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
There’s a two-man tussle for our attentions in this week’s Captain Poll as Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero prepare to host Leicester and West Brom respectively. At present, the Spurs frontman is the favoured option – almost 37% are backing him with the armband on the back of six sets of double figures in his last 12 outings. Kane – who has delivered 18 and 12 points against Chelsea and Arsenal at the Lane from New Year’s day onwards – faces a Foxes side that have conceded at least twice in each of their last five road trips.
Aguero’s home form is a real issue, though. So often the scourge of opposition backlines at the Etihad, the Argentine has toiled in front of his own supporters of late and drawn blanks in three of his four home appearances since returning from injury. The Baggies arrive on the back of four clean sheets in five, though most of those have come at the Hawthorns – they have two shut-outs in four road trips under Tony Pulis.
Olivier Giroud heads the chasing pack. Having served up six goals and three assists in his previous eight, it’s somewhat surprising that he’s been selected by just 5%, given that hosts Newcastle are hampered by injuries and suspension. A collective loss in faith leaves Alexis Sanchez with just 1% backing after notching one goal in his last six appearances.
Eden Hazard (4%) and Diego Costa (3%) are also looking like differentials as Chelsea make their way to Hull. The Belgian has scored in four of his last five away matches, earning 10 points on three of those occasions, whilst Costa has three goals and an assist in his previous trio of road trips, with a 16-point haul at Swansea the highlight.
Elsewhere, the in-form Christian Benteke, Sadio Mane and David Silva come into contention ahead of home clashes against Swansea, Burnley and West Brom.
