Our Friday pre-Gameweek members article comes around again, as we focus on the main captaincy contenders in accordance with our Captain Poll. 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
Alexis Sanchez (33%) sits atop the summit of our Captain Poll by virtue of his explosive returns in the past three Gameweeks – the Chilean forward has accrued six goals and 46 points over that stretch. Next on Arsenal’s agenda is a home tie against an Everton outfit that has only conceded in one of their road ties this campaign. Nonetheless, they’ll do well to rebuff the advances of a Gunners attack that’s amassed 11 goals in their previous trio of outings. Elsewhere in the north Londoners’ camp, Mesut Ozil (1%) also features in the top 10, having already matched his assist haul (six) from last season.
Jamie Vardy has attracted 29% of the votes in light of his eight goals in six starts. Leicester’s red-hot frontman only failed to deliver attacking returns on one occasion this campaign, underlining the consistency of his returns. Following his impactful second-half showing against Southampton, just under 5% of our voters expect Riyad Mahrez to deliver the goods in the Foxes’ home clash against Crystal Palace. Leicester racked up 10 goals in their previous four encounters at the King Power Stadium, which bodes well for the Eagles’ visit. Visiting boss Alan Pardew reckons we should “expect to see some goals” in this clash, which suits owners of the Leicester pair just fine.
Georginio Wijnaldum and Diego Costa (both 3%) look real differentials for the armband this week. The former boasts five strikes and one assist in three appearances, following his four-goal frenzy last time out, and faces a trip to a Sunderland side that’s yet to record a clean sheet this term. The latter, meanwhile, notched a goal and an assist on his return from suspension and will fancy his chances of scoring away to West Ham, given that the Irons conceded eight goals in their last four home match-ups.
Despite failing to register a single shot at home to Stoke City last Gameweek, Andew Ayew (2%) – who’s carded one goal in five outings – is the sixth most popular captaincy pick. This is a doubtless a reflection of the fact that Swansea City face a trip to Aston Villa, who are without a win on home soil.
Kevin De Bruyne has tallied three goals and as many assists in his previous four league starts but enjoys just 2% of the vote ahead of the Manchester derby. The fact that hosts Manchester United have conceded just one goal at home this term clearly serves as deterrent, although the corresponding fixture has played witness to nine goals in the last two years.
Harry Kane (1%) – who’s drawn blanks in eight of his nine starts – will look to kick-start his campaign when Tottenham Hotspur travel to Bournemouth on Sunday. The Cherries shipped eight goals in their last three fixtures, which also brings Christian Eriksen (two goals and a pair of assists in four) into contention with a 1% backing.
