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The Scout: EPL Week 23 Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

West Ham v Chelsea

Eleven points separate West Ham United, who are 16th, and ninth-placed Chelsea but that won’t stop the Hammers believing they can build on their recent improvement.

Two goals from Jarrod Bowen secured victory over Everton before last week’s draw away to Newcastle United was a more obvious signal that David Moyes was steering his side in the right direction.

But West Ham remain within a whisker of the drop zone – they are just a point above third-bottom Everton – and a win over misfiring Chelsea will be worth more in the dressing room than the three points on the table.

Before the win over Everton, West Ham had lost six and drawn one of their seven Premier League matches, which led to rumours that Moyes was on borrowed time.

If the wheel hasn’t yet turned, it’s started to creak and, given Chelsea’s own erratic form, West Ham will fancy their chances of getting something out of this one.

Graham Potter hasn’t exactly set Stamford Bridge alight, although he was appointed just after a new owner came in following Roman Abramovich’s departure.

This is not the Chelsea of old and neither is it truly looking like a Potter side yet. They are reasonably well organised and have kept eight clean sheets this season. But goals don’t come easily to Chelsea, who have lost five of their last 10 Premier League matches, of which they have won just two.

There have been injury troubles with N’Golo Kante, Wesley Fofana, Reece James, Armando Broja and Christian Pulisic among those who have been sidelined this season.

But the talent pool is not entirely dry. Chelsea were held to goalless draws by Fulham and Liverpool in their past two matches, despite having the attacking threat of Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher and new signing Mykhailo Mudryk on the pitch.

Suggested Bet: Chelsea to win @ $2.23*

Arsenal v Brentford

Arsenal had been in great form this season but that counted for nothing when Everton scored an unexpected victory against the Premier League leaders at Goodison Park. Getting back on track immediately is crucial to Arsenal’s title push but manager Mikel Arteta won’t be underestimating vastly improved Brentford.

Unbeaten since an October thrashing at the hands of Aston Villa, the Bees’ improvement has included a victory away to Manchester City, a draw with Tottenham Hotspur and deserved victory at home to Liverpool.

In their last nine Premier League games, Thomas Frank’s side have drawn four and won five, including last weekend’s 3-0 victory over Southampton that put the Bees into seventh place.

Ivan Toney is their main avenue to goal, with 17 this season, while Bryan Mbeumo’s influence is often much greater than the five goals he has scored suggests.

Despite Brentford’s form, this is a game Arsenal must win if they are to claim their first Premier League title since 2004.

Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham meant Arsenal dodged a bullet when they lost to Everton, and the Gunners have maintained a five point lead over Pep Guardiola’s defending champions.

Arteta will hope that captain Martin Odegaard brushes off last week’s rare poor performance with a much improved showing against Brentford. More will also be expected from Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli, who have all contributed to the Gunners’ success so far this season.

Arsenal can send a message to their title rivals by ending Brentford’s unbeaten run but that won’t be easy.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ $4.80*

Fulham v Nottingham Forest

Marco Silva has deserved high praise for his efforts in turning Championship winners Fulham into a team holding its own in the Premier League.

Up to eighth place, in no small part due to the 11-goal contribution of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Fulham have turned a season that might have been about survival into one that could lead them into Europe.

For now, though, Silva will be more concerned with getting his side back on the winning trail in the league after defeats to Newcastle and Tottenham were followed by a goalless draw with Chelsea. Mitrovic, whose early season form had been so good that his current run of three games without a goal is the longest stretch this campaign, can do his manager a favour by ending his mini drought.

There’s a lot more to admire in Silva’s squad with Joao Palinha, Andreas Pereira, Willian, Harrison Reed, Tim Ream and Bobby Decordova-Reid among the shining lights this season.

But while Fulham quickly established their Premier League credentials this season, Nottingham Forest, who were promoted to the top flight via the playoffs, have taken their time to get going.

An apparently never-ending flow of incoming players, including Jonjo Shelvey, Danilo, Andre Ayew and two others in the recent transfer window, has given manager Steve Cooper plenty to work with. It has taken a while, but he now seems to have moulded them into a useful team.

Forest climbed from last place to 13th in a six-game spell and they have maintained that place. Now unbeaten in their last five Premier League games, victory this weekend would lift them to within five points of Fulham.

Brennan Johnson has been in great form for Forest, scoring five goals including a stunning winner against Leeds last weekend.

Suggested Bet: Fulham to win + Under 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $4.20*

*Odds correct as at 9am, 9th February 2023.

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