The Scout: EPL Week 2 Preview

Posted on August 17, 2023 | Posted by The Scout

Saturday, August 19 10pm (WA time)

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Brighton

Sacked at the end of last season after his remarkable success in keeping Bournemouth in England’s top tier, Gary O’Neil had just four days to prepare for his return to a Premier League hotseat.

His first game in charge of Wolverhampton Wanderers resulted in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United but there were positive signs for Wolves, whose previous manager, Julen Lopetegui, had made a hasty exit just days before the season kicked off.

Against United, Wolves had more chances (23 to 15), more shots on target (6 to 3) and were denied what would have been a stoppage time penalty after goalkeeper Andre Onana flattened Sasa Kalajdzic. Matheus Nunes and Matheus Cunha were among Wolves’ shining lights with energy and effort, although the finishing touch was absent.

If a trip to Old Trafford is tough, the visit of Brighton and Hove Albion won’t be any easier. Roberto De Zerbi doesn’t quite have the squad of last season with Alexis Mac Allister having moved to Liverpool and Moises Caicedo making a record-breaking transfer to Chelsea this week. But even without two of last season’s stars, the De Zerbi method was far too much for Luton Town to handle as Brighton opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over the newly promoted Hatters.

Goal scorers Solly March, and young sensation Evan Ferguson, are familiar to Brighton fans, while Joao Pedro, newly arrived from Watford, and Ivory Coast striker Simon Adingra will be hoping to become regulars on the scoresheet. Kaoru Mitoma didn’t score but he continues to impress in an attacking midfield role.

Given the calibre of their first-up opponent, it’s difficult to gauge just how much the absence of Mac Alister and Caicedo will weaken Brighton this season. At this early stage, there are likely to be wrinkles to be ironed out and a trip to Molineux, where they came from behind to win 3-2 last season, won’t be straight forward.

Suggested Bet: Over 2.5 goals + Kaoru Mitoma to score (Same Game Multi) @ $4*

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Sunday, August 20 12.30am (WA time)

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester United

After taking a sane approach to concussion, Ange Postecoglou will dive headfirst into his first clash with Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Postecoglou removed Cristian Romero from Tottenham’s season opener against Brentford just 14 minutes in after the defender had headed Spurs’ opener. Postecoglou later explained that he was merely listening to the advice of medical staff.

But there were few further headaches for Big Ange, despite having to settle for a 2-2 draw in what was an exciting start to his Premier League career. There was, of course, no Harry Kane and his move to Bayern Munich means Manchester United won’t have to worry about his goal threat. But Tottenham looked like a team revived, compared to the dour days of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho.

At times, Spurs will take risks as they play out from the back, which will be open to punishment from the likes of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Mason Mount, who made his Premier League debut for United against Wolves following his move from Chelsea. But Tottenham’s approach will also get them deep into United territory in a far more controlled way than they have been able to achieve in recent seasons.

In Kane’s absence, chief goal scoring responsibilities have fallen to Richarlison, who has a long way to go before he is anywhere near as effective in the scoring department. However, in James Maddison, a new signing from Leicester City, Spurs have a creative threat that is complemented by the industrious Oliver Skipp and Yves Bissouma.

Manchester United have won four and drawn one of their previous six matches against Spurs, whose most recent victory against the Red Devils was a 6-1 thrashing in 2020. Kane scored two, as did Son Heung-min, whose late start to pre-season was reflected in a quiet performance against Brentford. Postecoglou will expect more from Son.

Despite their shaky start against Wolves, United manager Erik ten Hag will point to the three points on the board, secured by Raphael Varane’s second-half goal, as evidence that they continue to move in the right direction.

Suggested Bet: Spurs to win + Both teams to score (Same Game Multi) @ $4.35*

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Sunday, August 20 3am (WA time)

Manchester City v Newcastle United

When is the right time to take on Manchester City? Newcastle United are about to find out if facing them just two games into the season is a good or bad thing. With due respect to promoted Burnley, who were beaten 3-0 on the opening day of the season, Newcastle are expected to provide stiffer resistance to Pep Guardiola’s history-chasing side. In fact, with their Saudi millions and a manager high on confidence in Eddie Howe, Newcastle could be ready to spring the season’s first major surprise.

A 5-1 win over an Aston Villa side fancied to continue to improve under Unai Emery this season was a great start for the Toon. New midfield signing Sandro Tonali was a central figure in the win, scoring Newcastle’s opener, before Aleksandar Isak, Callum Wilson and, another new face in Harvey Barnes, were also on target. There will be no easy passage to goal against City, who will make a quick turnaround after Wednesday’s European Super Cup contest against Sevilla in Greece.

It will surprise no-one that Erling Haaland scored twice in City’s season opener, his first goal coming after just four minutes, and it’s not unreasonable to expect him to score every time he starts. Midfielder Rodri, who was also on target, doesn’t score quite so frequently but his role in midfield is vital to City’s cause. Newcastle’s chances of an upset win have been helped by the cloud hanging over Kevin De Bruyne, who played for just 23 minutes against Burnley before a recurrence of a hamstring injury.

But you have to jump in a time machine and travel back to place that no longer exists for Newcastle’s last away victory over Manchester City. The year was 2000, the goal scorer was Alan Shearer and the ground was Maine Road.

Suggested Bet: Half-time draw + Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $6.10*

*Odds correct as at 9am, 17th August 2023.

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