How long has it been? Too long if you ask us. English Premier League returns today after a more than a month-long hiatus due to the World Cup. The action that stopped in mid-November restarts on Monday with none less than seven EPL games.The first matinee fixture will see Brentford facing favourites Tottenham, whose boss Antonio Conte is worried the recent World Cup has affected several of his key players who are still not fit and rest enough to engage properly in club football.Conte reveals he’s unhappy with such a quick restart of the season after the World CupThe last match in today’s programme will probably be the most exciting, as table toppers Arsenal are looking at their maiden challenge in the mission to clinch their first EPL title since The Invincibles in the 2003-04 season.Xhaka’s and Holding’s own goals seal Arsenal’s disturbing 2-0 defeat to Juve at EmiratesThe task has been made harder by the knee injury, which curtailed Gabriel Jesus’ World Cup involvement and is expected to keep him out for three months.All eyes are now on Eddie Nketiah, along with Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6906314##Mikel Arteta’s side is five points aloft on the summit and needs to kickstart the second part of the season with a statement win against the city rival West Ham United. David Moyes’ slot lost four of their five last EPL games and was more than happy to see the stoppage of the season, so they could regroup and save their dignity and pride after the hiatus ends.West Ham unearthed a rough diamond last year. Now they want to polish him into a new Jermaine DefoeThe side comprised of Soucek, Rice, Paqueta and Fornals ought to be much higher than on the relegation zone’s border, but it seems the Emirates are not the address to find their old form back.Anyhow, the clash between the Londoners promises a lot, especially in terms of goals.ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE – MATCHDAY 17Monday 15.30: (3.80) Brentford (3.50) Tottenham (2.10)18.00: (3.45) Leicester (3.40) Newcastle (2.25)18.00: (3.35) Southampton (3.40) Brighton (2.30)18.00: (2.65) Everton (3.05) Wolverhampton (3.05)18.00: (2.15) Crystal Palace (3.40) Fulham (3.70)20.30: (4.60) Aston Villa (3.70) Liverpool (1.85)23.00: (1.55) Arsenal (4.30) West Ham (6.75)***odds are subject to change
