Itβs time for our pre-Gameweek members article now, as we assess the leading captaincy contenders for the weekend ahead. We take a three-part approach that 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 and Harry Kane went stride for stride in the Captain Poll, with both players attracting 19% of the votes cast.
The former clocked 62 minutes on his return from injury against Arsenal and next matches up to a Sunderland defence that shipped six goals in their previous two road ties. The latter, meanwhile, was back among the goals last weekend and faces a Norwich City outfit thatβs failed to secure a solitary clean sheet on the road.
Having netted six goals in three starts, Riyad Mahrez ranks a close third with 18% of the vote. The leagueβs form midfielder has tallied nine double-figure point hauls this term and will be relishing the prospect of travelling to Anfield, given that the Merseysiders registered just two shut-outs in their previous 14 league ties and are without their prime centre-back, Martin Skrtel.
Although heβs netted in seven successive Gameweeks and ranks fourth among the leagueβs full roster with regards to total score (115), Romelu Lukaku (10%) has to settle for fourth. The former Anderlecht frontman will fancy his chances against a Newcastle United outfit that places joint-second for goals conceded (32).
Despite drawing blanks in his last trio of starts, Kevin de Bruyne (10%) ranks fourth in our assessment. If the Sky Blues can propel themselves out of their malaise with a dominant offensive display against the Black Cats, then the Belgium international is more than likely to be central to their revival.
Mesut Ozil boasts a 4% backing ahead of Arsenalβs trip to Southampton. The Gunnersβ midfield conductor is on an astonishing run of form, having notched two goals and 13 assists in the last 11 Gameweeks. Ultimately, Ozilβs limited goal threat prevents him from reaching the upper echelons of our poll. In light of the fact that the Saints conceded in all but one of their previous seven home encounters, itβs somewhat surprising that Olivier Giroud β whoβs bagged seven goals in nine outings β has earned just 1% of the votes cast.
Odion Ighalo Bojan Krkic and Eden Hazard also sit further down in the voting. Ighalo has tallied four goals in five starts ahead of Watfordβs trip to Stamford Bridge, while Bojan squares up to a Manchester United rearguard thatβs been less dominant on the road. As for Hazard, heβs a surprise entry on the leaderboard, given that heβs contending with a hip injury and has scored once in 16 appearances.
