This article is part of our FPL Best XI series.
With Manchester City and Arsenal, the Premier League's top two teams entering last weekend, both losing in Gameweek 13, the upcoming round now features a matchup of England's new top two, Leicester City and Manchester United.
The improbable pace-setters, Leicester City, have been fueled by striker Jamie Vardy's stunning scoring streak of 10 straight games, which has put him level with former Man U forward Ruud van Nistelrooy in the Premiership record books.
Given that remarkable storyline, all eyes will be on the King Power Stadium come Saturday, but Sunday's London derby of Chelsea at Tottenham also represents an enticing tie.
With eight other matchups for fantasy owners to consider as well, let's take aim at the Best XI for what should be an eventful Gameweek 14.
Goalkeeper:
Petr Cech
After allowing a pair of soft goals at West Brom last weekend, Cech and Arsenal's defense resurfaced with a clean sheet in their midweek Champions League victory over Dinamo Zagreb. In league play, Cech's six clean sheets trail only Manchester City's Joe Hart, and the new Gunners goalkeeper also ranks fifth in saves this season. Coming off last weekend's domestic disappointment, Cech could rebound this Sunday against Norwich City, as the Canaries have scored just twice from their last four league matches, and were blanked in their most recent game against Arsenal.
Defenders:
Seamus Coleman
Back in the Best XI again, Coleman rewarded last week's selection with an assist and a clean sheet in Everton's convincing victory over Aston Villa. With the platform of holding midfielders Gareth Barry and James McCarthy stationed in front of the Toffees' defense, Coleman is often able to push forward and satisfy his appetite for attacking. That could result in another impressive display this weekend against Bournemouth, who have gone winless in their past seven Premiership matches, failing to score in three of their last four to boot.
Joel Ward
Somewhat surprisingly, Crystal Palace's defense has only allowed 13 goals through 13 games this season, tying them with Manchester City in the category. In fact, only four teams claim a better defensive record heading into this weekend's action, when Palace hosts Newcastle. No team has scored fewer goals than the Magpies over their last three games, which shapes up well for a Palace defender like Ward, who also boasts two goals in his six games this season.
Glen Johnson
Among those four teams that tote a better defensive record than Crystal Palace is Stoke City, who have conceded just 12 times this season. Leading all Potters defenders in fantasy points is Johnson, who has enjoyed regular first-team appearances since arriving this summer. In addition to Stoke having strung together three straight clean sheets, Mark Hughes' men have four consecutive clean sheets on the road. That accomplishment could improve further this weekend at Sunderland, who barely average one goal per game.
Midfielders:
Mesut Ozil
Already with the Premier League record to his name, Ozil has reeled off seven straight games with at least one assist. On the whole, he's dished out 11 helpers through 13 games this season, helping him rank as the fourth-best overall performer in the Premiership's fantasy game thus far. Moreover, Ozil scored in Arsenal's midweek Champions League win, giving him at least a goal or an assist in eight of his last nine appearances for club and country. That eye-opening figure could climb this weekend at Norwich City, who Ozil bagged a brace against in 2013 and whose defense is currently tied for fourth-worst in the division.
Ross Barkley
Finally fit and coming through with consistent performances, Barkley scored twice and assisted another goal last weekend against Aston Villa to bring his season tally to five goals and four assists. With Barkley providing the spark, Everton's attack has accrued 24 goals, leaving only Leicester City and Manchester City with more goals to date. This weekend, the Englishman will hope to keep the ball rolling at promoted side Bournemouth, who have struggled mightily in recent times. The Cherries currently lead the league with 27 goals allowed this season.
Philippe Coutinho
While his game-changing talents were well known heading into this season, Coutinho has taken it to the next level under new manager Jurgen Klopp. To that point, the Brazilian has four goals and an assist in five Premiership appearances since Klopp took over, including a scoring streak of three straight games. That certainly bodes well in advance of Sunday's visit from Swansea City, who can't seem to stop Liverpool lately, as they've shipped 18 goals in their last six meetings with the Merseyside men.
Alexis Sanchez
An ever-active attacker, Alexis' six league goals this season all came over a three-match stretch a couple of months ago, making him a frustrating yet explosive fantasy performer. After going six games in a row without scoring, Alexis popped up with two goals and assist in Champions League action this week, perhaps opening the floodgates for another scoring burst. While the Chilean slightly tweaked his hamstring in that European performance, he's still a most intriguing option for Sunday's game versus a Norwich City side that has leaked nine goals in their last three games against Arsenal.
Forwards:
Jamie Vardy (C)
When a player has found the back of the net in 10 consecutive contests, it's a no-brainer to include him in your fantasy team. Yes, this weekend's opponent, Manchester United, has the Premiership's best defensive record, and yes, Vardy's streak has been helped by a soft schedule, but the fact that he's only not scored in two games this season is another reason to add him. Furthermore, Vardy will be going for the league record at home, where he's had at least one goal or one assist in every game this season. Combine all those factors, and Vardy earns another Best XI captain selection.
Romelu Lukaku
Only trailing Vardy and his teammate Riyad Mahrez in points in the Premier League's fantasy game, Lukaku has been on fire lately, scoring seven goals and assisting on three others in Everton's last seven league encounters. That includes a brace last weekend, which brought his own scoring streak to three straight. In flying form, the strong Belgian striker has a great opportunity to add to his tally Saturday against Bournemouth, who, as previously mentioned, presently field the Premiership's worst defense.
Sergio Aguero
Back from another spell on the sidelines, Aguero scored Manchester City's lone goal in their home letdown last weekend against Liverpool. In doing so, Aguero moved into fifth among strikers in fantasy points per game on the Premier League's official website. Additionally, only four players have scored more goals than Aguero, despite him missing four games already this season. An established penalty box bandit, Aguero's plunder will be tested Saturday against a Southampton road defense tied for the best in the league, but his goal in last season's corresponding fixture provides further reason for confidence this time around.
BENCH
GK: Heurelho Gomes
Reborn in Premier League circles, Gomes ranks second among fantasy goalkeepers heading into Saturday's game at last-place Aston Villa, who also has scored the fewest goals this season.
DEF: Aaron Cresswell
After West Ham's defense was dismantled last weekend at Tottenham, Cresswell and company have a decent chance of bouncing back Sunday against a West Brom side averaging less than one goal per game.
MID: Kevin De Bruyne
Mighty Manchester City scored just one goal combined from their recent losses to Liverpool and Juventus. If they're going to flip the switch this weekend at home versus Southampton, expect De Bruyne to be the midfield catalyst.
MID: Roberto Firmino
Another import from the Bundesliga, Firmino dazzled while rewarding Jurgen Klopp's decision to play him at center forward last weekend at Manchester City, putting him in good spirits ahead of Sunday's visit from an underwhelming Swansea City defense.
MID: Manuel Lanzini
With a goal in three of his past five Premier League matches, Lanzini is well positioned to take up injured teammate Dimitri Payet's featured midfield role again this weekend against West Brom.
FWD: Harry Kane
Don't look now, but Kane is tormenting his London rivals once again. Included in Kane's current four-match, seven-goal scoring streak are three goals from Spurs' past two games, which came against cross-town opponents Arsenal and West Ham. This weekend, he'll look to torment Chelsea.
FWD: Troy Deeney
Scorer of three goals in Watford last four games, Deeney is finally hitting his goal-scoring stride in the Premier League, and he should be aiming for another scoresheet appearance against last-place Aston Villa this weekend.
