Next up this Friday it’s time for our pre-Gameweek members article, offering insight on the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.
We’ll take a look at the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, analyse the Opta numbers and check up on the Rate My Team ratings before offering up a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.
The Captain Poll
Sergio Aguero dominates the Gameweek 6 Captain Poll after serving out a three-match suspension against Swansea in the EFL Cup on Wednesday evening.
With nine goals in five appearances in all competitions under Pep Guardiola, there’s no surprise to see the City striker emerge as favourite for the armband, with over 48% of the votes cast so far ahead of his visit to the Liberty.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku have battled it out for runners-up spot all week, with the United man just edging it by 10% to 8%.
Expected to return to full training today after a minor toe injury, Lukaku racked up 29 points in Aguero’s two-Gameweek absence and travels to a Bournemouth outfit that have managed a single clean sheet so far.
Ibrahimovic faces a tougher task, though, as United welcome champions Leicester to Old Trafford. The big Swede has netted three times in two home appearances, whilst Claudio Ranieri’s men have lost both their away matches so far.
Liverpool’s home encounter with Hull brings Roberto Firmino (6%), Sadio Mane (3%) and Philippe Coutinho (2%) into contention as major differentials. Jurgen Klopp’s side are in devastating form in the final third and will fancy their chances against a defence that’s just shipped four at home to Arsenal.
Kevin De Bruyne has racked up returns in four successive Gameweeks and offers an in-form City alternative for those who are brave enough to overlook Aguero.
Rested for the midweek cup win over Swansea, Raheem Sterling has just 1% of the votes as he looks to serve up a third double-figure haul in four.
Etienne Capoue has also been selected by 1% for Watford’s trip to Burnley on Monday evening. The Frenchman has risen to the top of the Fantasy Premier League player standings on the back of some fixture-proof performances that have seen him score against Southampton, Chelsea, West Ham and Man United in the first five Gameweeks.
Dimitri Payet (four assists in the last two) and five-goal Michail Antonio also continue to remain under the radar as West Ham entertain a Southampton side that have lost both their roads trips so far.
