This article is part of our Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer series.
Last week's Perfect Million slate was interesting to say the least, as five clubs recorded clean sheets, five netted multiple goals, four managed to win on the road, and a Liverpool side that seemed to be riding high after a win over Arsenal fell to newly promoted Burnley.
There are some choice matchups to exploit for Saturday's contests, which feature the new-look Manchester United squad for the first time this season. With several intriguing names at either end of the salary spectrum this week, there are plenty of ways for one to approach building a lineup.
GOALKEEPER
Thibaut Courtois, CHE v. BUR (£6.1m): Courtois has won both of the first two matches this season and has conceded just one goal in each, yet he carries the 24th-highest price among goalkeepers included in Saturday's slate of matches. Chelsea are among the heaviest favorites this weekend as they host Burnley, putting Courtois in position to return value for his owners in a big way.
DEFENDER
Mason Holgate, EVE v. STO (£7.1m): Holgate continues to hold down the starting fullback spot vacated by the injured Seamus Coleman, and he currently ranks third among defenders in scoring after racking up 10.54 fantasy points versus West Brom last weekend. Holgate, who is level on passes completed through two matches with the likes of Cedric Soares and Adam Smith, also has four tackles and five interceptions and will face another favorable matchup this weekend at home to low-scoring Stoke City.
Branislav Ivanovic, CHE v. BUR (£7.0m): Ivanovic has regained fantasy relevance after shifting outside to fullback this season, and he came through with a fine all-around performance last week versus Watford, as he won three tackles, secured two interceptions and supported the attack to the tune of seven crosses. The Blues' back line has yet to record a clean sheet through two matches, despite winning both, but they will face their first favorable home matchup Saturday versus Burnley, making Ivanovic a prime candidate to see a multitude of opportunities to score points.
Luke Shaw, MUN at HUL (£8.1m): Shaw has reclaimed his role as the starting left back for what should be a much-improved Red Devils defensive unit. He played a big part in keeping an impressive clean sheet against a competent Southampton attack last week, and will face newly promoted Hull on Saturday. The Tigers are off to a hot start, but Manchester United have been one of the class-acts of the league in the early stages and are favored to win on the road. Shaw should get more and more comfortable as he grows accustomed to his role in the new squad, and he is capable of generating points in multiple areas.
MIDFIELDER
Nathan Redmond, SOU v. SUN (£7.6m): A midfielder by trade, Redmond has been deployed as a striker during his first two matches for the Saints, and he has already opened his account with an impressive strike versus Watford in a strong performance in Gameweek 1. Redmond and company will play host to a Sunderland side that ranked last in the Premier League in defensive record on the road last season, putting them in position to bounce back after a tough away loss to Manchester United last week.
Steven Defour, BUR at CHE (£6.5m): Defour was a record signing for Burnley after racking up double-digit assists for Anderlecht last season, and he wasted no time in impacting his new club with an assist in his Premier League debut last week versus Liverpool. The playmaker will match up against another tough side in Chelsea on Saturday, but he is very reasonably priced and should have a chance to create on a weekly basis as the main supplier to the talented strike partnership of Andre Gray and Sam Vokes.
Riyad Mahrez, LEI v. SWA (£11.5m): Mahrez was held in check, by his standards, last week in a stalemate versus Arsenal, but he still managed to make an impact in several statistical categories and posed an obvious threat whenever he had the ball. A slow start to the season should see the reigning champions come out intent on making a statement Saturday at home versus Swansea, and Mahrez will be tasked with initiating it as their main creator on the attacking end.
Andros Townsend, CRY v. BOU (£9.1m): Crystal Palace have yet to score a goal through two matches, but it hasn't been for a lack of trying on Townsend's part. The dynamic winger has taken eight shots, put in 18 crosses, won nine tackles and secured six interceptions against a pair of stingy defensive units. The Eagles will play host to a Bournemouth side this weekend that ranked 19th in the Premier League in goals allowed last season and currently sits at the foot of the table with a minus-three goal differential, making this a prime opportunity for Townsend and company to end the early drought.
FORWARD
Shane Long, SOU v. SUN (£4.6m): Long faces one of the most favorable matchups available this week, making him an enticing option because of his extremely depressed price. Sunderland posted one of the worst defensive records in the league last season and were especially leaky on the road, with a league-worst 42 goals allowed in just 19 matches. Long has yet to make a huge impact this season, but he seems to have a firm grasp on his starting role and could make the breakthrough this week.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, MUN at HUL (£20.1m): It stings to part with such a significant chunk of one's budget for one player, but Ibrahimovic possesses seemingly unrivaled upside within this slate after netting four goals in just three competitive matches this season. The Red Devils appear to be among the early favorites thanks in large part to Ibrahimovic's play, and he should be front and center as they travel for a fixture with Hull City.
Diego Costa, CHE v. BUR (£12.0m): Costa has started the season on a high, as he has scored in each of the first two matches despite fixtures against a pair of relatively strong sides. The striker will face his first favorable matchup of the campaign on Saturday, as newly promoted Burnley will visit Stamford Bridge, where Costa has five goals and an assist in his last six home matches dating back to last season.
