Our Friday evening members regular, analysing the armband options in the Gameweek ahead, arrives once again. We continue with a three-part approach, taking in the weekly poll standings, the Opta player statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the Captain conundrum.

The first section is free to view for all visitors to the site and will analyse the chief protagonists, as selected in our Gameweek poll. The latter two parts are restricted to our members, as we delve deeper into the Opta and Rate My Team data.

The Captain Poll

For the first time this term, the Captain Poll is less conclusive as four teams are represented in the top five places. Wayne Rooney takes top spot for the second time in three Gameweeks – despite last week’s blank at Sunderland, the United man has received over 36% of the votes cast as Louis van Gaal’s side make their way to promoted Burnley. Team-mate Juan Mata earns just over 3% of votes by comparison, though he has scored seven times in his last eight league appearances.

City pair Stevan Jovetic and Sergio Aguero are also prevalent in our armband thoughts. After bagging a brace against Liverpool – and, crucially, starting both matches so far – Jovetic is narrowly ahead of the Argentine by 14% to 10%. Aguero’s two goals in just 31 minutes off the bench sums up his points potential, though, and there’s a feeling he could run riot against Stoke if let off the leash from the first whistle. Given how protective Manuel Pellegrini has been so far, there’s no doubt Aguero is the riskier of the two but he certainly has the ability to deliver if afforded the pitch time by his manager.

Aaron Ramsey splits the City pair in third spot. Suspended for Arsenal’s midweek Champions League win over Besiktas, he’ll be fully refreshed as the Gunners roll up to Leicester on Sunday and is looking to get on the scoresheet for the third successive Gameweek.

Gylfi Sigurdsson sits fifth in the Poll after picking up the points in both his appearances so far. With a home clash against West Brom on the horizon, Garry Monk’s side will be looking to the playmaker to lead them to a third successive win – Sigurdsson has convinced 7% of backers to hand him the armband against the Baggies.

With so much uncertainty surrounding Diego Costa’s minutes this weekend, few look likely to opt for a Chelsea player as their Gameweek 3 captain – Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard have been selected by 2% and 1% respectively. Similarly, faith in Tottenham and Liverpool’s attackers seems limited as the pair go head-to-head at the Lane – Erik Lamela leads the way from our contenders with 1% of votes, suggesting the Argentine, along with the likes of Christian Eriksen, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling, could be a real left-field armband pick this weekend if Sunday’s encounter can serve up the goals.