Captain Sensible – Gameweek 12

Up next this Friday evening, we turn to our pre-deadline members’ article focusing on the captaincy dilemma for Gameweek ahead.

To kick things off, we analyse the main contenders in this week’s Captain Poll, then check out the Opta numbers and current Rate My Team (RMT) rankings before suggesting some differentials that could help solve the armband conundrum.

The Captain Poll

Romelu Lukaku leads the way in our Gameweek 12 Captain Poll ahead of Manchester United’s home encounter with Newcastle United on Saturday evening.

Despite failing to score in his last seven matches for the Old Trafford outfit, Lukaku has earned the backing of over 27% after returning to the scoresheet with three goals for Belgium over the international break.

He’s scored or assisted in four of five home league fixtures for the Red Devils, averaging 7.2 points per match (ppm) in front of his own supporters.

Harry Kane (20%) and Mohamed Salah (15%) are clearly regarded as his main rivals.

Kane makes his way to Arsenal boasting a fine record on the road. The Spurs frontman has netted twice in each of his last three away appearances and has scored in all five derby league clashes against the Gunners.

Salah, meanwhile, has earned more transfers in than any player in Gameweek 12 (223,000+) after being rested from international duties for Egypt over the break.

Shifted into a central role away to West Ham, he served up a season-high 15 points at the London Stadium – that’s his fifth double-digit return of the season ahead of an Anfield encounter with Southampton.

Further down our poll, Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (7%) built on his match-winner against Man United by getting on the scoresheet for his country over the recent break.

The Spaniard also has a fine away record, claiming 28 points in his last three on the road, and is the top transfer target up front ahead of a trip to West Brom – over 162,000 have acquired him since the last deadline passed.

Sergio Aguero’s (5%) away record could profit at Leicester City.

Recovered from his midweek bout of dizziness, the Man City striker has racked up 30 points in his previous three road trips and netted 15 of his 20 league goals on the road last term. However, his minutes at the King Power Stadium are far from assured, despite being declared available by Pep Guardiola earlier on Friday.

Leroy Sane, the top scoring player in FPL, is backed by just 2% despite a run of four double-figure hauls in the last six Gameweeks.

Aside from those six, no other player has earned more than 1% of the votes cast, which suggests that a number of differentials could be worth considering if you are willing to take a punt.

Watford’s Richarlison hosts a West Ham outfit that have conceded more goals (23) than any other side.

Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane (if fit) can emerge as alternatives to team-mates Morata and Salah.

Hazard bagged double-digits in his previous away match at Bournemouth ahead of the West Brom trip. Mane, meanwhile, returned to action with a 10-point tally against the Hammers in Gameweek 11.

Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has netted in both his home appearances since returning from injury and how entertains Everton’s dodgy defence.

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy scored a hat-trick at home to Man City in the corresponding fixture last season.

And Brighton’s Pascal Gross has mirrored Lukaku’s 7.2 ppm at home as Stoke roll up to the Amex Stadium on Monday night.