Our pre-Gameweek members article, which focuses on the main captaincy contenders arrives once again this afternoon. As always, we take a three-part approach – the first section will be free for all visitors to the site and will analyse the chief protagonists in our Gameweek Captain Poll, though the latter two parts will be members-only, as we delve deeper into the Opta and Rate My Team projections.
The Captain Poll
With a whopping 58% of the vote, Sergio Aguero is the overwhelming favourite to post a big total this Gameweek. Indeed, the Sky Blues’ home tie against Watford could serve as the perfect platform for the former Atletico Madrid marksman to explode into life this term, following his blank against Everton last weekend. Although the Hornets boast back-to-back clean sheets, they face an entirely more threatening proposition in the league’s form side, who rank joint-first for shots on target (24) and second for big chances (seven). The favourable nature of City’s match-up also finds David Silva and Yaya Toure (both 3%) backed as armband differentials.
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is second favourite, way back on 5%. Despite failing to score in two of their three matches so far, Arsenal have tallied more attempts (62) and shots inside the box (42) than any side in the league, which suggests the Chilean will be afforded a host of shooting opportunities at St James’ Park.
Chelsea’s Pedro (4%) takes third spot after his eye-catching debut at the Hawthorns racked up a 13-point return, courtesy of a goal, an assist and maximum bonus. A home clash against Crystal Palace – who have notched just two clean sheet in 21 league matches since Alan Pardew was appointed – could well harvest further returns for the defending champions. Eden Hazard owners will be observing Pedro’s performances closely over the coming weeks, given the Spaniard’s potential to serve as a cheaper route into the Blues’ midfield. Hazard and Diego Costa (3% apiece ) will be looking to push on after both recorded their first attacking returns of the season against the Baggies. The Blues placed second for shots inside the box (10) last Gameweek – despite contending with a one-man disadvantage from the 53rd-minute mark – which bodes well for the Eagles’ visit.
Riyad Mahrez has been tipped by just under 4% of the voters. Leicester City’s man of the moment ranks top of the league’s scoring charts, with four goals in three outings already matching his output from last term. The Algerian international will undoubtedly hit a dry patch at some point, yet with Bournemouth – who conceded three goals against West Ham last weekend – next on the Foxes’ agenda, Mahrez’ burgeoning ownership will be quietly confident.
Further down the list, there’s not much to separate Christian Benteke and Callum Wilson (2% apiece) who had contrasting fortunes in the last round of fixtures. The former spurned a gilt-edge chance to open the scoring against Arsenal, while the latter netted with three of his four attempts at goal. Benteke owners, though, will fancy the Belgian’s chances at home to a Hammers defence that’s been breached six times over the past two Gameweeks. Wilson’s growing throng of admirers will hope for more of the same as the Cherries play host to Leicester.
Wayne Rooney (1%) has plummeted down the Captain’s Poll in the wake of three successive blanks. The 10.4-priced frontman is the most transferred-out Fantasy recruit this week, reflecting the waning faith in his capacity to become a prolific scorer once more. Nonetheless, a hat-trick against Club Brugge in midweek could serve as the catalyst to kick-start his campaign, with a trip to Swansea next up for Manchester United.
Stoke duo Xherdan Shaqiri and Mame Biram Diouf also earn 1% of the votes cast ahead of the home derby with West Brom.
