Once again, we roll out our pre-Gameweek members article this lunchtime, 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

For the first time this season, Mesut Ozil (26%) boasts the strongest backing in our Captain Poll. The former Real Madrid playmaker has just two goals to his name this term, but the unparalleled consistency of his creative output (13 assists in 12 outings) renders him a reliable source of Fantasy returns. Those managers bestowing Ozil the armband are banking on Arsenal rebounding from their heavy defeat at Southampton last Gameweek.

By virtue of the Gunners’ favourable home match-up against Bournemouth, Olivier Giroud (7%) is also among the top five captaincy selections. The France international came up short at St Mary’s Stadium but lays claim to seven goals in 10 starts. Aaron Ramsey (two goals in four) sits one place back with a 4% backing, while Theo Walcott (one goal in two) enjoys 2% of the vote.

Romelu Lukaku scoops 14% of the vote as Everton square up to Stoke City at Goodison Park. The ex-Chelsea recruit has drawn just three blanks since Gameweek 7 but could struggle to breach a Potters rearguard that’s recorded eight clean sheets in the past 11 Gameweeks.

Harry Kane’s brace against Norwich City convinced 13% of voters to give him the nod ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s trip to Watford. Spurs haven’t lost on their travels since the opening Gameweek of the season and tallied nine goals in their previous four away matches, which bodes well for the Englishman’s attacking prospects.

Sergio Aguero (8%) missed out against Sunderland but is expected to be “100% fit” for Manchester City’s trip to Leicester. The Argentine has been hamstrung by injuries this term but is more than capable of producing explosive returns in limited pitch time. Fresh from his 16-point haul (one goal, two assists) against the Black Cats, Kevin De Bruyne (5%) bolsters the Sky Blues’ representation on the leaderboard.

Odion Ighalo and Philippe Coutinho both secured 2% of the vote. The former faces a tough home match-up against Spurs but has already delivered the goods against Everton, Liverpool and Chelsea in his debut top-flight season. The latter has drawn three blanks on the trot but will fancy his chances against a Sunderland defence that ranks top for goals conceded (37).

Somewhat surprisingly, Riyad Mahrez has been selected to by just 2% of voters for the home clash against a City side that’s earned just two points from their last five away matches. The Algerian has already produced four sets of double-figures in front of his own fans ahead of Tuesday evening’s encounter.