Our weekly analysis of the Captaincy contenders is rolled out once again this evening. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.
Captain Poll
Yet again, Diego Costa is the favourite heading into the weekend’s matches. A home clash with Arsenal refuses to deter his backers – the Spain international has scored in all three of his appearances at the Bridge and faces a Gunners defence with a single shut-out to their name all season.
Sergio Aguero runs him close, though. City’s star striker has earned a significant number of new owners this week due to the fall-out from Wayne Rooney’s three-match suspension and has received 21% of the votes cast to Costa’s 24%. Aguero’s strike at Hull was his fourth of the season and he now pays visit to a Villa side reeling from back-to-back 3-0 defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea. Edin Dzeko is backed by just 3% by comparison, despite outscoring Aguero by 13 points to eight in the KC win.
Leicester’s Leonardo Ulloa is also highly fancied. Like Costa, he’s netted in all three matches in front of his own fans – having grabbed goals against Everton, Arsenal and Man United at the King Power Stadium, he welcomes a Burnley side that shipped four against the Baggies last Sunday.
Three goals in five starts ensures Raheem Sterling remains on the radar as Liverpool attempt to rediscover the form that served up 100 goals last season. The teenager entertains West Brom this time round, but with the visitors chalking up consecutive shut-outs, just 11% are looking to hand him the armband. United’s home clash with Everton also sees Angel Di Maria (5%) and Radamel Falcao (4%) feature prominently, though just 1% have placed their faith in Robin van Persie, despite the Dutchman scoring in each of the last two Gameweeks.
