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
Fresh from his best score (14 points) of the campaign so far, Mesut Ozil boasts a commanding lead (47%) at the summit of the Captain Poll ahead of Arsenalβs home tie against Newcastle United. Aside from a blank against Southampton in Gameweek 18, the Germany international hasnβt failed to produce attacking returns since Gameweek 6, recording six 10+-point hauls in the process. The fact that the Magpies have already suffered two heavy defeats on the road this term (Man City: 6-1; Palace: 5-1) ensures that Olivier Giroud (4%) and Theo Walcott (2%) also place among the top 10 captaincy favourites.
Riyad Mahrez (20%) claims second spot by a clear margin prior to Leicester Cityβs home encounter against Bournemouth. The Algerian drew blanks against Man City and Liverpool in recent weeks but demonstrated his capacity for explosive returns with six goals in three starts from Gameweek 15. Similarly, Jamie Vardy (4%) hasnβt scored in three but will fancy his chances against a Cherries defence thatβs carded just two shut-outs since Gameweek 7.
Sergio Aguero hasnβt lasted beyond the 65-minute mark since his return from injury, but his unrivalled ability to deliver huge Fantasy returns earns him a 4% backing. Although the Sky Blues are matched up against a Watford outfit that conceded just two goals in their previous trio of home clashes, Agueroβs 13% ownership will reason that fixture difficulty is extraneous if their man can discover his groove.
Harry Kane (4%) sits just outside the top five as Tottenham Hotspur prepare for a trip to Everton. The Toffees will doubtless cause Spurs a myriad of problems on the offensive end, but their defence has proved their undoing of late, shipping seven goals in two home match-ups. Furthermore, Roberto Martinezβs men lay claim to just two clean sheets in the last 14 Gameweeks, bolstering Kaneβs Fantasy prospects.
Everton will hope that Romelu Lukaku (3%) emerges victorious as two of the leagueβs form marksmen duel at Goodison Park. The 9.3-priced frontman racked up 10 goals in nine starts but faces off against a Spurs side that ranks bottom for goals conceded (15) and secured two shut-outs in their previous trio of league ties.
Marko Arnautovic and Christian Benteke have been tipped by 2% of FFScoutβs readership. The former tallied four goals and one assist in his last five starts, rendering him an enticing route into Stoke Cityβs effervescent attack ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion. The latter has netted in consecutive starts and locks horns with a West Ham team thatβs registered just two clean sheets on home turf.
