With Premier League action finally resuming this weekend we have launched our latest Captain Poll to gauge your views on the best armband options for Gameweek 32.
After a sensational Fantasy Premier League haul of 29 points at home to Watford last time out, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (10.7) looks set to dominate the voting.
Four goals against the Hornets took his league tally to 28 and a commanding position in the Golden Boot race, four ahead of Spurs’ Harry Kane.
Next up in the league for the Egyptian, who scored in his country’s 2-1 loss to Portugal on Friday, is a trip to a Crystal Palace side that has only one clean sheet in their last eight matches. Over that period the Eagles have conceded 15 goals, the third worst record in the league.
Salah, meanwhile, has proved to be as devastating on the road as he has been at Anfield. Away from home, he has had more big chances (16) than any other player and is second only to Kane in terms of goals (11 to 13), shots in the box (37 to 42) and efforts on target (20 to 23).
His team-mates Roberto Firmino (9.7), who scored his 14th goal of the campaign in last weekend’s Watford encounter, and Sadio Mane (9.5), who recorded two assists in that game, could also garner interest.
However, there is a slight caveat to entrusting a Liverpool asset with the armband this weekend, as there is the possibility of rotation ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie against Manchester City, which takes place the following Wednesday.
The same fear may curtail interest in Sky Blues players. But with a favourable visit to Everton, they still merit consideration.
The Toffees have just one shut-out in their last four Goodison Park encounters, while on the road Pep Guardiola’s troops are the top side for shots (250), efforts in the box (149) and attempts on target (90).
David Silva (8.1) is their most prolific player away from home of late, with six goals over his last four road trips, the same number his team-mate Sergio Aguero has scored away from the Etihad Stadium all season. However, the Spaniard’s withdrawal from international duty this week for personal reasons may dent confidence in the playmaker.
Another City man to impress over their last four away matches is Leroy Sane (8.6), who scored twice over that timeframe from nine shots.
Arsenal’s Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang (10.6) is likely to put in a strong challenge for the summit against relegation-embattled Stoke at the Emirates Stadium. The former Borussia Dortmund striker is cup-tied for his side’s Europa League campaign, which should ensure he leads the line on Sunday.
A pair of nine-point returns in his last two league outings underlines his captaincy credentials, as does the Potters’ poor form on the road. Over their last six away days Paul Lambert’s men have shipped 12 goals, kept just one clean sheet and conceded 111 shots, with only West Ham (115) allowing more over that period.
Aubameyang is this week’s second bought player among, attracting over 143,000 new owners.
The most popular, with 152,000+ transfers in, is Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku (11.4), who is on a fine run of form with four goals and three assists over the last eight Gameweeks. He collides with a Swansea City defence that have managed just a single clean sheet in their last 12 away matches.
Chelsea’s home clash with Spurs looks tough to call and may see their assets struggle for votes. However, with an average of 3.6 goals a game in their last five meetings, there is merit in entrusting one of their attacking options with the armband.
For the hosts, Willian (7.1) has been making the most of his recent opportunities, with three goals and an assist in his last four starts. Although he has only made the first XI on 16 occasions this season, the Brazilian’s recent form should ensure he is among the first to be selected by Antonio Conte for Sunday’s match.
Three double-digit FPL points hauls, six goals and assist over his last nine matches also makes Eden Hazard (10.6) a key captaincy candidate to consider.
Spurs’ main contender for votes is likely to be Son Heung-min (8.3), who has notched four goals in as many league matches and looks set to lead the line in the absence of the injured Harry Kane. With more than 84,000 new owners since Gameweek 31, the South Korean is the most popular midfield acquisition among FPL managers.
Dele Alli (8.9)’s two goals and an assist in his last four, means that he can never be ruled out of the reckoning.
Christian Eriksen (9.4)’s two goals over his last four in the league, coupled with a brace in the FA Cup sixth round against Swansea this month, makes him another strong alternative option among the Spurs ranks.
Leicester’s trip to Brighton presents voters with a raft of further differential candidates, in particular, the hosts’ number ten Pascal Gross (6.0). Over his last six run outs the German has a goal, three assists and, along with Eriksen, has delivered the joint third highest number of key passes (18).
The main beneficiary of Gross’ creativity is likely to be the Seagulls’ veteran striker Glenn Murray (6.0), who has registered five goals over his last six games, an impressive tally only bettered by Salah and Aguero.
Claude Puel’s men have been in an obliging mood away from the King Power stadium, conceding 12 and keeping just one clean sheet.
But while suspect at the back, the Foxes boast two worthy armband candidates in attack. Over his last eight starts, winger Riyad Mahrez (8.9) has scored five goals and assisted a further three. Striker Jamie Vardy (8.8) has also impressed, scoring seven in his last 11.
Brighton’s failure to keep a clean sheet since Gameweek 21 enhances the case for captaining one of Leicester’s attacking duo.
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 32 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
