Captain Poll – Gameweek 33

Earlier today, we launched our latest Captain Poll to gauge your views on the best armband candidates for Gameweek 33.

The number one captain pick in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) in five of the last six Gameweeks, Mohamed Salah will again be among the favourites with Liverpool facing a derby day trip to Everton.

A late winner at Crystal Palace last Saturday lunchtime means that the Egyptian has scored or assisted in 23 of 29 league starts on his way to the top of the FPL rankings.

Up against a Toffees defence that have just one clean sheet in the last 12 Gameweeks, Salah seeks a fifteenth double-figure haul of an incredible campaign.

Away from home, he is ranked second for goals (12), shots (46), efforts in the box (40) and is joint-top with Harry Kane for attempts on target, with 23.

Sadio Mane is the visitors’ other form player, serving up returns in five successive Gameweeks, totalling three goals and a trio of assists.

Spurs’ trip to Stoke brings their quartet of big-hitters into consideration, with Harry Kane expected to provide the main challenge to Salah for the armband.

After returning to action with minutes from the bench in the win at Chelsea, Kane looks set to lead the line against a defence that’s leaked more goals (61) than any other side.

Encouragingly for Kane’s backers, he has scored eight times in his last four league meetings with the Potters.

Furthermore, away from home, he is the top-ranked player for goals (13), shots (61) and efforts in the box (42).

The Spurs midfield could mount a challenge to their fit-again striker, though.

Dele Alli’s brace away to Chelsea took his tally to three goals and two assists in the last three Gameweeks. Meanwhile, Son Heung-min has 36 FPL points over that period and served up 16 points in a 5-1 home win over Stoke earlier in the season.

Then there is the consistent Christian Eriksen to consider. He was also on the scoresheet at Stamford Bridge and remains their top scoring midfielder, ranking fifth in that position overall.

A visit from Southampton’s travel-sick defence looks encouraging for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s growing legion of owners.

The third most bought player in Gameweek 33 so far, a brace at home to Stoke took his tally to five goals and an assist from six league outings for the Gunners. Averaging 6.5 points per match, Aubameyang takes on a defence with just a single clean sheet from their 13 road trips.

Leicester pair Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez welcome a Newcastle United side that have struggled for resilience on the road, claiming just a single shut-out in their previous 13 attempts.

Vardy’s strike at Brighton means that he’s now scored in six of the last eight Gameweeks, yet the Foxes frontman has offer minimal explosive potential – his one and only 10+ points haul was in the season opener against Arsenal.

Mahrez, meanwhile, has supplied returns in 11 of his last 15 league starts and has delivered five sets of double-digits thus far.

With uncertainty over the lone striker role, Man City’s midfield offers a host of eye-catching candidates as they attempt to clinch the title at home to neighbours United.

On the back of 44 points in the last four Gameweeks David Silva is the hosts’ form player. Yet the playmaker has been far from explosive at home, with just a single 10+ points haul at the Etihad.

By comparison, Kevin De Bruyne has delivered six sets of double-digits in front of his own fans, while Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane have five apiece.

That duo both found the net at Everton on Saturday to continue their recent form. Sane has three goals and as many assists in his last seven league outings, while Sterling has two goals and four assists in six.

Meanwhile, Romelu Lukaku looks the likeliest to breach the Man City backline for the visitors, having recorded four goals and two assists in his last six league matches.

A single assist – and three attempts on goal – in his last four league outings suggests that Eden Hazard may be a gamble at home to West Ham United. However, the visitors’ record on the road offers encouragement – David Moyes’ men have conceded 11 times in their last three away matches.

That also bodes well for Alvaro Morata, who has scored in back-to-back matches in all competitions since returning to the teamsheet.

Despite his brace against Southampton, the Hammers’ Marko Arnautovic looks set to remain a big differential for the Stamford Bridge encounter.

Nonetheless, eight goals and four assists in his last 11 league outings – and three strikes over the international break – underlines the Austrian’s form. Arnautovic fired four shots on target in Gameweek 32, more than any player, and he scored in the 1-0 win over the Blues in Gameweek 16.

Finally, Pascal Gross’ home comforts could be vital for Brighton against visitors Huddersfield this Saturday.

The summer signing has averaged 5.9 points per appearance at the Amex Stadium and is joint-top with De Bruyne for big chances created (12) in front of his own supporters.

Meanwhile, the Terriers arrive on the south coast having conceded in each of their last 13 away matches.

Our 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 33 deadline when we deliver Friday afternoon’s “Captain Sensible” article, offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind our leading contenders.