The first of two members articles to be published this Friday evening takes time out to assess the optimum armband options available for the upcoming round of matches.
To get underway, we begin by checking in with the main Captain Poll contenders, then take a look at the Opta numbers and Rate My Team rankings before suggesting a differential or two to add to the mix.
The Captain Poll
Once again, Alexis Sanchez is the stand-out candidate in our weekly Captain Poll as Arsenal prepare for a plum home encounter with a travel-sick Burnley.
Selected by 36% of voters, the Chilean has produced points in eight of the last nine Gameweeks and now faces a defence that has shipped 20 goals in nine road trips.
Olivier Giroud remains a real differential, having recovered from the ankle knock that forced him off against Swansea City last weekend – selected by just 2% of voters, the Frenchman has netted in each of the last four Gameweeks.
It’s a similar story at Chelsea, where earlier concerns over Diego Costa’s back problem earn him just 5% of votes for the visit of Hull City, with Eden Hazard giving Sanchez chase on 12%.
Certainly, the Belgian is far more explosive at the Bridge. He’s bagged four double-figure hauls in front of his own supporters, whereas Costa has yet to chalk up more than nine points at home.
There’s no doubting Costa’s consistency, though – he’s scored or assisted in all but one of his nine home appearances and has been passed fit to face the Tigers. Whether he starts is another matter entirely.
A trip to Stoke City sees Zlatan Ibrahimovic sitting in third spot on 8%.
The top scoring forward in Fantasy Premier League, Ibrahimovic has bagged seven goals in his previous five road trips and produced double-figures on three of those occasions.
Philippe Coutinho is the preferred Liverpool pick for Saturday lunchtime’s visit of Swansea City.
Handed a first start since November in the midweek FA Cup win over Plymouth Argyle, the Brazilian earns 6% of votes – he produced three sets of double-figure hauls in his four home appearances prior to limping off against Sunderland at Anfield in Gameweek 13.
Adam Lallana and Roberto Firmino hover around the 3% mark.
Lallana has scored or assisted in six of his seven home starts this season, and while Firmino has little form to boast of, Coutinho’s return is likely to see him take up the “false 9” role once again – he bagged a goal and assisted against Swansea back in Gameweek 7.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku and Harry Kane are also shaping up as major differentials ahead of trips to Crystal Palace and Manchester City’s unconvincing rearguards.
Selected by 3%, Lukaku has five goals and an assist in seven, producing points in three of the last four as the focal point for Everton’s thriving attack.
Kane has racked up six goals and an assist in four, delivering 16 and 17-point hauls against Watford and West Brom over that period ahead of his Etihad visit.
It’s a sign of City’s struggles under Pep Guardiola that Sergio Aguero is backed by 1% of voters for the home clash against Spurs.
Although he’s been far more efficient on the road, the Argentine has netted just three times in front of his own fans this season, with a nine-point haul against Sunderland in Gameweek 1 his highest return at the Etihad.
