This article is part of our Mondogoal Fantasy Soccer series.
Due to the scheduling of a Friday match, as well as four Sunday fixtures in Gameweek 5, Saturday's Mondogoal Premier League slate will offer just 10 teams to select from. Potentially accounting for further complication is the fact that the Champions League kicked off this week, which could see Arsenal and Leicester City rotate their squads.
Because of the ever-growing pool of talent in England, there are still many attractive options to mull over this week, even if some of the matchups are not quite as obvious at first glance.
GOALKEEPER
Claudio Bravo, MCI v. BOU (£7.2m): Bravo made his Premier League debut last week and earned an away victory against an in-form Manchester United side, and he then followed that up with a clean sheet Wednesday in the Champions League. The Citizens are heavy favorites as they host a Bournemouth side that have yet to score on the road this season, and he could receive a further boost defensively if Vincent Kompany is deemed fit enough to return.
Maarten Stekelenburg, EVE v. MID (£5.6m): Stekelenburg has been excellent this season and has Everton off to an unbeaten start in which he has allowed just two goals through five competitive matches, including three consecutive clean sheets. He will face a matchup versus a Middlesbrough side that have managed just two goals in their last three matches in all competitions and should be considered a top option for those looking to save at the goalkeeper position this week.
DEFENDER
Laurent Koscielny, ARS at HUL (£10.3m): Koscielny enjoyed an eventful Gameweek 4 in which he scored a bicycle-kick goal and suffered a gruesome facial injury, but he was well enough to participate in Tuesday's Champions League match versus PSG. Koscielny has been one of the highest-scoring defenders in league play with an average of 9.6 fantasy points per game this season, and he will be a central figure as the Gunners look to continue their strong recent form versus Hull City on Saturday.
Christian Fuchs, LEI v. BUR (£7.6m): Fuchs was among the most desirable fantasy defenders last season, but a couple of less-than-stellar away results through four matches have depressed his price. Despite his overall average of just 4.9 fantasy points per game, Fuchs has averaged over seven per game in his two home matches and should be in for another productive outing versus a Burnley side that fell 3-0 in their only previous away match this season.
Seamus Coleman, EVE v. MID (£7.0m): Coleman made his season debut in Gameweek 4 versus Sunderland and was able to generate a healthy 8.06 fantasy points in an impressive Toffees win. Coleman's place along a formidable Everton back line and his ability to contribute to the attack should have his value on the rise quite quickly after missing the start of the season, making him a relative bargain at his current price point.
MIDFIELDER
Kevin De Bruyne, MCI v. BOU (£13.0m): De Bruyne pushed a bit further up the field last week versus Manchester United in the wake of Sergio Aguero's suspension, and he responded with his first goal of the season en route to a Man of the Match performance. He also has two assists through four league matches and should continue to carry a heavy load Saturday versus a Bournemouth defense that ranked near the very bottom of the league last season.
Riyad Mahrez, LEI v. BUR (£9.9m): Mahrez hasn't scored in league play since a 15.55-point effort in Gameweek 1, and as a result is tied for 11th in price among midfielders for Saturday's slate. His brace Wednesday in the Champions League shows that he still carries immense upside on a weekly basis and should be worth the risk as the Foxes look to bounce back at home versus Burnley following a poor showing last week versus Liverpool.
Nacer Chadli, WBA v. WHU (£6.5m): Chadli has been thrust back into a prominent role after leaving Tottenham, as he made his Baggies debut last week versus Bournemouth. He is expected to play in an advanced role for his new club in a similar manner to the way he was deployed when he had 14 goals and six assists just two seasons ago. Listed as a midfielder at a very conservative price, Chadli could come through this weekend at home to a West Ham side who currently sit 19th in the league with nine goals against through four matches.
FORWARD
Alexis Sanchez, ARS at HUL (£10.5m): Alexis endured a slow start to the season while playing out of position and recovering from an injury, but he is showing signs of hitting his stride of late. He came through with a vital goal during Tuesday's Champions League match versus PSG, giving him two in his last two starts at club level. Just as importantly, Olivier Giroud seems poised to finally rejoin the starting XI in league play this weekend versus Hull City, meaning Alexis will be shifted back to the flank where he is most effective.
Romelu Lukaku, EVE v. MID (£8.5m): Lukaku will face a tough matchup against a sound Middlesbrough back line Saturday, but his current form is simply too much to ignore. The striker notched a hat-trick in Gameweek 4 against Sunderland, giving him a whopping five goals in his last two matches for club and country. The Toffees have surged to third place in the table after an unbeaten start and should spend most of Saturday's match on the front foot.
Kelechi Iheanacho, MCI v. BOU (£6.9m): Iheanacho was inserted into the starting XI last week as Sergio Aguero began serving a three-match suspension, and he came through with an assist and a vital goal that ultimately decided the much-anticipated Manchester derby. Iheanacho also scored Wednesday in the Champions League with Aguero active, indicating that he carries immense upside any time he is in the lineup with the likes of De Bruyne, Nolito and Raheem Sterling supporting him. He should be a worthy low-cost option at home this weekend versus a vulnerable Bournemouth defensive unit.
