This article is part of our FPL Best XI series.
We're only two weeks into the Premier League season, but my how the headlines can change so quickly…
Following a 3-0 thrashing at Manchester City, preseason favorites Chelsea are already judged to be regressing, while the Citizens have seemingly taken their pole position on the back of consecutive convincing wins to begin the campaign.
Hired into a world of Monopoly money, City manager Manuel Pellegrini appears poised to further strengthen his side before the transfer window closes, proving the rich can get richer despite whatever Financial Fair Play guidelines exist.
Naturally, every manager is looking to solidify his squad at this time of the year, including fantasy owners seeking to establish foundational players to their team.
With that in mind, let's get into the Best XI for Gameweek 3 and potentially uncover the top difference-makers for the action to come this weekend.
Goalkeeper:
Lukasz Fabianski
The best goalkeeper in most fantasy leagues last season, Fabianski secured his first clean sheet of the current campaign last weekend versus Newcastle. He is now looking forward to a match against last-place Sunderland, who have been abysmal in the opening weeks. A team lacking firepower, Sunderland tied for the second-fewest goals scored last term and have been blanked in three of their last five matches against Swansea City.
Defenders:
Matteo Darmian
With impressive all-around displays, including a pair of clean sheets, Darmian has emerged as Manchester United's first-choice right back just two matches into his stay with the Red Devils. The Italian's storming start could well continue this weekend when United host Newcastle, who have gone scoreless in six of their last seven away matches in the Premier League. Furthermore, Manchester United have held the Magpies at bay in three of their past four meetings, setting up nicely for Darmian come Saturday.
Aaron Cresswell
A standout left back for West Ham, Cresswell secured an unlikely clean sheet in Week 1 at Arsenal, but he was part of a defense that conceded two goals at home to lively Leicester last weekend. While Hammers goalkeeper Adrian got sent off during the latter affair and will miss this weekend's home date, West Ham's opponent, Bournemouth, shouldn't scare Cresswell and his fellow defenders much. Through their first two Premier League games in club history, the Cherries have yet to find the back of the net.
Aleksandar Kolarov
An apple of the eye of fantasy owners, the attack-minded Kolarov has seemingly supplanted Gael Clichy to become Manchester City's regular starter at left back this season. Along with posting a pair of clean sheets from that position, Kolarov has incredibly created seven scoring chances already. The Serbian is a handful to deal with going forward, which should test Everton's defense this weekend. Although the Citizens haven't fared well at Goodison Park recently, they and Kolarov's current form make for an intriguing Gameweek 3 proposition.
Midfielders:
Memphis Depay (C)
Louis van Gaal's marquee signing to date, Memphis was deployed out of position during most of the preseason and United's opening pair of league fixtures. However, the Dutchman was allowed to return to his favorite left wing station for the Red Devils' midweek Champions League playoff and rewarded van Gaal's decision with two stunning goals and an assist.
With considerable momentum stemming from that performance, Memphis should be chomping at the bit to face Newcastle at Old Trafford this weekend, as the Magpies have lost seven straight away Premiership games and conceded at least twice in six of those defeats.
Eden Hazard
Off to a relatively inconspicuous start, the reigning player of the season could bust out with a favorable matchup and a renewed sense of urgency this weekend at West Brom. In Chelsea's past six matches against the Baggies, Hazard has been the supplier of three goals and his chances of scoring are also boosted by the fact that West Brom conceded the fourth-most goals at home last term. In their lone home match this season, Tony Pulis' men shipped three to Manchester City in Week 1, offering Hazard an appetizing outlook for this weekend.
Riyad Mahrez
If the season ended today, Mahrez would arguably have the best case to claim Hazard's honor as the Premiership's top performer. That obviously will change, but Mahrez has begun this season like a house on fire, scoring three goals while leading Leicester to two wins out of the gate. This weekend, the Foxes play host to Tottenham, who they had no trouble scoring against last season. In fact, in three total matches versus Spurs last term, Leicester compiled seven goals. Just last weekend, Tottenham gave away a two-goal lead at home, showing a defensive deficiency that the momentarily magnificent Mahrez will hope to capitalize upon this Saturday.
