Our pre-Gameweek members article, which focuses on the captaincy conundrum, comes around again this Tuesday afternoon. As always, we analyse the Opta data for the main contenders and assess the team statistics and Rate My Team’s reckoning, before rounding off with our opinion on the current poll standings in the light of the data analysis, including our view on differential captains.

The Captain Poll

After scoring twice against both Palace and West Ham in the last couple of Gameweeks, Sergio Aguero is the runaway leader of this week’s Captain Poll ahead of a trip to Sunderland.

Over 53% of voters have opted for the in-form City striker after he brushed aside the armband challenges of Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku in Gameweek 22 and 23 respectively. Having also found the net in the midweek cup win over Everton, there’d be no surprise if Aguero now dominates this poll on a weekly basis from here on in – aside from his blank in Gameweek 27, of course.

Alexis Sanchez is a surprise candidate in second place. Having signalled his return from injury by emerging from the bench in last week’s loss to Chelsea, the Arsenal wide man’s goal and assist against Burnley in the FA Cup last weekend has persuaded nearly 11% to hand him the captaincy as Southampton visit the Emirates.

West Ham’s Dimitri Payet tucks in just behind the Chilean in third spot for a plum home clash with Villa. Aside from that goal and assist at Bournemouth in Gameweek 21, the 7%-backed Frenchman has blanked in five of his last six appearances.

Neck and neck with Aguero last time out, Lukaku’s home blank against Swansea has proved a major deterrent, with only 6% of voters willing to back the Belgian. Again, he lacks the form here and has scored in just once of his last six.

Further down, Harry Kane and Roberto Firmino offer in-form alternatives for those brave enough to overlook Aguero. Certainly, of the two, Kane’s trip to a Norwich side that’s just shipped five at home to Liverpool looks more likely to harvest Fantasy returns. Firmino may have two braces in three but a King Power clash with a Leicester defence that has conceded once in five Gameweeks looks a real test for the Brazilian.

Next up, we now delve into the data over the last four matches to shed further light on the situation and assess the validity of the current crop of poll results.