December has already treated us to four sets of fixtures, but the festive schedule is only about to accelerate, with four Gameweeks getting underway over the next ten days.

With just a few hours remaining until this evening’s 6.45pm deadline, we roll out our pre-Gameweek members’ article, analysing the armband conundrum for the upcoming round of fixtures.

We get underway by assessing the main players in this week’s Captain Poll, then turn to the Opta numbers and check up on the Rate My Team ratings before considering a couple of differential options in light of the data analysis.

The Captain Poll

Manchester City dominate our Gameweek 19 Captain Poll, claiming the top three places for the visit of Bournemouth.

Selected by over 26% of voters, Raheem Sterling sits at the summit for the first time this season after his weekend brace at home to Spurs.

The England international has scored seven times in front of his own fans this season – more than any player – averaging 8.9 points per match (ppm) at the Etihad.

Kevin De Bruyne and Sergio Aguero are also backed to deliver against a defence that’s shipped 10 goals over their last five.

The Belgian has delivered double-figure returns in three of his last four home outings, yet is backed by only 12%.

With Gabriel Jesus playing 120 minutes in the Carabao Cup win over Leicester City, Aguero (11%) looks likely to lead the line on Saturday. The Argentine’s average of 6.6ppm is higher than any FPL forward this season, highlighting his potential when on the pitch.

David Silva and Leroy Sane are further down in the pecking order.

The former has netted four times in his last three but remains a big doubt due to the personal reasons that forced him to miss the win over Spurs.

Sane, meanwhile, could prove a devastating armband differential after returning to form last Saturday – he’s already served up 10+ points on five occasions at the Etihad.

Harry Kane earns just 11% backing away to a Burnley side that boasts the joint-best home defence in the top flight, conceding a mere three times at Turf Moor.

Yet his penchant for explosive hauls on the road cannot rule the Spurs frontman out – he’s delivered two away goals on three separate occasions.

Mohamed Salah – the number one captain pick by Fantasy Premier League managers in Gameweek 18 – faces a test of his credentials when Liverpool visit an Arsenal side with six clean sheets in eight at home.

Nonetheless, the Egyptian has scored more goals on the road – eight – than any player and remains the most consistent option around right now, with attacking returns in nine of the last ten Gameweeks.

Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino have both delivered double-digits in each of their last two road trips. Indeed, the former has produced 61 points in just five away appearances – an average of 12.2 FPL points on the road.

A trip to Everton has curtailed the appeal of Chelsea’s Eden Hazard (4%).

The Belgian has managed just one assist in two appearances without Alvaro Morata and as the Spaniard is suspended, he could struggle to replicate the form that’s served up two sets of double digits in five on the road.

Man United’s trip to Leicester could throw a differential or two our way.

Romelu Lukaku looks to score for the third successive Gameweek, while the suspension-free Paul Pogba has delivered 7.0ppm this season – yet both are backed by just 2% of voters ahead of this evening’s deadline.

Jesse Lingard could be the surprise package for Jose Mourinho’s men – he’s served up double digits in his last trio of road trips.

Meanwhile, Charlie Austin, with four goals in as many starts, is set to entertain a Huddersfield side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six away fixtures, conceding 17 times over that stretch.