Alexis Sanchez
Back from a summer that saw him score the game-winning penalty in his native Chile's Copa America triumph, Alexis returned to the starting lineup last weekend and led Arsenal with seven shots attempted. Although he didn't score himself, he set up an own goal that ultimately decided the match in the Gunners' favor. In Week 3, Alexis is assigned against a Liverpool team that he scored against at home last season, when Arsenal won 4-1. Through two weeks, Brendan Rodgers' men have yet to concede a goal, but Monday's showcase at the Emirates Stadium will surely be their toughest task yet.
Forwards:
Sergio Aguero
Another South American that returned to his club's starting setup last weekend, Aguero notched the opener in Manchester City's rout of Chelsea. The Citizens have now won eight straight Premier League games dating back to last season, when Aguero led the top-flight with 26 goals. None of those came against this weekend's opponent Everton, but the Toffees' back line could be facing Aguero at the most inopportune of times Sunday. Top defender Leighton Baines is expected to miss three months following ankle surgery, while young center half John Stones remains surrounded by swirling transfer rumors. Knowing that, Aguero should be primed to pounce when City visit Goodison Park.
Bafetimbi Gomis
With a goal in both of Swansea's matches thus far, Gomis has embraced his regular starting position, something former teammate Wilfried Bony blocked upon Gomis arrival in the Premiership last season. However, prior to signing with Swansea, Gomis had totaled at least 20goals for three straight seasons in France. Boasting stellar goal-scoring instincts, Gomis has an awesome matchup against Sunderland this weekend. Along with sitting in frightening last-place, the Black Cats have surrendered at least three goals in their past three Premiership games dating back to last season.
Diego Costa
Like his teammate Hazard, Costa has stumbled to start this season, often appearing agitated at any imaginable instance. Nonetheless, the mercurial marksman has a decent opportunity to turn his frown upside down this weekend at West Brom, who he scored against last season. Along with Chelsea's chaotic kickoff to the campaign, last year's 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns should invigorate Costa, who can strike fear in opposing defenses when focused. Although the Baggies blanked Watford last weekend, they'll be up against another animal this time around, and Costa could very well lead the Chelsea charge.
Bench
Goalkeeper: Sergio Romero
Back-to-back clean sheets to begin his Premier League career has helped Romero calm concerns over David de Gea's departure from the Red Devils' starting setup. This weekend, the Argentine goes for his third straight scoreless outing against a Newcastle team that posted a goose egg in Week 2.
Defender: Branislav Ivanovic
If he doesn't get the John Terry treatment by being benched for poor performance, Ivanovic actually has an encouraging outlook this weekend at West Brom, who have failed to score so far this season.
Defender: Hector Bellerin
Following a Week 1 absence due to injury, the swashbuckling Spaniard returned to his starting position last weekend and should retain his place for Monday's matchup with Liverpool, who he scored against last season.
Midfielder: Andre Ayew
An instant success in England, the Wales-based wideman has notched a goal in both of Swansea's matches thus far. Along with the aforementioned Gomis, Ayew is an accomplished attacker that could cause Sunderland plenty of problems this weekend.
Midfielder: Dimitri Payet
In his first two English encounters, Payet has surfaced with one goal and one assist, leading West Ham's attack along the way. For his third act, Payet gets to face newly promoted Bournemouth, perhaps his best matchup yet.
Midfielder: Yaya Toure
Along with having two goals and one assist already this season, Toure enters this weekend's match at Everton having scored against the Toffees last season.
Forward: Diafra Sakho
Averaging 2.5 shot attempts per game yet still looking for his first goal of the season, Saturday's home date against Bournemouth figures to include at least a couple more scoring opportunities for Sakho.
