This article is part of our Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer series.
The opening weekend of the 2016/17 Premier League season did not disappoint, as we were treated to some great goals, the debuts of several high-profile players and, as always, some very intriguing results.
Although there aren't quite as many obvious matchups to target for Saturday's slate, there is no shortage of big names to consider. Furthermore, several value plays have already presented themselves in the early going, due to injuries and other factors, affording fantasy owners a multitude of possible courses of action when filling out lineups.
GOALKEEPER
Michele Vorm, TOT at CRY (£6.1m): Vorm unexpectedly was called into action versus Everton last week after Hugo Lloris left with a hamstring injury, and it has since been revealed that the latter is expected to miss several weeks because of the ailment. The Dutchman stopped every shot he faced after coming on to help Spurs earn a hard-fought away point, and he is expected to start Saturday's match versus Crystal Palace. Given his side's outstanding defensive record and his extremely low price, Vorm should be a useful fantasy contributor until Lloris returns.
DEFENDER:
Mason Holgate, EVE at WBA (£6.4m): Holgate stepped in for the injured Seamus Coleman in the opening week of the season and held his own against an accomplished Spurs attack, securing two interceptions and winning three tackles in a sound defensive effort. Holgate was unable to join the attack with regularity, as he contended with Tottenham's attacking personnel, but he is more likely to contribute in that capacity Saturday versus West Brom, with Everton expected to see more of the ball. The Baggies also finished 19th in the league in goals per game last season, adding defensive upside for the low-priced fullback.
Kyle Walker, TOT v. CRY (£8.4m) and Danny Rose, TOT v. CRY (£8.7m): Tottenham's two fullbacks were each among the top-five highest-scoring defenders last week, as both racked up some useful defensive stats while holding Everton to one goal, with Walker setting up Erik Lamela's equalizer in the second half. Spurs are the heaviest favorites this week versus Crystal Palace, and they should once again rely heavily on Walker and Rose's ability to contribute in the attacking third on top of their typically reliable defensive contributions.
MIDFIELDER:
Philippe Coutinho, LIV at BUR (£14m): Coutinho put on the performance of the opening weekend versus Arsenal as he scored a sublime brace to help Liverpool secure a huge away victory. He landed three shots on target, including a 25-yard free-kick right into the top right corner, and he could have scored a third had he not pulled up with leg cramping after being put in on goal. Coutinho is expected to play versus newly-promoted Burnley on Saturday and should be riding high from his excellent start to the season, making him one of the most desirable attackers to target this weekend.
Gylfi Sigurdsson, SWA v. HUL (£10.7m): Sigurdsson was not deemed fit enough to start last week's match versus Burnley, but he was able to come on for the last half-hour, helping an undermanned Swansea maintain a one-goal lead and earn three points. Sigurdsson should be the alpha and the omega of the Swans' attack this season after the departures of several key players during the summer transfer window, and with a home matchup versus newly promoted Hull City on tap, his high usage rate should result in fantasy points aplenty.
Willian, CHE at WAT (£9.3m):Willian may not have gotten on the scoresheet for Monday's match versus West Ham, but he was perhaps the most active Chelsea attacker, as he led the way with three key passes and seven crosses while landing both of his shots on target. Fresh off a breakout season, despite Chelsea's poor overall performance in league play, Willian could have even more success this year, as his top attacking comrades Eden Hazard and Diego Costa are showing signs of a return to form. With the 17th-highest salary among midfielders, Willian's upside warrants great consideration versus Watford this weekend.
Adam Lallana, LIV at BUR (£8.8m): Lallana shifted into a midfield role last week versus Arsenal to accommodate the new addition of winger Sadio Mane, and he responded with a goal and an assist as he was free to get forward in support the Reds' front three. Lallana will have some room to operate in the middle of the pitch in his current role, as defenses will be occupied with the likes of Coutinho, Mane and Roberto Firmino, which could translate to more direct scoring opportunities than he saw while operating as a winger last season. Liverpool as a whole created numerous scoring opportunities in the season opener and could run rampant again this weekend versus newly promoted Burnley.
FORWARD:
Jamie Vardy, LEI vs ARS (£8.6m): Arsenal used a center back pairing of Calum Chambers and Rob Holding during last week's match versus Liverpool, and the duo was clearly overmatched as they were victimized by the Reds for four goals in a disastrous 17-minute span. Vardy ranked second in the Premier League with 14 goals at home last season, and with few reinforcements on the way for the Gunners, he will likely match up against a similarly makeshift back line on Saturday.
Romelu Lukaku, EVE at WBA (£8.2m): Lukaku was forced to miss the opening match of the season through injury, but he has been deemed fit ahead of Saturday's trip to the Hawthornes and is poised to return value as the 16th-most expensive forward, as he scored a brace and added an assist in this very fixture last year. It is unclear whether newly acquired winger Yannick Bolasie will make his Toffees debut this weekend, but Lukaku's stock would stand to benefit even further if that is the case.
Harry Kane (£10.8m): Kane struggled to make a significant impact on last week's match versus Everton, but perhaps a trip to Selhurst Park is what the prolific striker needs to kick-start his season. Kane has scored in each of his last two away matches versus Crystal Palace in league play, landing seven shots on target in the process. His price is slightly depressed after last week's effort, making him one of the more affordable big names to build around for this week's slate.
