While tonight’s Old Trafford encounter concludes Gameweek 23, we’re already looking ahead to the next set of fixtures with the launch of our latest Captain Poll.
With 45% of the votes Harry Kane (13.0) dominated last time out and a trip to Southampton this weekend is set to ensure he remains a leading figure.
The Spurs striker has amassed an impressive eight goals across his last four starts, including a hat-trick against the Saints as recently as Gameweek 20.
Certainly, Mauricio Pellegrino’s side should prove obliging hosts – they have mustered just a single clean sheet in their last 11 at St Mary’s and have conceded 15 goals in their previous seven Gameweeks.
That looks ideal for Kane, who continues to register extraordinary numbers to match his prolific form – he has fired more shots (47) and efforts in the box (30) away from home than any other player.
The Spurs midfield should also garner interest. Dele Alli (9.0) has an excellent record against the Saints, scoring five goals over his last four league meetings. His successful strike and two assists in the reverse fixture in Gameweek 20 delivered a 15-point haul, his best of the campaign.
Son Heung-min (8.1) is another in-form Spurs asset, after scoring three times and registering as many assists in his last four league matches. However, just one of his eight goals has arrived in away matches.
Liverpool may no longer have their ‘fab four’ after Philippe Coutinho’s departure to Barcelona, but the spectacular performance of the remaining trio, Mohamed Salah (10.1), Sadio Mane (9.3) and Roberto Firmino (9.1), in their 4-3 Anfield victory over league leaders Manchester City yesterday, made a very convincing case.
Similar to Spurs, Liverpool also put five goals past their upcoming opponents in Gameweek 20.
The third top captain for Gameweek 23 with 8.6% backing, Salah is likely to lead the charge once again for next Monday night’s trip to Swansea City – a goal and assist on Sunday helped him to a tenth double-figure haul.
Already more than 70,000 FPL managers have swooped for Salah ahead of Saturday’s deadline. Those transfers follow sales of over 179,000+ after he missed the Gameweek 22 trip to Burnley through injury.
Now up to second in the FPL forward standings, Firmino’s goal and assist against City has also attracted new owners. The Brazilian netted twice against the Swans and has played a part in two goals in four of his last five starts.
With attacking returns in each of his last three outings, including a goal in yesterday’s victory, Mane – with just 7% ownership – remains a strong differential option against a Swansea side with one clean sheet in 10 attempts.
After their first defeat of the campaign, Manchester City will be keen to reassert their dominance in an encounter with Newcastle on Saturday evening.
That should see Sergio Aguero (11.7) emerge as a key challenger at the top of our poll, with his starting role remaining secure in light of Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
The Argentine has four goals and two assists from his last seven and will collide with a Magpies defence that has just one clean sheet and has shipped 12 goals in their last six away trips.
Raheem Sterling (8.9) is another strong candidate in the City ranks, with nine of his 14 goals scored at the Etihad Stadium – no player has scored more times in home matches. Kevin De Bruyne (10.2) is another consideration – he has created 42 chances at home, a league-high he shares with Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas.
The list of viable armband options continues on the south coast when Chelsea pay visit to Brighton.
Marcos Alonso (7.3) will be the latest player to attempt to punish the Seagulls’ frailty at set-pieces. Chris Hughton’s men have now conceded 16 goals from set-plays, more than any other team. Alonso’s prowess – both in the box on the end of dead-ball deliveries and from direct free-kicks – could be a factor at the Amex Stadium.
That Brighton weakness – coupled with his aerial prowess – could help Alvaro Morata (10.5) break his recent dry spell. The Spaniard is without a goal in four starts in all competitions and failed to muster a single shot against Leicester City on Saturday.
Eden Hazard’s (10.7) form is no more convincing – he has just a single goal and an assist from his last seven Gameweeks but could still be a key figure in Saturday’s clash. He’s ranked fifth along with Son for shots in the box (11) over the previous four Gameweeks.
Man United’s home meeting with Stoke tonight completes Gameweek 23 and offers a good opportunity to size up Jesse Lingard’s (6.4) captaincy credentials ahead of a trip to Burnley. He has been involved in more than half of United’s league goals since cementing a starting role in Gameweek 14, including a brace against the Clarets in the reverse fixture.
Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku (11.3) has hinted at a return to form with a goal and assist off the bench against Derby in the FA Cup. Paul Pogba (8.0) is another contender – eight of his nine assists have arrived on the road.
Other alternatives for the armband include Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez (8.6), who hosts a Watford side that has conceded 13 goals in the last six Gameweeks. The Algerian has delivered attacking returns in eight of his previous ten league run outs.
A 16-point haul from Marko Arnautovic (7.0), thanks to a goal and two assists against Huddersfield at the weekend, also boosts his potential as a differential captain.
At home to a Bournemouth side with just two clean sheets in their 11 away days, the Austrian has six goals and an assist from his previous seven starts, delivering 62 FPL points from a central striker role.
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 24 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
