As the hours tick down to another Gameweek deadline, it’s time to delve into the data in our next members article of the week.
We get underway by analysing the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then assess the Opta numbers and Rate My Team rankings before suggesting some differentials to help solve your armband conundrum.
The Captain Poll
Sergio Aguero is the runaway winner of this week’s Captain Poll as Man City prepare to host Middlesbrough at the Etihad.
After we’d dared to question his armband credentials, the Argentine returned to form in emphatic fashion, serving up two goals and an assist at the Hawthorns last weekend.
Over 66% of voters are favouring Aguero, who has, somewhat surprisingly, scored just one goal in four home outings. ‘Boro have also stepped up their resilience and roll up on the back of successive clean sheets, including one at the Emirates in their previous road trip.
Kevin De Bruyne could be a deadly differential with just 3% backing. The Belgian has delivered FPL returns in six of nine appearances, though has managed just a goal and two assists at the Etihad.
Philippe Coutinho (5%) takes second spot after upping his consistency in recent weeks.
The Liverpool midfielder entertains Watford in fine form, producing points in four of the last six league outings, and is looking for his third double-figure haul in four at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are favoured by around 1%.
The former has been more consistent, with a goal or assist in three of the last four, yet Mane’s home displays may be worth considering – he has returned 34 points in four appearances in front of his own fans.
Alexis Sanchez and Eden Hazard’s recent fine form has failed to convince.
Only 2% are willing to opt for the Chilean ahead of the north London derby. A return to the flank in midweek is a concern for a player who has scored just one of his six goals at the Emirates this season, though he’s expected to lead the line at the expense of Olivier Giroud on Sunday.
Hazard has now netted in three successive Gameweeks and hosts an Everton defence with one clean sheet in six.
Subject to heavy investment this week, the Chelsea wide man been far more reliable at the Bridge – Hazard has scored in four of five top-flight appearances at the Bridge under Antonio Conte.
Chelsea’s run of four straight shut-outs means that less than 1% are prepared to gamble on Romelu Lukaku against his former club, while Diego Costa is also very much overlooked, despite serving up points in eight of the opening 10 Gameweeks.
