We roll out our pre-Gameweek members article next, offering insight on the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.
First off, we cast an eye over the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then analyse the Opta numbers and check up on the Rate My Team ratings before suggesting a couple of differential options in light of the analysis.
The Captain Poll
Despite a disappointing blank at home to Middlesbrough last Saturday, Alexis Sanchez tops the Captain Poll once again for Gameweek 10.
The Arsenal attacker earns 36% of the votes cast ahead of a trip to struggling Sunderland – he’s averaged eight points per away appearance, bagging double-figure hauls at Watford and Hull.
Theo Walcott’s 10% backing was earned prior to today’s revelation that he’s a minor doubt for the Black Cats clash due to a hamstring problem. If fit, though, the winger could still profit – he’s picked up points in three of four road trips.
A home encounter with West Ham sees Romelu Lukaku split the Gunners duo.
So often a frustrating Fantasy pick in seasons gone by, the Everton frontman finally seems to have stepped up in consistency since the arrival of Ronald Koeman – he’s scored or assisted in five of the last six and has collected 11% of votes.
Lukaku clearly loves facing the Hammers, too – he has scored in all eight appearances against the London club since moving to Merseyside.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic limps home in fifth spot with a mere 7% backing – a damning indictment of our lack of faith in a frontman who has scored once in seven appearances.
United’s home clash with a Burnley side that’s conceded nine goals in three away fixtures gives the veteran one more chance to justify his lofty valuation. With 38% FPL ownership, a big performance could have a significant say in the overall rankings.
Liverpool’s in-form trio Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are once again looking major differentials as they travel to a Palace defence still without a clean sheet.
With so much uncertainty over who to captain in any given Gameweek, few are willing to roll the dice, with Coutinho the most popular armband choice on just 3%.
A home clash with Hull City bring Troy Deeney (5%) into contention.
The Tigers have conceded 11 goals in their last two away matches, while the Watford skipper has netted in each of his last two at Vicarage Road, with strikes against Man United and Bournemouth.
Chelsea pair Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are also overlooked. The Belgian has scored in four successive matches for club and country, while Costa has bagged four of his seven goals on the road.
Nonetheless, a trip to Southampton looks far from straightforward – Claude Puel’s men restricted Man City to a single goal at the Etihad and have conceded more than once in just one of the last seven Gameweeks.
