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
Sergio Aguero is the runaway leader for City’s trip to Burnley. Whilst the Argentine has surprisingly struggled in front of his own fans – scoring just once at the Etihad since Gameweek 10 – he’s been far more consistent on his travels, producing attacking returns in ten of his 12 road trips so far. Given that the Clarets have a single shut-out in 17 Gameweeks, it’s no surprise that over 48% have handed Aguero the armband, though David Silva, with just 6% of the votes cast, could be a real captain differential on the back of four goals and two assists in his last six appearances.
Alexis Sanchez (11%) takes second spot as Arsenal welcome West Ham to the Emirates. Back in the goals against QPR last time out, the Chilean has served up two double-figure hauls (10 and 19) in his last four home appearances and squares up to a defence that have managed a single clean sheet on their travels all season.
Similar to City’s Silva, both Eden Hazard and Harry Kane have earned 6% of the votes cast. Hazard has managed just three assists in his last five at the Bridge ahead of the visit of Southampton, though it’s worth noting he’s still served up four sets of 10+ hauls in front of his own fans and has already produced a double-figure return at St Mary’s earlier in the season.
Kane rolls up to Old Trafford in the midst of a remarkable scoring streak. The Tottenham frontman has notched in each of his last six away matches, with scores of 8, 12, 7, 13, 11 and 13 underlining his extraordinary form against a United side that have kept out their opponents just once in the last five home fixtures.
Further down the likes of Olivier Giroud (3%) and Mesut Ozil (2%) offer alternatives against West Ham’s porous backline. The Frenchman has served up some consistent scores of late, netting in all but one of his last six starts, whilst Ozil has earned double-figures in each of his three Emirates appearances (13, 11, 10) since returning from injury.
Jason Puncheon (5%) and Charlie Austin (2%) are also backed as Palace and QPR’s dodgy defences go head-to-head at Selhurst Park. Puncheon’s explosive potential has already seen him deliver nine, 12 and 14-point hauls in eight appearances under Alan Pardew, whilst Austin has scored or assisted in all four of his previous road trips – encouraging form against a backline with a single clean sheet since their new manager took charge.
