This article is part of our FPL Best XI series.
Fantasy Premier League history was set last weekend, when Leicester City's Jamie Vardy miraculously scored for the 11th consecutive game. While that incredible accomplishment takes the cake, plenty of other players are in outstanding form at present. With that in mind ahead of Gameweek 15, let's unveil the Best XI for this weekend's action.
Goalkeeper:
David de Gea
Despite missing Manchester United's first four games while his transfer saga swirled, de Gea's five clean sheets trail only three goalkeepers this season. Moreover, the Spaniard ranks second in fantasy points per game on the Premier League's official website among keepers with at least five appearances. This weekend, de Gea faces a West Ham attack still coping with the loss of playmaker Dimitri Payet (ankle), and Saturday's match comes at Old Trafford, where Man U have allowed just one goal this season. As a result, the Red Devils could lull another opponent to sleep at the "Theater of Dreams," with de Gea being a chief beneficiary yet again.
Defenders:
Aleksandar Kolarov
Starring for Man U's cross-town rivals, Kolarov reclaimed his place as the Premier League's top scoring fantasy defender with a goal versus Southampton last weekend. That followed an assist in Gameweek 13, which puts Kolarov in excellent all-round form ahead of Saturday's early match at Stoke City. Along with currently sporting the league's worst offense, Stoke have managed to score just two goals from their last six encounters with Manchester City. Knowing that, Kolarov stands a good chance of extending his streak to a clean sheet in six of his past seven away matches in league play.
Alberto Moreno
Reinvigorated under Jurgen Klopp, Moreno and Liverpool's defense have conceded less than one goal per game since changing managers. That includes a clean sheet against Swansea last weekend, which was followed by a statement 6-1 win at Southampton in the League Cup this week. Moreno was ultimately credited with an assist in the Reds' most recent triumph, and he could add to his recent success this weekend at Newcastle. Only three teams have scored fewer times than the Magpies this season, and Liverpool blanked the Tyneside outfit the last time they met.
Nacho Monreal
Rounding out a Best XI defense composed entirely by left-sided players this week, Monreal leads Arsenal defenders in fantasy points so far this season. That comes thanks to six clean sheets and two assists, while the Gunners have conceded the third-fewest goals to date. In wake of a pair of tumultuous road games that worsened Arsenal's injury woes, the Gunners will be thankful to return to the Emirates Stadium to play Sunderland this weekend. Just one place above the relegation zone, the Black Cats didn't score against Arsenal last season, presenting a much-needed matchup for Monreal to capitalize upon.
Midfielders:
Mesut Ozil
With the usual players around him falling victim to Arsenal's annual injury crisis recently, Ozil's importance in attack should be emphasized in the weeks to come. Fortunately, the German is enjoying brilliant form at the moment, as his 11 assists lead the league by a comfortable margin, and with a goal last weekend, he's scored or assisted in eight straight games. That obviously bodes well ahead of this weekend's visit from Sunderland, who presently deploy the Premiership's fourth-worst defense overall and are tied in allowing the most goals away from home this season.
Kevin De Bruyne
Although he's been outstanding for club and country over the course of this season, De Bruyne actually broke a five-match scoreless streak with a Premier League goal against Southampton last weekend. So how did De Bruyne follow that performance? He scored twice in midweek League Cup action against Hull City. While this weekend's trip to Stoke City poses a tougher challenge, De Bruyne has proven up for the occasion time and again since returning to England, and striker Sergio Aguero's (heel) latest absence should make him even more meaningful on Saturday.
Sadio Mane
Another goal-scorer in League Cup play this week, Mane assisted Southampton's lone goal at Man City last weekend. That gave him six helpers on the campaign, a figure that trails only two players in England. Come Saturday, Mane is matched up against an Aston Villa outfit still sitting in last-place, having gone winless since the opening weekend. While Villa's troubles are enough for Southampton's chances of a rebound following a midweek embarrassment, so is the recent history between the sides. In Southampton's last two versus the Villains, they've scored eight goals, including Mane's record-setting hat trick in two minutes and 56 seconds last season.
Willian
Amid Chelsea's catastrophic campaign, Willian has emerged as a bright spot for the Blues. Although he only has two goals and two assists in the Premier League, the bushy-haired Brazilian boasts seven goals across all competitions. Entering Saturday's home game against Bournemouth, Chelsea have a two-match unbeaten streak for just the second time this season, suggesting they've sorted some issues out. Given that the Cherries sit in 18th place, and have surrendered the joint-most goals this season, Willian appears an intriguing fantasy option as Chelsea crawl toward the top half of the table.
Forwards:
Jamie Vardy (C)
He did it! With a goal last weekend against mighty Manchester United, Vardy scored for the 11th straight game, setting the Premier League record. Overall, the energetic Englishman now flaunts 14 goals through the season's first 14 games, making him fantasy's top performer this term. For his next act, Vardy is pitted against Swansea City, one of this season's more disappointing teams to date. The Swans are currently in 15th place, and though Vardy could be prone to a post-record lapse, his unbelievable form earns yet another captain's selection this weekend.
Romelu Lukaku
Hot on the heels of Vardy for the league's highest goal total, Lukaku netted once again last weekend, giving him 10 goals on the season and bringing his own scoring streak to four straight games. Over that stretch, Lukaku's contributions have carried Everton to a fantastic 14 goals as a team, and they've also gone unbeaten as well. Combined, those developments put Roberto Martinez's men in flying form ahead of Monday's match against Crystal Palace. Although the Eagles have impressed in away encounters, Lukaku's current confidence should be buoyed by the fact he scored in both games against Palace last season.
Odion Ighalo
With a goal and an assist against Aston Villa last weekend, Ighalo brought his tally to eight goals and four assists so far, continuing to prove himself as one of fantasy's supreme sleepers. In fact, only Vardy and Lukaku have outscored Ighalo this season, his first in the Premiership. Additionally, Ighalo's strike partner Troy Deeney has found his form lately, making the duo harder to defend atop the Watford attack. That could prove especially true this Saturday against Norwich City, as the Canaries have conceded the fifth-most goals overall, and have compiled the fifth-fewest points on the road this season.
BENCH
GK: Hugo Lloris
Anchoring the Premiership's second-best defense, Lloris goes against West Brom, the league's third-worst offense.
DEF: Ryan Bertrand
Despite Southampton's defense getting shredded in midweek League Cup action, Saturday's matchup versus Aston Villa's anemic attack is a favorable bounce-back opportunity.
DEF: Kurt Zouma
With back-to-back clean sheets, Chelsea have finally rediscovered their organization defensively, which figures to earn Zouma another start at home against promoted side Bournemouth on Saturday.
MID: Ross Barkley
Along with Lukaku, Barkley has been in blistering form of late, scoring three goals to go with two assists in his two outings leading into Monday's match against Crystal Palace.
MID: Roberto Firmino
With teammate Philippe Coutinho (hamstring) slated to miss Sunday's game at Newcastle, Firmino could feature in the No. 10 role of a Liverpool offense fresh off scoring six goals this week.
FWD: Harry Kane
Despite his four-match, seven-goal streak coming to an end last time out, Kane could get back on track this weekend at West Brom, where he bagged a brace last season.
FWD: Olivier Giroud
While others crumble to injury around him, Giroud figures to be at the forefront of Arsenal's attack against Sunderland, whose defense shouldn't scare fantasy owners.
