It’s time for out pre-Gameweek members’ article now as we run the rule over the main captaincy candidates for the upcoming round of fixtures.
First up, we check in with the form of the leading contenders in our Captain Poll, then delve into the Opta data and Rate My Team ratings before considering a differential or two for Gameweek 30.
The Captain Poll
Our Gameweek 30 Captain Poll has proved no more than a procession for Harry Kane, who leads the way with 47% of the votes cast.
Having scored more goals on the road (13) than any player this season, the Spurs striker visits a Bournemouth backline with just one clean sheet in 16 attempts. Furthermore, he has netted six times in four league outings against the Cherries.
Liverpool’s trip to Man United ensures that, for once, Mohamed Salah (7%) is among the also-rans.
The Red Devils boas the league’s most resilient home defence, conceding just six times at Old Trafford and amassing ten clean sheets.
Yet Salah arrives in his most consistent form of the season, having scored in each of the last five Gameweeks. Meanwhile, United have managed just one clean sheet over that period.
Sergio Aguero is backed by 13% as Man City make their way to Stoke on Monday night.
Rested from midweek Champions League duties, the Argentine has bagged eight goals in the last six Gameweeks, though all of those have been scored in front of his own fans.
Aguero has one double-digit haul on the road this term – Salah has five and Kane four – though has strong form at the bet365, bagging a brace in both his previous visits.
Arsenal’s Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang (3%) earns a rare top five place in our Poll. At home to a Watford defence with a single clean sheet in their last seven on the road, the winter signing has scored in two of his four appearances since arriving from Borussia Dortmund.
Eden Hazard and Riyad Mahrez are backed by 5% and 3% respectively ahead of favourable weekend fixtures.
Hazard is expected to return to a central support role at home to Crystal Palace, after a disastrous stint as a “false 9” at Man City last Sunday.
The Belgian has five goals and an assist in the last six Gameweeks, including a 16-point return against West Brom in his previous outing at Stamford Bridge.
Interest in Mahrez is on the rise after his last-minute leveler against Bournemouth salvaged Leicester a draw in Gameweek 28.
The Algerian has served up attacking returns in ten of his last 13 starts ahead of a trip to West Bromwich Albion – a side he’s already scored against in Gameweek 8.
His team-mate Jamie Vardy, meanwhile, has scored in each of his visits to The Hawthorns over the previous three seasons.
