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The Scout: EPL Week 17 Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Southampton v Brighton

World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister is unlikely to be involved in Brighton’s return to Premier League action against south coast rivals Southampton giving the Saints some hope of an upset.

The brilliant midfielder was one of the players of the tournament as a Lionel Messi-inspired Argentina claimed the cup in Qatar. But given he has joined his countrymen in celebrations in Buenos Aires, he is unlikely to return to Premier League action until the New Year.

Southampton will be buoyed by the news given they have lost their past three games and conceded eight goals in the process. New manager Nathan Jones, whose introduction to the job was a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool before the league recess, has a big job ahead of him.

Saints, second from bottom and with just three wins from 15 matches, have talent in their ranks but were hit and miss throughout the reign of previous manager Ralph Hasenhuttl. James Ward-Prowse might consider himself a little unlucky to have missed out on a place in the England squad, while Armel Bella-Kotchap (Germany) and Mohammed Salisu (Ghana) both travelled to Qatar.

Jones, though, will have to work around the clock if he is to find the kind of consistency that alluded Hasenhuttl.

If the Welshman looks across at the Brighton bench, in Roberto De Zerbi he will see a man just a little further along his own Premier League journey. De Zerbi took over from Chelsea-bound Graham Potter in September. Like Jones, De Zerbi’s first game in charge was against Liverpool. The Italian, though, was the architect of a thrilling 3-3 draw.

Since then, Brighton have lost four, won two and drawn one match. But it’s hard not to be impressed by De Zerbi’s approach and the drive provided by Ecuador star Moises Caicedo and Germany’s Pascal Gross, as well as free-scoring Belgian Leandro Trossard.

Suggest Bet: Brighton to win @ $2.15*

Arsenal v West Ham

High-flying Arsenal will be looking to reassert the dominance they showed prior to the World Cup by sweeping aside West Ham United.

The Gunners, who are five points clear at the top of the Premier League, had been in fine form before a World Cup interruption they really didn’t need. Ten Arsenal players were involved at the World Cup with varying levels of involvement.

Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli each made three appearances for Brazil in Qatar, while Bukayo Saka (England), Thomas Partey (Ghana), Granit Xhaka (Switzerland) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan) had even more game time for their respective countries.

But no player should be exhausted and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has indicated his stars are keen to play.

Emile Smith Rowe, who benefited from the World Cup break by having groin surgery, has returned to training but might not be ready for this one. Although he has made just four appearances this season, his 10 goals last season are testament to his potential value to the team.

Hammers boss David Moyes has been on shaky ground and victory against Arsenal would go a long way towards easing the pressure. But recent results suggest this will be another tough one for West Ham, who have lost their last three Premier League games and have won just one of their last six.

Sitting in 16th place, just two points above the relegation zone, West Ham will be hoping England international Declan Rice is ready for a swift return to action.

It’s hard to see how the Gunners can lose this one.

Suggested Bet: Arsenal to win + Over 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $2.25*

Manchester United v Nottingham Forest

Manchester United are likely to be a much better side without Cristiano Ronaldo, and Nottingham Forest could be the first Premier League team to find out.

Ronaldo’s bitter TV interview was swiftly followed by a mutual termination as United manager Erik ten Hag put the team first, opening the door for others at United to benefit.

One of those is Marcus Rashford, who had some good moments for England at the World Cup and scored an impressive mid-week goal in a League Cup win over Burnley.

Rashford, who has scored four goals in 14 Premier League appearances this season, is likely to see more game time in the number nine position (rather than on the left), which should result in a higher goals-to-games ratio. The likes of Anthony Martial and Bruno Fernandes can also step up in the goalscoring stakes in Ronaldo’s absence.

Nottingham Forest have made a poor start to life in the Premier League, winning just three games. They won’t want to think about the last time they played against the Red Devils in a top-flight fixture – an 8-1 defeat was one of 22 losses in the 1998-99 season as Forest finished last.

But recent form will give diehard Forest fans some hope that the millions spent on new players is starting to pay dividends.  They have won two and drawn two of their most recent five matches, although they remain third from bottom.

Brennan Johnson, Morgan Gibbs-White and Taiwo Awoniyi are the most likely avenue to goal for Forest, while Jesse Lingard will return to Old Trafford aiming to get one over his former club.

But United, who are fifth, can seize the opportunity to mark the start of the post-Ronaldo era with a statement win.

Suggested Bet: Manchester United to win + Rashford to score @ $2.70*

*Odds correct as at 9am, 23rd December 2022.

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