Our pre-Gameweek members article, which focuses on the main captaincy contenders, arrives once again this afternoon. 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
Sergio Aguero sits atop the summit for the third successive Gameweek but enjoys a significantly lower share of the vote (34% down from 58%) than our last Captain Poll. Primarily, this can be attributed to the tougher fixture in this round of fixtures – Gameweek 4 saw the Sky Blues play host to Watford yet they contend with a road tie against an in-form Crystal Palace outfit this weekend. The 2014/15 Golden Boot winner has registered just once in three starts but hopes are high of a return to form after he served up three goals and four assists in two matches for Argentina over the break. City’s marquee signing Kevin de Bruyne (2%) finds a place in the the top ten, with team-mate David Silva – who had earned 3% of votes – now ruled out through injury.
Alexis Sanchez is yet to grace the scoresheet this campaign but that hasn’t deterred 19% of voters from backing the Arsenal midfielder. The Chile international stands as the sole representative from the Gunners among the top ten ahead of a home clash against Stoke City, highlighting the lack of faith in an attack that’s tallied just three goals in four matches. No side has amassed more attempts (83) and shots inside the box (56) than Arsenal, though, suggesting Sanchez will be afforded every chance to score against the Potters.
Riyad Mahrez (5%), Bafetimbi Gomis and Pedro (both 4%) complete our top five. Mahrez boasts four goals in as many outings this season and will fancy his chances at home to an Aston Villa defence that’s kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 matches. Pedro, meanwhile, is favoured over Eden Hazard (2%) and Diego Costa (1%) for a trip to Everton, having recorded one goal and two assists for the Blues already. Gomis edges out Andre Ayew (3%) as the choice pick among Swansea’s attack. The French marksman – who’s the only player to net in every Gameweek – will be tested during a visit to a Watford outfit that have yet to concede at home.
Lying fifth, sixth and seventh, respectively in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) forward ownership charts, Harry Kane (1%), Callum Wilson (4%) and Romelu Lukaku (2%) have been backed by a handful of voters. Kane threatens to tee-off against a Sunderland back line that’s conceded the most goals (10) and shots inside the box (49) when Spurs travel up north, while Lukaku could profit at home to a Chelsea defence that’s conceded three more big chances (13) than any side in the league. Those managers handing Wilson the armband will point to his four goals in the previous two Gameweeks and the fact that Bournemouth face off against Norwich, who’ve shipped four goals in two home encounters.
