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The Scout: EPL Week 21 Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Liverpool v Chelsea

Few would have expected this to be a mid-table clash at the halfway point of the season but that is the current state of affairs with Liverpool and Chelsea sitting 9th and 10th.

Liverpool were humbled by a free flowing Brighton & Hove Albion side in their last outing, losing 3-0 with just 39% of possession and 2 shots on target. Injuries have hit Jurgen Klopp’s side hard with Virgin van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Arthur Melo, and Darwin Nunez all unavailable for that game. Nunez is the closest to returning and could feature.

Chelsea, meanwhile, could hand a debut to big money signing Mykhailo Mudryk who has been training with his new teammates this week. The 22-year-old Ukrainian international cost a whopping £89 million and penned an 8-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge so supporters are understandably keen to see him on the pitch as soon as possible.

Graham Potter’s side made hard work of their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday, a second half header from Kai Havertz was enough for three points. However, a clean sheet will do them the world of good given the defence included debutant and recent acquisition Benoit Badiashile and 18-year-old Lewis Hall.

With Liverpool’s injury woes and the boost Chelsea receive from the Mudryk signing, there is good value in the away win

Suggest Bet: Chelsea to win @ 4.20*

West Ham United v Everton

It’s the battle of the cellar dwellers as West Ham United in 18th host 19th place Everton on Saturday. Both sides have picked up just 1 point from the last 15 available, a run that has seen them dragged into the relegation zone.

West Ham finished 7th last time round and their drop off has been startling – they have lost 6 of the last 7 in the league – and the goodwill towards David Moyes is running out week-by-week. The Hammers have been linked with the likes of Harry Maguire and Youssef En-Nesyri in the January transfer window as they look to turn their fortunes around.

For their part, Everton again find themselves at the wrong end of the table, with supporters turning on the board and players both during and after last week’s home defeat to Southampton. Frank Lampard’s side led before James Ward-Prowse struck twice in the second half to turn the game on its head.

Everton have also been touted to make some signings in the coming week or two but that won’t appease supporters who have made it very clear that it is time for a change at the top. Indeed, the club’s top directors were advised to stay away from the last game due to concerns for their safety.

If either side wins this game, it will give their survival hopes a massive boost and West Ham are strong favourites in their own backyard.

Suggest Bet: Both teams to score + Demarai Gray Over 0.5 shots on target (Same Game Multi) @ 3.75*

Arsenal v Manchester United

The most mouth-watering game of the weekend is at The Emirates as two in-form teams go head-to-head. Arsenal are flying at the top of the table and have lost only once this campaign, but that defeat was at hands of opponents Manchester United in September’s reverse fixture.

Erik ten Hag’s side delivered a statement performance in last weekend’s Manchester Derby, coming from behind to defeat rivals City 2-1. There was more than a hint of controversy around Bruno Fernandes’ goal, with Marcus Rashford ruled to have not interfered with play from an offside position, before Rashford himself netted the winner.

However, they stumbled against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, conceding an injury to time equaliser to share the spoils. United have won 5 of their last 6 league games, conceding just 3 times in the process, and they will need to be at their best again defensively against the second highest scoring side. Casemiro has been a revelation since getting a consistent run in the starting line-up but a fifth yellow card of the season against Palace means he is now suspended.

In the North London Derby, Arsenal cruised to a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur to open an 8-point gap to second spot. The World Cup injury to Gabriel Jesus hasn’t slowed them down and skipper Martin Odegaard again led by example with his 8th league goal of the season.

In team news, Emile Smith Rowe got some minutes into his legs in Arsenal’s FA Cup win over Oxford United. The attacker had been out since September having undergone groin surgery, and he would be a handy option off the bench. United’s Anthony Martial is expected to again miss out following his half time withdrawal against City but Wout Weghorst is in the frame following his loan move to the club.

This game has the potential to be one of the season’s best and with both teams flying, we could see plenty of action at both ends.

Suggest Bet: Both teams to score + Over 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ 2.10*

*Odds correct as at 7am, 19th January 2023.

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