This afternoon we publish our usual pre-Gameweek members article, which focuses on the main captaincy contenders according to the votes cast in our Captain Poll. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.
The Captain Poll
Sergio Aguero (53%) reclaims the top spot in our Captain Poll ahead of Manchester City’s home tie against Newcastle United. Although the 13.2-priced forward has recorded five successive league blanks, his owners will be hoping he can kick on after scoring a midweek Champions League winner against Wolfsburg.
The favourable nature of the Sky Blues’ match-up finds Kevin De Bruyne – who’s netted in three of his four starts since arriving from Wolfsburg – sitting in silver-medal position with 10% of the votes. Fit-again David Silva (2%) also makes an appearance, given that the Magpies have conceded twice in five of the first seven Gameweeks.
Dimitri Payet lies in third place for the second successive Gameweek, with 7% of voters liking the Frenchman’s chances away to Sunderland, bearing in mind that the Wearsiders have conceded more goals (16) than any team so far. Payet has delivered attacking returns in all but two of his starts this campaign, underlining the consistency of his output. Diafra Sakho is backed by only 1% of the voters despite notching in three of the four Gameweeks, including strikes on the road against Liverpool and City.
Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy are both backed by 4% of voters as Leicester prepare to lock horns with Norwich at Carrow Road. The former has served up five double-figure hauls already, while the latter netted five goals in his previous four outings. The Canaries have yet to register a single clean sheet in the first seven Gameweeks.
Despite bagging a hat-trick last time out against Leicester, Alexis Sanchez scooped just 3% of the votes as Arsenal entertain a United side that’s conceded just five goals this term.
Notching a brace against Aston Villa in just his second league start since vacating the treatment room, Daniel Sturridge has encouraged 1% of to hand him the armband for the Merseyside derby, given that hosts Everton have yet to record a home clean sheet.
Anthony Martial (1%) – who sat atop the summit last Gameweek – plummets down the rankings by virtue of the Red Devils’ much more challenging match-up. The Gunners have conceded just two goals in their home clashes this term, yet the former Monaco frontman looks in fine fettle and has produced points in all three of his appearances so far.
