With the international break nearing its conclusion, we’ve launched our latest captain poll to canvas your opinion on the likely favourites and differential options for the armband in Gameweek 8.
Alexis Sanchez (11.3) topped the Captain Poll in the previous round of fixtures, yet disappointed by blanking away to Burnley.
Nonetheless, we fully expect the 22.1% Fantasy Premier League owned Arsenal midfielder to be among the leading captaincy candidates this time out. A favourable home tie against Swansea City is a key factor, as is his strong recent form, with three goals and an assist in the last three league outings.
Sanchez was rested in the Premier League after the last international break, but that was partly due to the Gunners playing Paris Saint Germain away in the Champions League the following Tuesday. With Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets at home next Wednesday in the European competition, another rest in the league seems unlikely.
For those without the Chilean, Arsenal’s 7.7 priced Theo Walcott looks an enticing differential prospect for the captaincy.
Owned by just 8.1% of FPL managers, the winger has racked up three goals and as many assists this season and seems to be enjoying a security of starts that has been lacking in recent years.
Patience is wearing thin with Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.5), who has only one goal in his last five league outings, despite registering more shots than any other player over that period.
With a 50.2% ownership, he remains FPL’s most popular pick and is once again likely to attract interest for the captaincy. A trip to Anfield up suggests it would be surprising to see him among Gameweek 8’s frontrunners, given that lack of output.
Liverpool’s midfield stars are arguably more likely to attract interest, with Philippe Coutinho (8.3), Roberto Firmino (8.4) and Sadio Mane (9.0) scoring nine goals between them this season.
As we’ve seen time and again already, though, picking the correct Reds option in any given Gameweek is proving tricky and many owners may be deterred from handing Reds attackers the armband.
Sergio Aguero (13.1) loves Gameweek 8, putting four past Tottenham at home in 2014 and five against visitors Newcastle last season.
The 43.4% owned Manchester City striker’s has netted five times in as many matches ahead of a favourable home encounter with Everton on Saturday. As we discussed in this morning’s Scout Notes, though, Aguero is currently nursing a minor calf injury picked up in training while on international duty, with his owners now anxiously awaiting updates.
His team-mate Raheem Sterling (8.6) is another with a slight calf injury. If he can shake it off before this weekend, the 26.4% owned midfielder presents another strong captaincy option, with three assists and four goals already this term.
Others expected to figure strongly in this week’s poll include Diego Costa (10.1).
The 29.2% owned Chelsea striker may be one booking away from a ban but, having netted for Spain last night, has maintained the form that has harvested points in six of the first seven Gameweeks. No side has conceded more away from home than the reigning champions this season.
West Ham’s visit to Crystal Palace presents two strong differential candidates in Hammers midfielder Dimitri Payet and Eagles striker Christian Benteke (7.6).
Payet (9.4) has created more chances than any other player over the last four league matches and has also assisted three times. Crystal Palace’s failure to register a clean sheet this season further boosts the prospects of the 13.2% owned midfielder, who continued his rise to form by netting for France in the recent internationals.
Meanwhile, 6.9% owned Benteke will be hoping to add to a record of three goals in his last four starts, as he squares up to a West Ham side that has conceded a league-worst 17 goals this season, nine of which were shipped on the road.
We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later this week, as we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering our view of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
