A little later in the week than usual, it’s time to review the armband candidates for the weekend and launch our latest Captain Poll.
The reason for the delay was an attempt to glean more information on Harry Kane’s (12.6) recovery from a hamstring injury, sustained against Liverpool in Gameweek 9.
Owned by 28%, Spurs striker returned to training on Tuesday and starts tonight’s Champions League tie with Real Madrid. That means that he will surely be available for this weekend’s home clash with Crystal Palace, giving us the confidence to include him in our review and poll.
With a brace, an assist and maximum bonus in his last home run-out in the league – the 4-1 demolition of Jurgen Klopp’s side – Kane has emerged as the early poll favourite.
In addition, his opponent Palace have shipped a combined nine goals away to the two Manchester clubs under Roy Hodgson and have allowed 34 shots on target on the road – no side has conceded more.
Should doubts linger over Kane’s minutes or even his prospects at Wembley, alternatives include team-mate Christian Eriksen (9.7), who has claimed two assists and three goals already this season.
However, his recent deeper role over the last two Gameweeks does, perhaps, cast some doubt on his potential. In which case Dele Alli (9.3) – with three goals and an assist – could also be a consideration.
Looking at the Gameweek fixtures, Spurs assets certainly look the most enticing options, with many rival big-hitters facing testing and hard-to-call encounters.
Manchester United’s visit to Chelsea is likely to limit the confidence in striker Romelu Lukaku (11.7), who sits in 52% of squads.
During the Red Devils’ clashes with top-four rivals, manager Jose Mourinho has adopted a more defensive stance, drawing 0-0 away to Liverpool and scraping a 1-0 against Spurs last weekend. A similarly conservative approach is expected at Stamford Bridge.
The Belgian has delivered attacking returns in eight out of 10 league matches, however, he last earned a double-digit haul back in Gameweek 5. No goals in Lukaku’s last six outings in all competitions is also a factor that will doubtless deter backers.
The prospect of Mourinho adopting such ‘bus parking’ tactics also limits confidence in Chelsea’s attack, with Eden Hazard (10.6) and Alvaro Morata (10.3) the most likely candidates.
However, with a goal and seven chances created against Bournemouth in Gameweek 10, Hazard’s form may well find a way around Mourinho’s tactics – and perhaps Ander Herrera’s man-making – on this occasion.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s trip to Manchester City makes Alexis Sanchez (11.8) and Alexandre Lacazette (10.4) major risks for the captaincy.
At home, Pep Guardiola’s defence have handed opponents just six shots on target. Meanwhile, the Gunners have only found the net in two of their five road trips and have just one victory outside of the Emirates.
With 21 goals from five matches at the Etihad, City’s attacking assets have a far stronger case for challenging Kane at the summit, particularly as Arsene Wenger’s defence have already shipped nine goals on the road.
But with the threat of rotation looming large, it may well be that many will swerve the many options on offer.
Sergio Aguero (11.8) might just be the exception – depending on his minutes in tonight’s Champions League tie. He was captained by more than 770,000 managers in Gameweek 10, but remained on the bench at The Hawthorns.
However, the Argentine could be vying for City’s all-time scoring record on Sunday should he fail to score in Napoli tonight. He leads the line in Rome.
Meanwhile Leroy Sane surely has to be fancied as a midfield option – he has double-figure returns in his last four Gameweek outings at the Etihad Stadium. However, his start tonight is his ninth in the last ten matches and with Gabriel Jesus benched, Guardiola could yet spring another surprise with his selection for Sunday’s clash.
Considering that the highest scorer among Gameweek 10’s top five captaincy choices was Lukaku – with a mere five points – managers may even look to a differential.
Despite his missed penalty against Huddersfield, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (9.2) continues to look a solid option. The Egyptian still returned an assist against the Terriers and collides with a West Ham defence that has conceded six in their last three home matches.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy (8.6) is another candidate to tempt risk-takers after netting for the first time in four outings against Everton. The England striker travels to face Stoke at the bet365 stadium having scored in three of his last four encounters with Mark Hughes’ defence.
Having delivered attacking returns in each of his last three Gameweeks, Vardy’s team-mate Riyad Mahrez (8.4) could also garner interest.
For the Potters, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (5.7) could be a factor, with only Kane and Lukaku firing off more shots in front of their own fans than the Cameroon winger. Owned by 6%, he was back as Hughes’ central striker in the 1-0 win at Watford on Saturday.
Talking of the Hornets, Richarlison (6.4) was a major disappointment in that defeat to Stoke. Indeed, he’s failed to register a single shot on target at Vicarage Road this season. But on his travels, he has been devastating, making him a potentially lucrative captaincy option ahead of his visit to Goodison Park.
Richarlison boasts 22 attempts in away matches – only Kane can match that – and has already scored three goals and assisted a further two.
Everton’s defence have shipped ten goals in home matches, the second worst tally behind Watford themselves.
The poll is now live in the middle column on your homepage on desktop, or via the slide-in menu on mobile and tablet under Recent Comments.
Remember, we are looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.
We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later ahead of the Gameweek 11 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
