Our pre-Gameweek members article which focuses on the main captaincy contenders arrives once again this 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
Eden Hazard (26%) leads the way in a closely-contested race this week. The Belgian has managed just two assists in his last four at Stamford Bridge but will fancy his chances of returning to form – visitors Burnley have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six road trips. With that in mind, it’s perhaps surprising that only 17% have opted for Diego Costa – the Spain international has found the net in eight of his nine home appearances so far.
Sergio Aguero is just behind Hazard on 25%. The City striker ended his goal drought with a brace against Stoke last time out and is expected to recover from a minor back problem to welcome Newcastle to the Etihad. With Yaya Toure back on board and Samir Nasri and David Silva both in form, the Argentine will be looking to improve upon a surprisingly poor home record – Aguero has found the net in just three of nine outings in front of his own fans.
Despite serving up five double-figure hauls in the last eight, Harry Kane is backed by only 11% of Fantasy managers as Spurs welcome West Ham to the Lane. Sam Allardyce’s side have managed a single away clean sheet all season and will struggle to keep their hosts at bay, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side look for a morale boost prior to next weekend’s Capital One Cup final against Chelsea.
With that quartet hogging most of the votes, there are a number of differential candidates for those willing to gamble with the armband. Romelu Lukaku is backed by just under 4% at home to a Leicester defence that has shipped at least two goals in eight of their last nine road trips, whilst Arsenal trio Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud have been largely overlooked ahead of a visit to Palace.
