Our weekly members article focussing on the Gameweek captaincy contenders arrives once again this Friday evening. As always, we take a three-part approach which includes the weekly poll standings, the Opta statistics and our Rate My Team projections to help steer your thoughts on the armband conundrum.
The Captain Poll
As Fantasy managers reassess their options in light of Sergio Aguero’s knee injury, Diego Costa has emerged as the number one candidate ahead of Chelsea’s home encounter with Hull. The Spain international has earned 36% of the votes cast so far and has scored in all but one of his six home appearances, with only QPR keeping him at bay.
Eden Hazard is hot on Costa’s heels, though. The wide man has received over 27% of the votes after scoring in each of the last four in front of his own fans – Hazard has averaged 10 points per appearance over those fixtures and has collected 10 bonus points, whereas Costa has failed to earn bonus at home since Gameweek 4.
Man City pair Yaya Toure (6%) and Edin Dzeko (3%) are also in contention ahead of a trip to Leicester. Toure has now netted in three of his last four, and with Aguero out of the picture, has dead-ball duties to bolster his appeal – as evidenced by last weekend’s spot-kick winner over Everton. Having just returned from injury, Dzeko will be looking to improve upon a series of displays which have seen him score in only one of his 11 league appearances so far.
Alexis Sanchez has collected 5% of the votes ahead of Arsenal’s home clash with a Newcastle side hit hard by injuries and suspension – a single goal in four since being moved back to the flank is hardly reassuring, though a midweek rest from Champions League duties could re-energise the Chilean. Robin van Persie is also back on the radar. The Dutchman’s brace at St Mary’s on Monday means he’s now bagged three goals and an assist in his last three ahead of a derby encounter at home to Liverpool.
Going on the voting so far, then, both Romelu Lukaku and Wilfried Bony look ideal differentials for Gameweek 16, with around 2% backing them with the armband. Lukaku has scored (and earned bonus) in each of his last four starts at Goodison ahead of QPR’s visit, whilst Bony welcomes Spurs to the Liberty in phenomenal form, after serving up seven goals and an assist in his last nine appearances.
