Captain Poll – Gameweek 18

Earlier this morning, we launched our latest Captain Poll to gauge your views on the optimum armband options for Gameweek 18.

Eden Hazard has emerged as the early leader as Chelsea prepare for the visit of Southampton – despite back-to-back blanks against West Ham and Huddersfield Town curtailing his recent momentum, the Belgian has claimed 33% of the votes cast so far.

Up against a defence with one clean sheet in 12 Gameweeks, Hazard will surely be a factor in Saturday’s clash, particularly if Alvaro Morata fails to earn a recall after his rest and back problems in midweek. Hazard served up 15 points against Newcastle in the Blues’ previous home match and has three double-figure hauls from his last seven starts.

Yet Morata, if he starts, can rival his team-mate – he’s scored in two of the last three home matches, firing efforts against Man United and Newcastle. Only Sergio Aguero has produced more shots in the box than Morata (15 to 14) over their respective last four matches. However, there is a degree of risk involved in handing the armband to a player who could possibly be preserved and introduced from the bench.

Arsenal’s home match with Newcastle looks encouraging for owners of Sead Kolasinac and Alexandre Lacazette.

The pair were rested to the bench for the midweek draw at West Ham and boast fine records at the Emirates Stadium – Kolasinac has averaged 7.25 points per match in front of his own fans, while Lacazette has netted six times, producing points in six of eight appearances.

Up against a defence with one clean sheet in 13 Gameweeks, Alexis Sanchez (2.8% owned) cannot be overlooked as a powerful differential – he’s the leading midfielder for shots on goal (16) over his last four matches and sits second for chances created (13).

A trip to Bournemouth hands Mohamed Salah the chance to bounce back from Liverpool’s disappointing goalless draw at home to West Brom.

The second top captain pick by FPL managers in each of the last three Gameweeks, the Egyptian has served up 33 points in his last three road trips, producing points in all but one of the last nine Gameweeks.

Meanwhile, his team-mate Philippe Coutinho has bagged three double-figure tallies in his last four away appearances.

Furthermore, no side has conceded more goal attempts at home than the Cherries’ 117.

Man City and Spurs’ big-hitters understandably face a tough task to convince us of their armband credentials for their Etihad head-to-head.

Harry Kane’s blank at home to Brighton won’t help his cause, yet, once again, the underlying stats could barely be stronger – no player has fired more shots (23) or efforts on target (eight) in their last four matches.

The Spurs striker has already delivered three double-digit hauls on the road and faces a defence that’s hardly been resilient at home of late, managing just one clean sheet in five.

Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva are City’s form players – indeed, the central midfield pair are now the top scoring players for Pep Guardiola’s side, with 103 and 102 FPL points respectively.

Silva has netted four times in the last three Gameweeks, though it’s De Bruyne who has been more explosive of late, with a trio of 10+ points hauls in his previous seven league outings.

Back in the goals with a midweek winner against Bournemouth, Romelu Lukaku now travels to his former club West Brom on Sunday afternoon.

Alan Pardew’s side may have rebuffed Liverpool at Anfield, but they’ve been less impressive at The Hawthorns, conceding at least twice in all but one of the last five.

Riyad Mahrez and Wayne Rooney have rolled back the FPL years in recent weeks, climbing to fifth among midfielders and forwards respectively.

Second only to David Silva for new owners in midfield, Mahrez has averaged 6.1 ppm under new manager Claude Puel. The Algerian has bagged three goals and an assist in four ahead of a home encounter with Crystal Palace.

The Eagles are also nursing defensive injuries, with Mamadou Sakho and Joel Ward ruled out and Timothy Fosu-Mensah a major doubt. Despite being overshadowed by Mahrez, those potential absentees also make Jamie Vardy a consideration as a differential captain.

As for Rooney, he has racked up five goals and an assist in the previous four, including a Gameweek 14 hat-trick against West Ham at Goodison. On Monday evening, he entertains a Swansea City outfit that’s without a clean sheet in their last five on the road.

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 18 deadline when we deliver tomorrow’s “Captain Sensible” article, offering analysis of the results and the numbers behind the leading contenders.