It’s time to turn to our usual pre-Gameweek members article next, as we cast an eye over the captaincy conundrum ahead of the weekend’s round of fixtures. 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 light of the data analysis, including our view on differential captains.
The Captain Poll
With a home match against Aston Villa on his agenda, Sergio Aguero is the runaway winner of this week’s Captain Poll.
Despite blanking at Anfield in midweek, the Argentine has still served up six goals in as many matches and has been backed up a massive 72% of voters against a side that already has one foot in the Championship and has picked up three points from their last 13 away matches.
Given that overwhelming margin of victory in the Poll, it’ll be a very brave Fantasy manager that goes against the City striker in Gameweek 29 as Manuel Pellegrini’s men attempt to salvage their flagging title bid.
Harry Kane is placed in second spot with a mere 5% of votes ahead of the north London derby. A win over injury-hit Arsenal would take Spurs six points clear of their rivals, though Kane’s lack of consistency at home – producing points in only five of 14 appearances at White Hart Lane this season – is a real cause for concern.
With eight goals and four assists in ten, Diego Costa (3%) has the form to rival Aguero as Chelsea welcome Stoke to the Bridge. Guus Hiddink conceded earlier today that he’ll start the Spain international tomorrow but went on to say that he may not play the full 90 minutes ahead of next week’s crucial Champions League clash with PSG – thus placing unnecessary doubt over Costa’s armband claim.
The likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson (2%) could be one to consider as Swansea play host to Norwich. With five goals and an assist in nine, he was afforded a second-half sub outing in the 2-1 win at Arsenal and will be fully refreshed to torment the Canaries’ dire defence.
Roberto Firmino, meanwhile, is backed by a mere 1% ahead of a trip to Palace, despite bagging four goals and as many assists in his last five outings. Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez are also being overlooked as Arsenal and Leicester hit the road in a bid to reignite their respective title tilts.
Are the current standings backed by the underlying statistics? Let’s start breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches and shed a little more clarity on the situation.
