A little earlier than usual this Friday afternoon, we turn to our pre-Gameweeks members article focussing on the captaincy dilemma. First up, we analyse the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then assess the Opta numbers and the current Rate My Team rankings before suggesting some differentials to help solve the armband conundrum.
The Captain Poll
Normal service resumes in this week’s Captain Poll as Alexis Sanchez returns to the summit ahead of Arsenal’s home clash with Hull.
After blanking for only the second time in 12 Gameweeks away to Chelsea last weekend, over 35% are backing the Chilean to deliver against a spirited Tigers defence that’s kept out United and Liverpool in the last two Gameweeks.
For all his consistency, Sanchez has scored just once in his last five home appearances – a last-minute penalty against Burnley in Gameweek 22.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives chase on 22% as United entertain a Watford defence with a single clean sheet in 12.
The Swede has served up points in 10 of his last 13 appearances but, like Sanchez, he’s been less explosive of late and failed to hit double-figures in each of the previous six Gameweeks.
Ibrahimovic’s team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan is shaping up as a differential candidate. Selected by 1% voters and owned by less than 3% FPL managers, the Armenian bagged his highest haul of the season at Leicester last weekend.
City’s man of the moment, Gabriel Jesus, claims third spot with 10%.
Three goals and an assist in two appearances have sparked an almighty bandwagon despite the fact that Pep Guardiola’s men sit out Gameweek 26.
Up against an injury-hit Bournemouth defence that’s shipped six at Everton and conceded at least twice in seven of the last eight Gameweeks, the Brazilian’s display at the Vitality Stadium will have non-owners on edge come Monday evening.
Gylfi Sigurdsson (8%) looks to score for a fourth successive Gameweek as Swansea City welcome Leicester City to the Liberty.
The Icelandic international has served up double-figure hauls in three of the last six home outings and will fancy his chances against a defence that’s conceded three goals in three of their previous four on the road.
Everton’s four-goal hero Romelu Lukaku earns just 7% of the votes ahead of a testing trip to Middlesbrough.
There’s no doubting the big Belgian’s form but ‘Boro have been fairly resilient in front of their own fans, conceding just 14 times in 12 matches.
Diego Costa collects 3% of the votes for Chelsea’s trip to a Burnley side that has conceded just once in their last four at Turf Moor.
With just two goals on his travels all season, Eden Hazard earns just 1% backing this time around.
Elsewhere, Jermain Defoe (1%) continues to be overlooked ahead of a home clash with Southampton.
The veteran has netted six times in as many matches and is seeking a fourth double-figure haul in front of his own supporters.
Harry Kane also remains on the periphery. Selected by less than 1% voters, the Spurs striker heads to Anfield on the back of seven goals and an assist in the previous seven Gameweeks.
