Our latest captain poll has now launched to gauge your opinion on the favourites and differential options for the Gameweek 10 armband.
Arsenal’s dynamic duo of 23.8% owned Alexis Sanchez (11.3) and Theo Walcott (8.1) were the top two choices for the captaincy in Gameweek 9 and are expected to be popular once again, despite both drawing blanks at home to Middlesbrough at the weekend.
Their failure to score was not for want of trying as the pair fired off seven goal attempts between them, with all of 21.2% owned Walcott’s three shots finding the target. Away to a Sunderland side with no clean sheets this season, they seem primed to pick up points.
Another likely candidate for the summit is 29.6% owned Romelu Lukaku (9.7), who earned an assist against Burnley’s resolute defence on Saturday. With West Ham visiting he should also have more chances, as the London side have conceded nine goals across their four away fixtures this term.
Burnley may be rock solid defensively at home but away from Turf Moor it is another matter. They have shipped nine on the road and travel to a wounded Manchester United side eager to restore pride after their 4-0 away defeat to Chelsea at the weekend.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.3) has lost a further 36,144 FPL owners this week already, but with a 39.2% ownership he is still likely to be a popular captaincy pick among managers overall. We anticipate it may be a different story with our poll, after five league outings in a row without a goal.
Paul Pogba (8.3) and Marcos Rashford (6.9) offer differential options for those that believe the Red Devils can overcome Sunday’s humiliation. Both have an FPL ownership just below 10%.
Two teams with an even worse away record than Burnley present another glut of armband options.
No side has conceded more than Leicester’s 13 away goals and with the Foxes visiting Tottenham, Christian Eriksen (8.2), Dele Alli (8.2) and Heung-min Son (7.7) all step forward as viable captaincy candidates. With 20 points over his last three league appearances, Alli looks the pick of this trio.
The other travel sick side is Hull, who face a Watford side that has scored in all their home league matches this season. The Tigers’ concession of 12 goals on the road therefore gives the Hornet’s penalty taking striker Troy Deeney (7.1) significant potential for returns.
For those who want to take a risk on placing the armband on a defender, Hornets wing-back Jose Holebas (4.6) also looks enticing, with 27 points in his last three league matches.
Manchester City’s stock as the prime route to captaincy candidates has taken a knock in recent weeks with 43.9% owned Sergio Aguero (13.1) last finding the net in the league back in Gameweek 6.
If fit, Kevin De Bruyne (10.7) may offer a more secure option – the 10.1% owned Belgian was substituted against Southampton on Sunday after suffering a knock but looks likely to return when City travel to West Brom.
A final mention goes to the roulette wheel that is Liverpool’s options. With a visit to a Crystal Palace side without a clean sheet this term Sadio Mane (9.0), Philippe Coutino (8.4) and Roberto Firmino (8.5) all look strong candidates. But which will emerge with the biggest points haul from game to game remains one of this season’s key mysteries.
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.
