Next up this Friday, we roll out our usual pre-Gameweek members article and analyse the captaincy conundrum ahead of tomorrow’s deadline. As usual, we delve into 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

Alexis Sanchez leads the pack by some distance in the Gameweek 36 Captain Poll.

At home to a Norwich side with a single clean sheet on their travels all season, the Chilean has earned over 45% of the votes cast so far. Despite failing to get amongst the points in Sunday’s goalless draw at Sunderland, Sanchez has scored or assisted in seven of his last eight outings and has earned 39 points in his previous three at the Emirates.

Sergio Aguero is some way behind in second spot. Although he got amongst the goals at home to Stoke last week, the Argentine’s 69th-minute withdrawal against the Potters prior to last Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Real Madrid has persuaded just 11% to hand him the armband for a trip to St Mary’s, bearing in mind the return leg in Spain is three days later.

Romelu Lukaku (8%) takes third spot for Everton’s home match against Bournemouth. Granted, the Belgian has no form to speak of – having drawn blanks in each of his last five in the league – but a total of seven efforts in last week’s cup loss to United at least suggests his threat is on the rise.

Daniel Sturridge is backed by only 4% due to concerns over Jurgen Klopp’s team sheet for Liverpool’s trip to Swansea. The England international was an unused sub in the first leg in Spain last night, though, which perhaps bodes well for his domestic minutes as he looks to continue a fine recent record of five goals and two assists in six league outings.

Despite scoring eight times in the last seven, Harry Kane earns just 2% of votes for Tottenham’s trip to Chelsea. The Blues have just one clean sheet in ten – against Villa – though if Leicester clinch the league at Old Trafford the day before, there would be major question marks over Spurs’ morale at the Bridge.

Elsewhere, West Ham duo Dimitri Payet and Andy Carroll could be overlooked options for the trip to West Brom. Payet has four double-figure hauls on his travels already – including two in his last four – whilst Carroll’s aerial threat could thrive from the Frenchman’s delivery against the Baggies as he seeks to extend his run of six goals in the last five league matches.

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

We begin by breaking down the player and team data for their respective last four matches in order to shed a little more light on the situation.