Captain Sensible – Gameweek 27

We now turn to our pre-Gameweek members’ article to run the rule over the main captaincy candidates for the upcoming round of fixtures.

First up, we assess the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) form among the top picks in our Gameweek Captain Poll, then check in with the Opta numbers and Rate My Team ratings before considering a differential or two for Gameweek 27.

The Captain Poll

There’s a clear pecking order to our Gameweek 27 Captain Poll, with Mohamed Salah well ahead at the summit thanks to 33% backing.

The Liverpool winger continues to rack up the FPL points with consummate ease – last week’s two-goal haul at home to Spurs was the 15th time in his last 17 league outings that he’s delivered attacking returns.

Salah has now produced double-digits on 11 occasions this season, and one of those was a 16-point haul against the Saints at Anfield in Gameweek 12.

Up against a defence with just a single clean sheet in their last 13 home fixtures, Roberto Firmino could prove a valid differential. Only 1% are considering the Brazilian, who has three sets of 10+ points hauls in his last five away starts.

A home clash with Leicester City earns Sergio Aguero second spot, on 22%.

The Argentine let down the 16.6% of FPL managers who handed him the armband away to Burnley last time out, but his home form is relentless – Aguero has seven goals and 45 FPL points from his last four at the Etihad Stadium.

Earning just 2% of the votes, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne have both served up double figures on five occasions in front of their own supporters. Leicester, meanwhile, have kept just two clean sheets on the road all season.

Surprisingly, only 12% are considering Harry Kane for the north London derby at Wembley Stadium in Saturday’s early kick-off.

Yet the Spurs frontman has a fine record against Arsenal, with six goals in as many league appearances against them.

Kane, who has scored at least twice in four of Spurs’ last nine at Wembley, could profit against a defence that’s struggled for resilience on the road, with three clean sheets in 13 attempts.

Interest in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (2%) is on the rise after he kick-started his career at the Emirates Stadium with a debut goal in last week’s 5-1 win over Everton.

Subject to more acquisitions than any forward in the Gameweek, the January signing produced 69 goals and 10 assists in 79 Bundesliga appearances over the past two-and-a-half seasons at Borussia Dortmund. Curiously, he also has four goals in as many appearances against Spurs over the past couple of seasons.

Big-hitting midfielders Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez were both among the goals last time out, but have earned just 5% and 3% backing for head-to-heads with West Brom and Newcastle respectively.

At home to a Baggies’ backline with one clean sheet in 12 on the road, Hazard has struggled for consistency this term, yet has still delivered a respectable four goals and 37 points in the last five Gameweeks.

After opening his account for Man United, Sanchez will fancy his chances at St James’ Park, where the Magpies have a single clean sheet in eight attempts.

Elsewhere, both Theo Walcott and Callum Wilson (1% apiece) have the form to offer up further differential options.

Walcott has bagged two goals and an assist in his pair of home appearances for Everton ahead of Crystal Palace’s visit to Goodison Park.

Four goals and two assists in the last seven Gameweeks showcases Wilson’s potential as Bournemouth travel to face a Huddersfield defence with just one clean sheet in their previous 10 league matches.