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The Scout: EPL Week 4 Preview

Posted on | Posted by The Scout

Saturday, September 2 10pm kick-off (WA time) 

Sheffield United v Everton 

Neither team goes into this match in good form. Three straight defeats to kick-off the new season has left Sheffield United in 17th place and Everton rock bottom.

The Toffees haven’t quite looked as bad as the early league table suggests. In losses to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Aston Villa and Fulham they conceded six goals and failed to score. But there have been some signs that goals will come. Everton have created an average of 2.33 chances per game, compared to Sheffield United’s 0.33.

Everton’s goals are unlikely to come from injury-prone Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The big striker has played just 38 minutes of the season and was sidelined for the defeat to Fulham with a cheekbone injury. Although the likes of Arnaut Danjuma, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner haven’t found the net yet, they have all threatened a breakthrough.

The Blades’ start has not been great either, although after narrow defeats to Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest they gave champions Manchester City a mighty scare at the weekend. City won, 2-1, but for three precious minutes Jayden Bogle’s goal had United level before Rodri spoiled the party.

Goalkeeper Wes Foderingham was outstanding, despite conceding twice, while Vinicius Souza and Oliver Norwood, who both toiled in midfield, can expect more of the ball against the Toffees.

United had only 20% of possession against City and created few opportunities, but the gritty performance will serve as motivation before the visit of Everton.

Everton manager Sean Dyche knows a thing or two about resilience having been the architect of Burnley’s long stay in the Premier League before digging the Toffees out of a hole last season. But all the work done to keep them in the top tier will quickly unravel if they don’t find a way to score goals, especially against an opponent with struggles of its own.

Suggested Bet: Sheffield United to win @ $3.05*

Sunday, September 3 9pm kick-off (WA time) 

Liverpool v Aston Villa 

Confidence will be soaring at Liverpool after they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against Newcastle United last weekend. But the consequences of that performance, in which Virgil van Dijk was sent off, will resonate against a Villa side with its own motivations.

Van Dijk, such an important presence in the Liverpool defence, will be unavailable for this fixture against a Villa side that has recovered well from an opening day mauling by Newcastle.

That 5-1 defeat seems a distant memory for Unai Emery and his men, who have beaten Everton (4-0) and Burnley (3-1) since then. Moussa Diaby and Matty Cash have scored twice this season and it’s fair to expect Ollie Watkins to get off the mark in the Premier League soon, especially after his hat-trick in a European fixture against Hibernian last week.

Villa fans won’t need to be reminded that Watkins chipped in with three goals in a 7-2 win in 2020, which was the last time the Midlands club beat Liverpool.

Villa have improved immeasurably under Emery, although he is unlikely to ever reach the heights that Klopp has achieved on Merseyside.

Sunday’s win over Newcastle was another of those famous Klopp nights. A man down and trailing 1-0, Klopp introduced Darwin Nunez from the bench who produced two goals in 12 minutes to seal victory.

After making three appearances from the bench, the Uruguayan may just have done enough to earn a place in the starting line-up. Liverpool have scored two goals per game this season with Villa averaging 2.67.

It’s too early to consider whether either side can keep up this level of entertainment but both Klopp and Emery will certainly try.

Suggested Bet: Liverpool win + Over 2.5 goals + Both teams to score (Same Game Multi) @ $2.55*

Sunday, September 3 11.30pm kick-off (WA time) 

Arsenal v Manchester United 

Forget the form, feel the recent history. The gloss on this fixture may not quite shine as much as it did when Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira were squaring up to each other, but there is still plenty on the line for both sides.

And a quick glance at the past four Premier League encounters between these teams suggests there should be goals. Arsenal have won two (3-2 and 3-1) and so have Manchester United, by exactly the same scores. That’s an average of 4.5 goals per game.

Last time these sides met, United led twice only to be sunk by Eddie Nketiah’s second goal of the game in the 90th minute as the Gunners claimed a 3-2 victory in January. Back then, Arsenal were still chasing a title that slipped away in the closing games of the season.

Nketiah could be the man to do it again after responding to being dropped to the bench against Fulham by coming on and scoring. Preferred in the no. 9 role in the opening game of the season, Nketiah scored Arsenal’s first goal of the season in a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest. The performance kept him in the team for the win over Palace before he was left out against Fulham.

Bukayo Saka continues to be a goalscoring threat for Arsenal and, like Nketiah, he has found the net twice. There is a huge amount to like about Arsenal’s revamped midfield of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice and Kai Havertz but it will take time to gel.

Manchester United’s start has given little indication of where they are likely to finish the season. A narrow win over Wolves was followed by defeat to Tottenham Hotspur before a much-needed win over Nottingham Forest.

United had been two goals down with just four minutes gone against Forest. But goals from Christian Eriksen and Casemiro had them level before Forest skipper Joe Worrall was sent off. Bruno Fernandes then had Old Trafford shaking when he scored from the penalty spot. If they can build on this, we might start to see a more consistent United. But there seems to be far more for Erik ten Hag to sort out then there is for Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Suggested Bet: Over 3.5 goals + Arsenal to win (Same Game Multi) @ $3.95* 

*Odds correct as at 9am, 31st August 2023.

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