Our weekly analysis of the Captaincy contenders arrives 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.
The Captain Poll
Under normal circumstances, Diego Costa would be the runaway leader in this week’s Captain Poll but, as we know, things are not quite straightforward when it comes to Jose Mourinho. Nonetheless, having returned to training yesterday, faith in the Chelsea striker is building and he leads the way ahead of a plum home clash with a QPR defence that have shipped at least two goals in all four of their road trips. After scoring in each of his four home appearances, Costa leads the way with 29% of the votes cast so far.
Elsewhere for Chelsea, Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas have earned 9% and 6% of the votes cast. The latter has been the most consistent, with a goal or assist in seven of his nine appearances, though Hazard delivered a double-figure haul in his previous match at the Bridge and has spot-kick duties to fall back on.
Alexis Sanchez sits in second as Arsenal prepare for the visit of Burnley. Subject to huge investment this week after taking his tally to five goals in his last six appearances with a brace against Sunderland, the Chilean has been backed by 20% heading into the weekend. Over 5% have opted for Danny Welbeck, though his form is a little disconcerting – he’s picked up points in only two of his six appearances since arriving in north London.
In third spot, Sergio Aguero remains firmly in our thoughts in spite of a surprise blank against West Ham. Up against a United defence that have picked up just three points on their travels, the Argentine has persuaded over 14% to hand him the armband – although his four-goal haul against Spurs is fresh in the memory, Aguero has stuttered at the Etihad and has scored in only two of his four home matches.
Further down, the likes of Graziano Pelle and Raheem Sterling are still in contention ahead of trips to Hull and Newcastle. Pelle has picked up points in six of his previous seven now and stands atop the Fantasy Premier League standings on 59 points, though the Tigers have tightened up since reverting to a three-man backline and have kept out their opponents in two of their last three. Sterling, with just two assists in the previous four, will be optimistic of returning to form against a Magpies backline with a single shut-out in seven.
