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The Scout: EPL Week 14

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Everton vs Liverpool

The Merseyside derby is always an exciting fixture however these two sides could not be further apart in form right now. Everton (14th) have not managed to find a win in the Premier League in seven straight fixtures while their rival Liverpool (3rd) have won their last two matches in row.

Liverpool is starting to find their feet and have won their last two Premier League fixtures by a 4-0 score line. The Reds are playing incredibly on both ends of the pitch and with the addition of Diogo Joto to the starting XI replacing Roberto Firmino, the goals are coming in bunches. Liverpool have won eight of their last 10 matches, scoring at least twice in all 10.

Defensively Liverpool is back to their best since the return of Virgil Van Dijk who anchors the defense perfectly denying anyone who tries to pass him. The presence and strength of Dijk allows wing backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson to play with a lot more freedom giving Liverpool’s attack another avenue to goal.

The Toffees recent Premier League games have included three-goal defeats to Man City and Watford and coming up against a dynamic attacking side that includes Mohamed Salah will prove to be worrying for Everton fans. Liverpool have kept a clean sheet in back to back fixtures and with Everton’s struggles up front I do not see them troubling Liverpool in what will be an extremely one sided derby.

Suggested Bet: Liverpool WIN to Nil @ $2.48*

Aston Villa vs Manchester City

Aston Villa’s (13th) newly appointed manager Steven Gerrard has had the perfect start winning his first two Premier League matches at the helm with a 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and a 2-0 victory over Brighton.

The defending champions Manchester City (2nd) have won their last three in a row and during this run took care of some strong opponents including a 2-1 win over West Ham. Only a few days prior to the West Ham victory, the Citizens took care of business in the Champions League beating PSG 2-1.

Pep Guardiola has his team starting to hit their peak and are starting to put together a season defining run of victories like what they did last season. City have only lost once in their last 12 Premier League fixtures and are only one-point behind league leaders Chelsea.

Despite Gerrard’s great start, he will be truly put to the test against the genius of Guardiola and the talent of the Manchester City squad. City have world class players across every position and will completely out play an Aston Villa side that will give everything. In attack, City are second to none with Raheem Sterling returning to the starting XI to play alongside Gabriel Jesus. I expect this combination to be too much for Aston Villa and we will see City comfortably find plenty of goal scoring opportunities.

Suggested Bet: Total Goals by Manchester City Over 2.5 @ $2.50*

Manchester United vs Arsenal

Manchester United have slipped to 8th in the Premier League following three straight matches without a win while Arsenal have moved into 5th position after only losing once in their last 10 games.

Interim manager Michael Carrick has managed to remain undefeated however he was lucky to escape Stamford Bridge with any points at all. Chelsea was dominant in the first half against the Red Devils and should have put them away in the first 45 minutes however they were wasteful in front of goal allowing United the opportunity to draw the match.

The biggest surprise for the Chelsea fixture was star striker and Manchester United hero Cristiano Ronaldo starting on the bench. Carrick will not make the same mistake twice as Manchester United struggled to threaten and impact the scoreboard with Ronaldo resting.

In Front of a home crowd and after a disappointing run of matches, Manchester United will be desperate for a win. Whenever United have needed a saviour, Ronaldo has been there to answer. Despite his return to Manchester United being short, the Portuguese superstar has already produced massive game winning goals for his side. After being completely snubbed from the Ballon D’or and plenty of critics saying he is past his prime, Ronaldo will be looking to impress. Ronaldo can score goals in numerous ways, his speed and athleticism enables him the ability to do things many strikers can’t, I expect him to strike first in this match.

Suggested Bet: First Goal Scorer Cristiano Ronaldo @ $4.75*

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