Our weekly members article focussing on the Gameweek captaincy contenders arrives once again tonight. 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
Man City’s home encounter with Palace has persuaded over 21% to back Yaya Toure with the weekend captaincy. The Ivorian has notched three times in his last five, and with Sergio Aguero injured, has dead-ball duties to fall back on – indeed, he’s scored and earned maximum bonus in each of his previous two at the Etihad.
Robin van Persie’s ascent up the Fantasy standings earns him second spot. It’s four goals and two assists for the United forward over the last four Gameweeks, and with three sets of double figures accrued in recent outings, over 13% have opted for the Dutchman who rolls up to Villa Park with his confidence high.
Charlie Austin’s home form has persuaded over 10% of voters to back the QPR top scorer. So far this term, he’s averaged 6.5 points per appearances in front of his own fans – with five goals and two assists in his last four at Loftus Road, Austin – who has also scored against the likes of Chelsea and City in recent matches – faces a Baggies backline that has been breached only seven times on their travels.
With 7% of the votes so far, Chelsea duo Diego Costa and Eden Hazard are also very much in contention for Monday evening’s trip to Stoke. Certainly, both will need to step up their away day displays – Hazard has just two assists on his travels all season, whilst Costa has netted in just one of his last four road trips. Bearing in mind that Mark Hughes’ side have just one clean sheet in 13 Gameweeks, though, the Blues’ main men will be optimistic of prevailing at the Britannia.
Tottenham’s home encounter with strugglers Burnley has earned Christian Eriksen plenty of new backers. The Dane has racked up three sets of double-figures in five and has played a part in five of his side’s last six goals – as a result, he earns 6% of the votes cast so far.
Judging by the Poll, there are a number of candidates who could prove to be real differential options this Gameweek. West Ham trio Stewart Downing (3%), Diafra Sakho (2%) and Andy Carroll (1%) play host to Leicester, whilst Wilfried Bony’s eight goals in ten has convinced just 4% to offer him the armband as Swansea head to struggling Hull.
