We start preparations in earnest for Gameweek 14’s midweek fixtures with the launch of our Captain Poll, gauging your views on the best armband options ahead of tomorrow’s 6.45pm deadline.
Runaway leader of our Gameweek 13 poll, Harry Kane (12.8) rewarded the faith of the 22.5% of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers who captained him with a goal and two bonus points, firing eight shots in Spurs’ 1-1 draw with West Brom at Wembley.
This could see him challenge at the summit once again, ahead of a trip to a Leicester City side that have conceded 197 shots on goal this season – only Burnley (226) have allowed more.
The Spurs striker goes into the tie with devastating away form- he’s scored more goals (six) and had more shots on target (11) than any other player. In addition, only Watford’s Richarlison (28) has had more goal attempts on the road than Kane’s 27 shots.
It is also worth mentioning that the King Power Stadium was a happy hunting ground for Kane last season, having scored four in Spurs’ 6-1 rout of the Foxes.
All of the top four Premier League sides, Chelsea, Arsenal and the two Manchester clubs, also have favourable encounters in Gameweek 14, which will ensure there are plenty of heavyweight rivals for a top placing.
This is particularly the case for Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata (10.6) and Eden Hazard (10.7), with the Belgian thriving in a No 10 role working in tandem with the summer signing.
The Blues host a Swansea City defence that have, arguably, been fortunate to concede just five goals on the road, given that they are the fourth-worst side in terms of shots conceded (114).
With three successful strikes and as many assists over his last five league matches, Hazard looks primed to exploit the visitors’ fragility, as does Morata, who has produced two of his three double-figure hauls at Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, Morata and Hazard are two of the three most bought players for Gameweek 14, earning 167,000 and 78,000 new owners respectively.
Arsenal assets should also garner interest for their home tie with Huddersfield Town. Since being beaten 2-1 by Watford in Gameweek 8, Arsene Wenger’s side have won four of the subsequent five, scoring 11 and only lost to Manchester City over that period.
Owned by a mere 2%, Alexis Sanchez (11.8) continues to deliver points as a ready-made differential. The Chilean has produced two double-digit hauls in the last five Gameweeks and is looking to score for the third successive league match.
Alexandre Lacazette (10.3) may also gather votes, with two goals and an assist in his last five, while Aaron Ramsey (7.1) has mirrored Sanchez’s recent output, with a goal or assist in five of his last seven league appearances.
Rotation worries may limit interest in Manchester City assets for the armband ahead of their Wednesday night Etihad Stadium clash with Southampton. But with 42 goals this season – at least 14 more than any side – backing their attack could still pay off handsomely.
Raheem Sterling (8.1) is among their most consistent performers, with 12 goals from 18 appearances in all competitions, including three successful strikes and four assists in his last five.
However, some voters may worry that the winger – who has been picked up by more than 47,000 new FPL managers since Friday – could fall victim to Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy during this congested set of fixtures, having started their last five in all competitions.
With five double-digit points hauls this season, his fellow City winger Leroy Sane (9.0) could prove popular, even though the German earned just a solitary point, after receiving a yellow card, in City’s 2-1 away victory over Huddersfield on Sunday.
Of City’s two strikers, Gabriel Jesus (10.5) could be the more likely to start over Sergio Aguero (11.7), as Brazilian has been benched for his side’s last two games, including a midweek away Champions League clash with Feyenoord and the Terriers win, where he supplied an assist in a late cameo.
Across his 21 league appearances Jesus has been directly involved in 20 goals, scoring 15 and assisting five.
Although the Saints have only conceded six times on the road, their 3-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in Gameweek 12 will give hope to those willing to gamble on the content of Guardiola’s teamsheet and back a Sky Blues asset with the armband.
Watford’s concession of 11 goals in front of their own fans would ordinarily see Romelu Lukaku (11.5) challenge for the top of the poll when Manchester United drop by.
But with just one goal in his last six league run outs, interest may be muted. Since Friday, the Belgian has topped the transfers out (141,000) table amid reports of a possible charge of violent conduct following an altercation in the weekend win over Brighton.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (9.7) has proved a shrewd captaincy choice in recent matches, with six goals in his last five appearances.
The Egyptian, who has attracted more than 96,000 new owners since Friday, travels to a Stoke City side that has conceded 11 and kept just one clean sheet at home, with only Crystal Palace and Everton shipping more (12). The Potters are also the joint worst side, along with Newcastle United, in terms of conceding penalty area shots (57).
Alternative armband options include the Potters’ midfielder Eric Choupo-Moting (5.7), who is ranked fourth for shots in the box at home (19) and has produced two goals and three assists in his last five at the Bet365 stadium. No side have conceded more goals on the road than Liverpool’s 16.
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 tomorrow’s Gameweek 14 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
