This morning we take a look at our latest captain poll, assessing the likely favourites for the armband in Gameweek 3.
You can find the poll in the middle column of the homepage or at the bottom of the homepage on mobile. Remember, we are looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.
We predicted that Sergio Aguero (13.1) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.6) would slug it out at the summit of the Gameweek 2 captain poll. They not only dominated voting but both excelled, bringing in a brace, maximum bonus and a 26-point Fantasy Premier League haul to those who chose to captain them.
We expect more of the same this Gameweek as Manchester City’s Aguero hosts a West Ham side that has looked disjointed due to injuries so far this campaign.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United frontman, who at 51% ownership has overtaken the 50.2% owned Aguero as FPL’s most popular player, visits a Hull side that have won both their opening fixtures. In the big Swede’s favour, the Tigers have conceding the third highest number of shots in the box of any Premier League side to date.
However, there could be a third protagonist to upset this duo’s dominance, with the 22.9% owned Eden Hazard (10.1) bringing in attacking points in both matches under Antonio Conte. The Chelsea wide man entertains a Burnley outfit that have conceded more shots than any side this season.
For those eyeing up a differential armband candidate, Southampton midfielders Dusan Tadic (7.4) and Nathan Redmond (6.1) look ideally placed. Although Tadic has yet to register attacking returns, his strong underlying statistics suggest that could change when Sunderland visit. The Serbian’s ownership in FPL is now down to just 4.6% after being discarded by more than 42,000 managers.
Nathan Redmond, who sits in 11% of FPL managers’ sides, has a goal to his name already and looks set to profit from his out of position striker role in this potentially prosperous encounter.
Ibrahimovic’s team mate Paul Pogba (8.5) offers another intriguing alternative armband option, following a strong debut in Gameweek 2 at home to Southampton.
After two matches without a goal, the 16.4% owned Harry Kane (11.0) will be lucky to register significant interest. The Spurs striker has continued to struggle in front of goal without the suspended Mousa Dembele in the side and, in Gameweek 2, his star waned further when he was forced into a number 10 role to accommodate Vincent Janssen (8.0), who was Tottenham’s most attacking player against Crystal Palace. Visitors Liverpool have already shipped five goals this season, but it could be the 1.9% owned Janssen who prospers rather than Kane.
Another of last season’s stars to fall out of favour this term is Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, who has been jettisoned by 35,000 FPL managers already this Gameweek on the back of two relatively poor displays from last season’s champions. A home tie against Swansea, however, could be the ideal fixture for the 27.9% owned midfielder to prove he is worthy of a price hike to 9.5 this season.
