Captain Sensible – Gameweek 35

Up next this busy Friday afternoon, we roll out our usual pre-Gameweek members article as we cast an eye over the captaincy conundrum ahead of a reduced round of fixtures. As usual, 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.

Captain Poll

Sergio Aguero holds a substantial lead at the summit with over 44% of the votes cast ahead of a home clash with Stoke. Although City have a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening, the Argentine’s six goals in the last four look too good to ignore against a defence that’s conceded four times against both Liverpool and Spurs in their last two matches.

With 28% of the votes, Harry Kane is Aguero’s only real contender as Spurs prepare for the visit of West Brom. Although the Baggies have conceded just four times in five, Kane’s run of three double-figure hauls in five, which includes seven goals, an assist and 11 bonus points, suggests he’ll be a solid rival to the City striker.

Alexis Sanchez is some way back on a mere 5% despite netting three times across double Gameweek 34. The Arsenal midfielder has now racked up six goals and a couple of assists in his last six outings and travels to a Sunderland side with just a single clean sheet in their last nine at the Stadium of Light.

Southampton’s visit to Villa earns Graziano Pelle joint-third spot in the poll. With the midlands side having suffered the ignominy of relegation, the Italian is backed by 5% in light of four goals and three assists in his last five league outings.

Jurgen Klopp’s recent rotation policy means that Daniel Sturridge is another overlooked big-hitter. With Divock Origi ruled out, though, the England international may well lead the line at home to Newcastle – just 3% are willing to roll the dice on the 10.0-priced frontman, who has served up five goals and a pair of assists in six league appearances since returning from injury.

Further down, Pelle’s team-mate Sadio Mane is amongst a handful of candidates on the 1% mark. The Senegal international has netted three times in the last four now and bagged a hat-trick against Villa last season. Dele Alli is another differential option after his two-goal salvo at Stoke and is joined by the likes of Kevin de Bruyne, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez as all four prepare for home comforts.

Are these current standings backed by the underlying statistics, though?

Let’s start breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches and shed a little more light on the situation.