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It's round 31 of an enthralling Premier League campaign, with matches played right across the weekend again. Bournemouth and Manchester United open the show at Dean Court, before followers enjoy four games on Sunday morning, with three more on Monday morning. Arsenal start in pole position, nine points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City, with Man Utd in third.
Both Arsenal and Man City meet in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Monday from 3:30am AEDT. That hands the likes of Michael Carrick and Unai Emery a golden opportunity to inch closer to the leaders. At the opposite end of the table, six teams are involved in a relegation dog fight that's looking uglier and more unpredictable with the passing of each week.
Which teams will boost their tally by three points in Gameweek 31? The leading online bookmakers featured at Flashscore offer an impressive list of pre-match betting markets, with eye-catching odds attached. If you need a little help spotting the value and finding a winner, Frank Monkhouse returns with his in-depth preview and betting predictions.
Bournemouth v Man Utd, Saturday, 7:00am AEDT
The curtain goes up on Saturday morning, as Bournemouth and Manchester United clash under the bright lights at Dean Court. The stadium will be packed, with many in Australia following the play live on Stan and Flashscore. Who wins? The stats, form, and online betting odds all point to victory for the Red Devils, but the Cherries are difficult to beat, especially on their patch.
The hosts enter on the back of a long unbeaten run. Andoni Iraola's team started the week in 10th, and within touching distance of the European places. Despite their form, Bournemouth have drawn each of their previous four matches, ending 0-0 in three of them. They've failed to score in two Premier League starts this month, ending level with Brentford and Burnley.
Man Utd have won four, drawn one, and lost one of their previous six EPL starts. They thrashed Aston Villa 3-1 at Old Trafford last weekend, but have a poor record against Friday's opponents. United haven't beaten Bournemouth in five, going back to May 2023. Included in that run are three draws, which encourages us to stick with the locals.
Tip: Bournemouth or draw @ 1.70 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Your bet wins if Bournemouth can avoid a home defeat on Friday.
Brighton v Liverpool, Saturday, 11:30pm AEDT
The first of an important four-match programme on Saturday night. We're at Falmer Stadium in East Sussex, where the Seagulls play the Reds. Brighton are down in the bottom half of the table after winning three and losing three of their last six league games. They've played three times in March, beating Forest 2-1, losing 1-0 to Arsenal, and edging Sunderland 1-0.
Liverpool travel following a mixed bag of results. Arne Slot's team are fifth and in the mix for a top-four finish. Despite chalking up three wins on the bounce, the defending champions are winless in two, following a shock loss at Molineux with a disappointing two-goal draw with lowly Tottenham at Anfield. Victory could move them above a toiling Aston Villa.
These teams have met twice already this term, with Liverpool winning 2-0 at Anfield in the league and 3-0 in the FA Cup. Their last meeting at this venue ended in a 3-2 Brighton win last May. The H2H stats show a bet on over 2.5 goals landed in nine of the previous ten encounters. It was also a smart bet in Liverpool's last away game. Back over two goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.62 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Brighton v Liverpool must produce three or more goals.
Everton v Chelsea, Sunday, 4:30am AEDT
Everton welcome Chelsea on Sunday morning. The Toffees and Blues have served up some competitive games in recent times, including a 2-0 home win at Stamford Bridge late last year. Everton arrive looking for revenge and a third win in four league starts under Scottish manager David Moyes.
While the Toffees hope to improve their chances of a Europa League finish, Chelsea are desperate for what would be their second win in six. The Londoners have one win, two draws, and a couple of defeats in five. That sticky spell has dragged them down to fifth, and they lost 1-0 at home to Newcastle United last weekend. The pressure is beginning to build.
Everton lost 2-0 at the Emirates, but enjoyed a clear week to prepare for this match. Chelsea lost on Saturday, battled European champions PSG in London on Tuesday, and now face their third match in a seven-day period. I expect a few tired legs in the visiting camp, making for a low-scoring night. Under 3.5 goals landed in four of the last five renewals of this fixture.
Tip: Under 3.5 goals @ 1.40 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Saturday evening's match must end with fewer than four goals scored.
Leeds v Brentford, Sunday, 7:00am AEDT
The main attraction on Sunday morning comes from Elland Road, where Leeds United face Brentford. The home team sit dangerously close to the relegation zone after winning only seven of their 30 matches. Daniel Farke's team are winless in five, losing 1-0 to Sunderland in their last home game. Despite their form, Leeds left Brentford with a 1-1 draw last year.
The Bees play their second match of the week, after hosting bottom club Wolves in Monday Night Football. Keith Andrews has Brentford higher in the table than many expected, and they have a strong chance of a top-six finish. With Brentford aiming for the prizes and Leeds eager to pull clear of a fierce relegation battle, this encounter will live up to the hype.
Two of the last three meetings have ended in draws, meaning we swerve the 1X2. Instead, we gamble on both teams to score. BTTS would've made you a profit in all but one of the previous six meetings. It was also a winning bet when Brentford drew 2-2 at West Ham in the cup. Leeds have scored more goals than Everton, but conceded more than Nottingham Forest.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.67 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Both Leeds and Brentford must score at least one goal each.
Newcastle v Sunderland, Sunday, 11:00pm AEDT
Sunday night opens in style with the first Tyne-Wear derby of 2026. These rivals met in mid-December when the Black Cats battled to a famous 1-0 win. That was the first time these teams had met in the top flight since early 2016. It was also the first time Sunderland defeated Newcastle United in more than nine years. Will they gift fans a stunning double?
Newcastle are out for revenge. One man desperate to drive the Magpies to a win and three points is striker Nick Woltemade, who scored into his own net last time. An own goal in his derby debut won't be easy to forget, but Nick has scored 12 goals this season, including six at St James' Park. That run includes a stunning brace when Chelsea were in town.
Woltemade is a 24-year-old with the world at his feet. He wasted no time settling into life at Newcastle and has proven he can score important goals in the EPL and the UCL. The former Stuttgart attacker also netted in Germany's 6-0 win over Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier. Woltemade has a score to settle with Sunderland, and we take him anytime.
Tip: Nick Woltemade to score @ 2.40 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Followers need Nick Woltemade to score in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Aston Villa v West Ham, Monday, 1:15am AEDT
We wrap things up in Birmingham, where Aston Villa plot to make home advantage count when West Ham visit. The locals are in the midst of a demanding domestic and Europa League fixture pile-up. Unai Emery's side hosted French Ligue 1 club Lille on Thursday evening, before turning their attention to West Ham just three days later.
We're beginning to see the effects of a busy season when analysing Villa's recent form. They've managed just one win in six, drawing two, and losing the other three. Three defeats on the bounce threaten their place in the top four. They lost 3-1 at Old Trafford last Sunday, after a 4-1 loss when Chelsea were in town, and a shock 2-0 reverse to Wolves at Molineux.
While Villa have been struggling, West Ham supporters watched their club drop into the relegation zone due to an alarming lack of consistency. In their previous five, West Ham have three draws, a win, and a defeat. The H2H stats show a bet on both teams to score landed in each of the last seven, a run that spans three years. With both sides in desperate need of the points, I'm happy to stick with that trend and take both to score here.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 1.62 (bet365)
Bet explanation: Aston Villa and West Ham must get at least one goal each.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.