Our Friday evening analysis of the armband options in the Gameweek ahead comes around again. The three-part approach, which takes in the weekly poll standings, the Opta player statistics and our Rate My Team projections, will hopefully help to 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 Captain Poll. The latter two parts are restricted to our members, as we delve deeper into the Opta and Rate My Team data.

Captain Poll

Judging by the voting in this week’s Captain Poll, there’s no real standout candidate as we head towards Gameweek 5. United’s Wayne Rooney just edges it at the summit – ahead of a trip to Leicester, he receives just over 21% of votes cast after grabbing a goal and assist in last week’s comprehensive home win over QPR.

Team-mate Angel di Maria picked up similar returns against the R’s and has persuaded 17% to hand him the captaincy – only just less than Chelsea’s prolific Diego Costa. Despite firing seven goals in four appearances, most Fantasy managers reckon the summer signing faces a tough task to continue his scoring streak as the Blues roll up to the Etihad, with many fearing Jose may park the bus again.

Further down, Emmanuel Adebayor, with a mere 7% FPL ownership, offers a strong differential alternative. Rested from Tottenham’s midweek Europa League match, he takes on an out-of-sorts West Brom backline that that conceded two or more goals in three out of four matches under new manager, Alan Irvine. Radamel Falcao also find a place in the top five for United’s visit to the King Power Stadium, despite finding himself on the bench last weekend.

Elsewhere, a trio of highly-owned midfielders are also in consideration. Gylfi Sigurdsson has delivered 16 points in his two appearances at the Liberty ahead of the visit of Southampton, whilst Aaron Ramsey – similar to the Swans playmaker – has scored or assisted in three of his four appearances as Arsenal make their way to Villa. After being rested from the starting XI last weekend, Raheem Sterling is a sure starter for Liverpool’s trip to West Ham – two goals in three appearances in the Reds’ starting line-up bodes well against a backline yet to keep out their opponents.

Danny Welbeck is the highest Arsenal player in this week’s Poll as the Gunners attempt to break down the league’s most resilient defence. Yet to open his account for Arsene Wenger’s side, the deadline-day signing is backed by over 4% of your votes – more than Sergio Aguero ahead of City’s clash with Chelsea, despite the Argentine scoring in three of his four league appearances.