The Scout: EPL Week 30 Preview

Posted on April 6, 2023April 6, 2023 | Posted by The Scout

Manchester United v Everton

Manchester United face Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off with plenty riding on the result for both teams.

The visit of the Toffees will be United’s second home Premier League game in under three days, with defeat to Newcastle and a narrow win over Brentford.

This will give Erik ten Hag’s side an opportunity to put their cup commitments to one side and focus on making the top four.

Last weekend’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle was only their third league fixture since February 19 – none of which was won. Contrast that to their superb cup form during the same period.

They were victorious in the Carabao Cup final, knocked West Ham and Fulham out of the FA Cup to reach the semi-finals, and advanced to the last eight of the Europa League after seeing off La Liga duo Barcelona and Real Betis.

Marcus Rashford has been fantastic this season, although he had hit a bit of a low before scoring the winner against Brentford. He pulled out of Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine with a toe injury, then came under fire after posting photos of himself on holiday in New York. After a poor display at St James’ Park he bounced back with a thumping finish against the Bees.

United cannot afford to be as passive against Everton, who are scrapping for their lives in 16th place.

Manager Sean Dyche has added resilience and organisation since replacing Frank Lampard at the end of January and they are unbeaten in four. In the last two games, away at Chelsea and at home to Tottenham, they have salvaged crucial draws with late equalisers.

However, Everton’s record at United is grim. They have won just twice at Old Trafford in the Premier League, and one of those was in the competition’s first week in August 1992. United also beat Everton in the FA Cup in January.

If James Garner starts against his former club, then Everton’s ball retention should increase. But their scoring options remain limited, with no suggestion that Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be back and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure suspended following his red card against Spurs.

Suggested Bet: United to win + Under 2.5 goals (Same Game Multi) @ $3.45*

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Southampton v Manchester City

Manchester City could not ask for a better game than this trip to the south coast as they look to maintain the pressure on leaders Arsenal.

Seriously impressive in their 4-1 thrashing of Liverpool, Pep Guardiola’s team have had a full week to prepare for their visit to the Premier League’s bottom club.

There is also the likely return of 28-goal Erling Haaland, who missed Norway’s recent Euro 2024 qualifiers and the win over Liverpool with an ongoing groin problem.

Even if Guardiola holds back Haaland for next week’s UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg with Bayern Munich, it is hard to make any kind of case for the Saints.

Yes, they defeated a below-par City 2-0 in the Carabao Cup in January. However, there is little to suggest they can pull another rabbit out of the hat.

Southampton have won just twice at home in the league this season and no team has scored fewer goals. They were poor in losing to a limited West Ham on Sunday when a little more ambition might have made a difference.

James Ward-Prowse will always be a threat from set-pieces, but Ruben Selles’ side will likely be camped inside their own half from the first whistle.

Every match for City from now until the season ends is a must-win, given Arsenal’s form and eight-point lead.

And with the Champions League tie with Bayern on the horizon, expect Guardiola to look to get the job done as quickly as possible.

Suggested Bet: City over 1.5 goals at half-time @ $2.85*

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Liverpool v Arsenal

Trips to Anfield don’t usually end well for Arsenal. They have not won there in the league since 2012 and are regularly on the end of a good hiding.

The most brutal came nine years ago, when the Gunners arrived on Merseyside top of the table. Twenty minutes into the game and they were on their knees, four goals down and exposed as imposters. Their title challenge never recovered.

That game finished 5-1 and it was a similar scoreline in 2018. Then two years ago, Mikel Arteta squared up to Jurgen Klopp, the home fans got fired up and Arsenal were sent packing 4-0.

But this Arsenal feels different. Players like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli aren’t bothered by the side’s past failings. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus are winners from their time with Manchester City. These players are up for the challenges in front of them, including the chance to complete a first league double over the Reds since 2009-10.

Arsenal are on a six-game winning streak and were clinical against Leeds last time out. Jesus’ two-goal return in his first start since November will have delighted Arteta as his side prepare for their final nine matches of the campaign.

Liverpool, by their incredibly high standards, have had a poor season. Talk is there will be an overhaul in the close season, especially to the midfield, and manager Jurgen Klopp said in a press conference before a midweek goalless draw with Chelsea that he was still in a job only because of his past success.

Liverpool were dreadful at the Etihad last Saturday, and there is irony in Manchester City now wanting Klopp and his players to do them a favour, given their rivalry over the past five years. That won’t interest the German, who has his own concerns with his side sitting outside of the European places.

However, big games at Anfield still bring out the best in Liverpool, as Manchester United found out last month, and they have won nine and lost only one of their 13 home games. Arteta won’t admit it, but a point would not be the worst outcome for his side.

Suggested Bet: Draw + Both teams to score (Same Game Multi) @ $4.10*

*Odds correct as at 10am, 6th April 2023.

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