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The Scout: EPL Week 3 Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Manchester United v Liverpool

Darwin Nunez’s red card against Crystal Palace would have come as a relief to Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag, who faces the biggest test of his short Premier League career. No Nunez for Liverpool means one less thing for Ten Hag to worry about.

So far, it has been a sporting calamity for the former Ajax manager, whose record stands at two games and two defeats (to Brighton and Brentford) with six goals conceded and just one scored – and even that was on own goal by Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister.

Ten Hag has good reason to be concerned ahead of this match, although Liverpool’s own faltering start – and Nunez’s brain fade against Crystal Palace – have changed things slightly. United are still bottom of the table and have a disjointed team of players who look like they’d rather be somewhere else. For their part, Liverpool have shown positive signs in their draws against Fulham and Crystal Palace, and a more potent performance could be just around the corner.

Given their lack of resilience against Brentford, United’s defence of Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Luke Shaw and new signing Lisandro Martinez can’t possibly be looking forward to a date with Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz.

There is an expectation that results will turn quickly for a Liverpool side used to success under Klopp. The same can’t be said of United, who have blown hot and cold under seven different managers since Sir Alex Ferguson left in 2013.

This could get ugly.

Suggested Bet: Liverpool to win + Over 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $2.55*

Newcastle v Manchester City

If there is a good time to face Manchester City, it probably isn’t now. City got their season off to a flyer with 2-0 away win over West Ham United before wiping the floor with Bournemouth (4-0) at the Etihad Stadium. Everything about Pep Guardiola’s side has looked slick, quick and effective.

With the introduction of Erling Haaland, City have a new avenue to goal, and the only question seems to be not if they score but how many they will get. Haaland, who scored both goals against the Hammers, was a virtual spectator against Bournemouth, and it was the midfield menace of Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden and Ilkay Gundogan that lit up the scoreboard. With the likes of Jack Grealish, Rodri, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Kalvin Phillips also in their ranks, City have enviable midfield depth.

If Newcastle are to have an impression on this game, they will need Bruno Guimaraes to be at the top of his game in the middle of the pitch. The Brazilian has been a key figure in the Newcastle midfield since joining from Lyon in January and will be keen to do better than his last outing against City. Newcastle were beaten 5-0 in May, and Guimaraes was booked, as City marched towards the title.

Newcastle, now under the control of cashed-up Saudi Arabian owners, have made a solid start to the new season with victory over Nottingham Forest and a hard-fought goalless draw away to Brighton.  Guimaraes, Joelinton and Joe Willock were forced to dig deep against Graham Potters’ men. Against City, they might need buckets and spades to get the job done.

Suggested Bet: City to win + Over 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $2.38*

Everton v Nottingham Forest

The fanfare and celebration of surviving the drop last season has long gone as Frank Lampard faces a new Everton reality. After last season’s heroics, when they won three of their last six games to preserve their Premier League status, the talk was of building and improving.

But there is still so much about Everton’s future that remains uncertain. Richarlson has joined Tottenham, Anthony Gordon could be on his way to Chelsea and Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains within shouting distance of the treatment room.

Successive defeats to Aston Villa and Chelsea added to the pessimistic outlook for Everton, who need things to change quickly. After taking on Forest, Lampard’s side travel to Brentford and then take on Leeds at Elland Road. That’s nine points up for grabs before they take on Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby of the season.

Victory over newly promoted Forest would be a perfect way to kick-start Everton’s season but the visitors will have other ideas. Rather than stick with the tried-and-tested formula that earned promotion last season, Forest boss Steve Cooper has brought in 15 players – including goalkeeper Dean Henderson on loan from Manchester United, and Union Berlin striker Taiwo Awoniyi. It will take time to have his side playing with cohesion, but the effort and endeavour was obvious in last weekend’s 1-0 win over West Ham United.

Forest rode their luck at times – and Henderson was outstanding – but the longer the season progresses, the better Cooper will expect his side to be.

Suggested Bet: Forest to win @ $4.25*

*Odds correct as at 11am, 18th August 2022.

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