It’s time for the first pre-Gameweek members article of the 2016/17 season as we check out the main captaincy contenders on offer. As usual, we analyse the Opta numbers and also check up on the Rate My Team ratings before offering up a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.
The Captain Poll
Not surprisingly, Sergio Aguero is the outright frontrunner for our Gameweek 1 Captain Poll, with over 55% of the votes cast ahead of City’s home encounter against Sunderland.
The Argentine netted 15 of his 24 goals at the Etihad last time around and faces a Black Cats backline that was breached more times on their travels than any other side in 2015/16.
Sunderland managed just two away clean sheets all season and given that Aguero has scored in both his pre-season matches, we can’t see the visitors spoiling Pep Guardiola’s first match in charge.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic takes the runners-up spot ahead of his Premier League debut for United. The second most popular player in Fantasy Premier League, he’s selected by 14% after notching twice over the recent pre-season matches, including a Community Shield winner against Leicester.
Having already clinched the first silverware of the season, United will roll up to Dean Court in confident mood. Bournemouth boasted the second-worst home defence in the league last year – only Villa conceded more – and managed just four clean sheets in front of their own fans.
Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez head the chasing pack behind the big Swede.
Selected by just 5% and 4% respectively for Leicester’s trip to crisis club Hull, the duo look very viable differentials this weekend – both bagged double-figure goal hauls on their travels last term, with 12 of Mahrez’ 17 strikes arriving on the road.
Further down, Eden Hazard (3%) and Burnley’s Andre Gray (2%) offer form alternatives for their home encounters against West Ham and Swansea.
Having scored nine times over the summer, the latter, in particular, could prove a very brave punt – the Swans conceded in all nine away fixtures under Francesco Guidolin in 2015/16 and are reeling from the departure of former skipper Ashley Williams.
