Captain Poll – Gameweek 8

With just five days until we resume domestic action, we are launching our Captain Poll to find out your views on the top-ranked captaincy candidates for Gameweek 8.

Harry Kane (12.7) looks set to dominate our latest poll after scoring an astonishing 15 goals for club and country since the start of September.

Although he is yet to score in the league at Wembley, a visit from an obliging Bournemouth defence to Spurs’ temporary home could rectify that – the Cherries have shipped 11 and are among the five worst-ranked sides in terms of both shots and penalty area shots conceded.

Kane’s stoppage-time goal against Slovenia at Wembley last week, plus a brace at the national stadium against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, illustrates that he is more than capable of breaking his dry spell in “home” matches.

The striker has gathered 281,000+ new FPL managers during the international break, though those still yet to recruit Kane may instead turn to one of his supporting midfield cast, most notably Christian Eriksen (9.7) and the 27.4%-owned Dele Alli (9.5).

Eriksen sits in 25.7% of sides and is FPL’s top points scoring midfielder on the back of a pair of goals and three assists. The Dane also scored in both of his international appearances over the break.

Kane’s England team-mate Alli may also appeal. He has two goals and as many assists in the league, plus with his Champions League suspension still in place, he again looks assured of gaining the full 90-minutes against Bournemouth.

Manchester City assets look to be Kane’s main rivals at the summit as they face a Stoke City side that is second only to Crystal Palace in terms of conceding big chances, or gilt-edged opportunities.

However, a Champions League encounter with Napoli next week, coupled with City boss Pep Guardiola’s penchant for team tinkering, could calm our interest.

Gabriel Jesus (10.5), as City’s only fit centre-forward in the absence of the injured Sergio Aguero, should be guaranteed his start against the Potters. But his minutes may be curtailed given the midweek European tie, plus a long-haul flight to follow Brazil’s clash with Chile in Wednesday’s early hours.

Jesus, who has scored five times and registered an assist in 2017/18, has attracted more than 215,000 new FPL managers over the break.

Aguero’s lay-off, after fracturing a rib in a car accident, also enhances 6.1% owned Raheem Sterling’s (7.9) stock, as does the winger’s role as an unused substitute in England’s dead rubber World Cup qualifier against Lithuania last night. Despite making just four starts, Sterling has recorded five goals and 19 goal attempts – tallies that only the recuperating Aguero can better in City’s ranks.

David Silva (8.5) is another of Guardiola’s charges to consider. Like Sterling, he should be well rested come the weekend: Silva is suspended for Spain’s World Cup qualifier in Israel tonight.

The playmaker, who has claimed 119,000 new owners since the Gameweek 7 deadline, is the second highest FPL midfield points scorer on the back of six assists, more than any other player. He has also accumulated bonus points on four occasions.

Manchester United’s visit to Liverpool could reduce interest in Romelu Lukaku (11.8) given the former Everton striker’s poor track record of just one league goal at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s much-maligned defence have also performed far better in front of their own supporters. While they have shipped 11 goals on the road, Liverpool have conceded just once in home matches this term.

Lukaku has scored seven in as many league outing, but is nursing an ankle injury. He could well sit out Belgium’s qualifier with Cyprus tomorrow night before returning to Manchester for assessment prior to Saturday’s early kick-off.

With just two goals conceded and six clean sheets in seven, the resilient United defence will also reduce interest in Liverpool’s attack.

Both Philippe Coutinho (9.0) and Roberto Firmino (8.5) will endure long-haul flights prior to the 12.30 kick-off and are said to be returning by Thursday at the earliest.

Firmino’s stock is already in free fall following a run of four successive blanks. He has been sold by over 124,000 managers ahead of United’s visit, second only to the injured pairing of Aguero and Chelsea’s Alvaro Morata.

This should leave Sadio Mane (9.4) and Mohamed Salah (9.2) as the most popular Reds options; both have now completed their international exertions. Salah will feel particularly confident ahead of this weekend after his two strikes for Egypt yesterday secured their place at the 2018 World Cup Finals.

Lukaku’s countryman Eden Hazard (10.5) is among the intriguing differential armband options this week as Chelsea prepare to face a beleaguered Crystal Palace.

The Belgian boasts a meagre 3.5% ownership as he continues to build up his fitness following a long injury lay-off over the summer. However, he could prosper in our latest poll given the fragility of his opponent and the prospect that he could be deployed as Chelsea’s central attacker in the likely absence of Morata.

With more than 119,000 transfers-in ahead of Gameweek 8, Jamie Vardy (8.5) could be another to garner votes ahead of West Brom’s visit next Monday. Vardy has already struck five goals this season – and missed a penalty – despite facing Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool in four of his first seven outings.

Elsewhere, Arsenal have yet to score on their travels in the league, but will be fancied to snap that run in their visit to Vicarage Road. Hosts Watford have shipped nine goals on home turf – more than any other side.

Alexandre Lacazette’s (10.4) four successful strikes at the Emirates Stadium makes the 15%-owned Frenchman a key candidate for returns. However, Alexis Sanchez’s (11.9) impressive all-round performance against Brighton last time out may persuade voters to look the way of the Chilean. Sanchez fired a Gameweek-high eight shots and only Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson created more chances.

The poll is now live in the middle column on your homepage on desktop, or via the slide-in menu on mobile and tablet under Recent Comments.

Remember, we are looking for your vote for the player you think will be most effective, regardless of whether you own them or not.

We will be back to check in on progress in the poll later ahead of the Gameweek 8 deadline when we deliver our “Captain Sensible” article, offering an analysis of the results and the statistics behind the leading contenders.