Captain Poll – Gameweek 13

Preparations for Gameweek 13 get underway this morning with the launch of our Captain Poll to canvass your views on the armband options.

Those Fantasy managers who have captained Harry Kane (12.8) for his “kind” fixtures at Wembley Stadium will have their resolve tested once again when West Brom drop by Spurs’ temporary home.

Kane has failed to find the net against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, Swansea City and Burnley – all sides that, like the Baggies, have been happy to concede possession and soak up pressure on the road.

Yet West Brom’s recent record bodes well for Kane, who was handed the armband by 17.2% of Fantasy Premier League managers for the 2-0 North London Derby defeat by Arsenal.

The visitors have one clean sheet in 10 and have shipped a combined seven goals against Man City and Chelsea in the last three Gameweeks.

But this morning’s departure of Tony Pulis may help address that run and afford the Baggies a new lease of life.

Sold by more than 37,000 managers this week, Kane has had more shots (37) and efforts in the box (24) than any player in front of his own fans.

Yet Kane’s five blanks in six at Wembley may well open the door for Romelu Lukaku (11.7) to top the poll for the second Gameweek running and the 11th time in 13 Gameweeks.

The forward ended a seven-match goal drought for Manchester United with a strike in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle.

This weekend he faces another potentially favourable home clash, against Brighton. But with just six goals conceded and three clean sheets on the road, the Seagulls may still limit the Belgian’s potential.

Lukaku still builds a strong case – no player has scored more times at home (five) than the Belgian, who also leads the way for big chances (nine).

Paul Pogba’s (8.0) return helps to boost Lukaku’s stock, though he himself could also challenge for the summit after returning from injury to deliver a goal and an assist against Newcastle.

With three goals and four assists from five league starts, the Frenchman is already the most bought player for Gameweek 13, picking up more than 171,000 new owners.

Once again, rotation fears look set to limit the potential of Manchester City’s key targets, despite a favourable trip to a Huddersfield Town side that has conceded 14 times in their last six, including a 4-0 loss to Spurs at the John Smith’s Stadium in Gameweek 7.

However, second guessing their teamsheet may be a little simpler this weekend after Pep Guardiola admitted he will “change the team completely” for City’s Champions League encounter with Feyenoord on Tuesday in order to cope with the demanding schedule.

This indicates that Sergio Aguero (11.7), who was an unused substitute for City’s 2-0 away victory over Leicester City at the weekend, could be in line to start in midweek and potentially miss out in the league once again. More than 68,000 FPL managers have already ushered the Argentine to the exit this week – he’s started just one of their last five away matches in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, those listed on Pep’s teamsheet at the King Power Stadium look destined for another domestic start – if they’re overlooked on Tuesday.

Gabriel Jesus (10.5) has started every away match in the Premier League, scoring three times and assisting another, yet he has failed to produce double-figures on his travels.

Midfielders Leroy Sane (8.9), Raheem Sterling (8.1), David Silva (8.4) and Kevin De Bruyne (10.1) could easily outscore the Brazilian.

Of this quartet, Silva could be the most intriguing armband option. Away from home, he is City’s number one player for shots (17) and efforts in the box (13), and has already delivered five assists.

Elsewhere, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (9.6) moved to the top of the FPL standings thanks to a brace against Southampton at Anfield – his fifth double-digit points haul of the season.

The Egyptian is now the most popular midfielder in FPL – he sits in 43.8% of teams after earning 73,000 new owners this week alone. However, with a visit from a Chelsea side that has not conceded since N’Golo Kante returned from injury, Salah’s support and supply line could be restricted.

Similarly, interest in Blues’ pair Eden Hazard (10.6) and Alvaro Morata (10.5) may be muted, given that Jurgen Klopp’s troops have only conceded once in six matches at Anfield.

Both roll up to Merseyside in sensational away form, though – Hazard has 29 points in his last two, while Morata, the top player for big chances on the road (10), has blanked just once in five away trips on his way to the top of the FPL forward standings.

Watford’s Richarlison (6.5) looks a genuine alternative in the mid-price bracket for a trip to Newcastle United.

The Brazilian – whose goal against West Ham yesterday was his fifth of the campaign – boasts impressive numbers on the road. Away from home, he’s fired more shots in the box (20) than any other player and is averaging 7.2 points per appearance.

Having scored in each of his three Selhurst Park outings since returning from injury, Wilfried Zaha’s (6.8) strong home form cannot be ignored.

Stationed up front by Roy Hodgson again at the weekend, he is set to host a Stoke City side that, prior to their visit to Brighton tonight, have conceded 11 and kept just one clean sheet on their travels.

Finally, a hat-trick at home to Huddersfield at the weekend is likely to help Callum Wilson (5.9) garner votes. Acquired by over 52,000 new owners, the Bournemouth striker travels to a Swansea side that has shipped 10 and earned just one shut-out at the Liberty Stadium.

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 this Friday’s Gameweek 13 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.