Double Gameweek assets understandably dominate our latest Captain Poll, which launched this morning to gauge your views on the top armband options.
Manchester United options are among the early frontrunners with Jose Mourinho’s side treated to two kind fixtures, hosting West Brom on Sunday before travelling to Bournemouth the following Wednesday.
The Red Devils’ impressive 3-2 comeback victory against rivals Manchester City on Saturday is clearly fresh in voters’ minds.
This is particularly the case regarding Alexis Sanchez (11.5), who picked up a pair of assists and two bonus points to earn his second double-digit points haul in a row.
Despite failing to muster single shot in the Manchester derby, Romelu Lukaku (11.6)’s previous form and reputation for scoring against “lesser sides” has already attracted considerable attention.
In the six matches prior to the weekend, the Belgian accrued an impressive four goals, two assists and seven bonus points.
His backers should be particularly optimistic of returns when basement-dwellers West Brom visit Old Trafford. Darren Moore’s strugglers have just two clean sheets on the road this season as relegation looms.
Meanwhile, Lukaku has served up attacking returns in his last five home league encounters and scored against the Baggies in the reverse fixture.
The Bournemouth fixture also looks profitable. They have regularly surrendered goals and chances at the Vitality Stadium, with only Watford (30) shipping more in front of their own fans than Eddie Howe’s defence (28).
Paul Pogba (7.8) was another Red Devil to excel at the Etihad Stadium, firing a brace and claiming maximum bonus points.
The most bought midfielder ahead of Saturday’s deadline, the Frenchman has produced more shots (nine) and efforts on target (five) than any team-mate over United’s last four matches.
Golden Boot candidate Harry Kane (12.8), who is this week’s most bought player, is also garnering considerable interest ahead of his two encounters against Man City and Brighton.
Like Lukaku, the Spurs striker also supplied just a single point in Gameweek 33, although he continues to lay claim to Christian Eriksen’s second goal in their 2-1 away victory against Stoke on Saturday.
Still five strikes behind Mohamed Salah (24 to 29), Kane’s prospects at home to Man City were boosted after key midfielder Fernandinho was ruled out, having earned his tenth caution of the season.
Kane then travels to take on a Brighton defence that are yet to keep a clean sheet in the league during 2018.
Spurs midfield trio Christian Eriksen (9.4), Son Heung-min (8.4) and Dele Alli (9.0) should also attract attention, given their recent form.
Over their last four outings, Eriksen has produced three goals and an assist, Alli three goals and as many assists, while Son has found the net on four occasions.
Leicester City’s favourable Double Gameweek, which features a trip to Burnley and a home clash with relegation-threatened Southampton, should see Jamie Vardy (8.9) and Riyad Mahrez (9.0) pick up support.
Vardy has scored seven in his last nine league games and earned bonus on three occasions. Playmaker Mahrez has failed to deliver returns in his last two Gameweeks, but in his previous eight matches, he impressed with five goals and three assists.
Southampton have conceded three times in each of their two league matches under Mark Hughes, while Burnley boast just one shut-out since Gameweek 21.
Southampton and Burnley’s problems at the back should ensure that Chelsea’s assets receive backing for the captaincy, as they visit St Mary’s on Saturday lunchtime and then Turf Moor the following Thursday.
A 7.3% ownership makes Eden Hazard (10.6) a strong differential armband option. The Belgian is second for key passes (15) over the last four matches, with only Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne creating more (16).
Willian (7.2)’s 14 goal attempts over that period is the joint third best in the league, which should keep him in voters’ thoughts – the Brazilian had five shots and created six chances for team-mates against West Ham last time out.
Our poll also features a handful of single-Gameweek players, who have the potential to produce big returns from just the one fixture.
Heading this cast is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (10.6), who missed out last weekend due to a groin injury but is expected to feature on Tuesday against Manchester City in the Champions League. He produced 29 points – his 14th double-digit haul of the campaign – in his last home encounter and faces a Bournemouth defence that has allowed 75 shots in their previous four away matches – only Stoke have conceded more.
West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic (6.9) is another with the potential to overshadow those with two fixtures. He has three scores of 15 points or more since cementing his place in David Moyes side in Gameweek 16. A home encounter with his former club Stoke, who he scored against in the reverse fixture, should give the Austrian extra motivation.
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 34 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.
