It’s time for our pre-Gameweek members article now, as we assess the leading captaincy contenders for the weekend ahead. We take a three-part approach that includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.
For the second Gameweek running, Romelu Lukaku takes a commanding lead (39%) at the peak of our Captain Poll. The Belgian hitman has excelled since Everton’s schedule shifted in difficulty from Gameweek 11, carding four goals and two assists across three outings. A trip to Bournemouth on Saturday looks ripe for further attacking returns, given that the south-coast club rank top for goals conceded (27) this term.
He’s unlikely to last the distance at home to Southampton, but Sergio Aguero’s unparalleled goal threat has convinced 16% of voters to hand him the captain’s armband. The 13.1-priced forward enjoyed a wave of investment off the back of his sublime finish against Liverpool but faces a testing afternoon trying to break down a Saints rearguard that’s been breached just four times on their travels. Elsewhere in the Manchester City camp, confidence in Kevin De Bruyne (1%) has waned by virtue of a single assist in four matches.
Having bagged a brace for Arsenal in midweek, Alexis Sanchez (11%) – who’s expected to shake off a minor hamstring niggle – claimed the third biggest backing. The Chile international failed to deliver attacking returns in his previous quartet of starts but will fancy his chances against a Norwich City outfit that’s recorded one clean sheet throughout the campaign. Despite notching nine assists in his last seven outings, Mesut Ozil (5%) sits outside the top five due to his limited goal threat.
Harry Kane attracted 6% of the vote ahead of Tottenham Hotspur’s home tie against Chelsea. Although the Blues are displaying signs of resurgence with back-to-back wins and clean sheets, Kane has chalked up 12 goals in his last 14 London derbies and netted a brace and two assists in the corresponding fixture last season.
Odion Ighalo (5%) has been directly involved (six goals and three assists) in nine of Watford’s last 10 goals. The Hornets’ upcoming road clash against Aston Villa provides a platform for that trend to continue, given that the West Midlanders conceded 11 times in their previous five fixtures.
With four goals and an assist in three starts, Philippe Coutinho (3%) is the league’s form midfielder. A home tie against Swansea City bodes well for the Brazilian’s attacking prospects, yet a minor hamstring complaint diminishes his appeal. Coutinho’s compatriot Roberto Firmino (1%) makes his first appearance in our Captain Poll, having tallied a goal and two assists at the Etihad.
Jamie Vardy (2%) could set a new Premier League record for scoring in consecutive matches (11) when Leicester play host to Manchester United. The fact that the Red Devils conceded one goal in the last five Gameweeks suggests that Vardy will need to be on top form to eclipse Ruud van Nistelrooy’s achievement.
