This Saturday, we focus on four exciting English Premier League matchups, providing plenty of insight along with our recommended betting selections for each match.
Let’s start with the race for the title. Liverpool are clear frontrunners, priced at a staggering 1/160, with a commanding 15-point lead. Arsenal follow at 35/1, while the rest of the competition lingers further back at 175/1 or higher
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MANCHESTER CITY v BRIGHTON – Click here to bet
Manchester City’s struggles continued last weekend as they suffered a third league defeat in five matches, falling 1-0 to Nottingham Forest at the City Ground. As a result, the defending champions now find themselves in 5th place with 47 points from 28 games. With the Premier League title seemingly out of reach—trailing the leaders by 23 points—the FA Cup remains their only realistic shot at silverware this season. Pep Guardiola’s men will be desperate to bounce back when they host Brighton at the Etihad, especially with Newcastle, Brighton, and Aston Villa all breathing down their necks in the race for European qualification.
Just one point behind City, Brighton arrive at the Etihad eager to pile more misery on the hosts. Fabian Hürzeler’s side is in red-hot form, riding a six-game winning streak across all competitions. Their 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend marked their fourth straight league win, boosting their confidence ahead of this crucial clash. The Seagulls currently sit 7th in the standings with 46 points from 28 matches. Their away form has been solid, going unbeaten in 10 of their 14 road fixtures (six wins, four draws, four losses), making them a dangerous opponent for City.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City have had the upper hand in recent meetings over Brighton, winning four of their last seven league encounters, however, earlier on this season it was the Seagulls that triumphed after securing a 2-1 victory in the reverse fixture at the Amex Stadium.
Betting
Manchester City 7/10
Draw 33/10
Brighton 7/2
Verdict
Manchester City need a response after their recent struggles, but Brighton’s red-hot form makes this a tricky contest for the Citizens. While City are favourites at home, the Seagulls certainly have the firepower to make it competitive.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 and Yes at 15/20
SOUTHAMPTON v WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS – Click here to bet
Rooted to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 28 matches, Southampton’s return to the Championship seems all but certain. The Saints have endured a dreadful campaign, and last weekend’s 3-1 loss to Liverpool extended their losing streak to five in all competitions—including four straight league defeats. Defensive frailties remain a major concern, with Southampton shipping 14 goals in their last four Premier League outings while scoring just twice. Worryingly, they have lost all four of those matches by a margin of two or more goals, suggesting another tough outing awaits.
Wolverhampton Wanderers, meanwhile, are teetering just above the drop zone in 17th place with 23 points. Last week’s 1-1 draw with Everton offered some respite after back-to-back defeats—2-1 at home to Fulham followed by an FA Cup exit at the hands of Bournemouth. However, defensive issues persist, with Wolves failing to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches across all competitions. Interestingly, both sides have scored in four of their last five matches, hinting at an open contest despite their defensive vulnerabilities.
Head-to-Head
Wolves have secured six consecutive victories over Southampton leading into Saturday’s encounter, including a 2-0 win in the reverse fixture earlier this season.
Betting
Southampton 26/10
Draw 5/2
Wolverhampton Wanderers 21/20
Verdict
Southampton’s struggles have persisted throughout their campaign, and with their defensive woes, another defeat seems likely. Wolves may not be in the best of form themselves, but given their solid record in this fixture, they should edge past the league’s bottom side.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Wolverhampton Wanderers at 21/20
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EVERTON v WEST HAM – Click here to bet
Everton extended their unbeaten league run to eight matches with last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Wolves. During this stretch, the Toffees have picked up 16 points from a possible 24 (four wins, four draws), a significant improvement from their struggles earlier in the season. Under David Moyes’ guidance, Everton have become a tough team to break down, climbing to 15th place with 33 points—now comfortably clear of the relegation battle. Matches at Goodison Park have been particularly entertaining of late, with each of their last four home games producing four or more goals, potentially setting the stage for another action-packed encounter this weekend.
West Ham will travel to Merseyside looking to rebound from Monday’s disappointing 1-0 home loss to Newcastle United. The Hammers sit level with Everton on 33 points but trail by goal difference, placing them in 16th. While Graham Potter has steadied the ship since his arrival, West Ham’s campaign has lacked consistency, with two wins and three defeats in their last five league outings. However, they did secure a 1-0 win at Arsenal in their most recent away fixture, and they will be hoping for a repeat performance at Goodison Park this Saturday.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, both teams secured a point apiece after playing out a 0-0 stalemate in London. Last campaign, however, this fixture had a very different outcome, with West Ham prevailing 3-1 in a thrilling four-goal encounter at Goodison Park.
Betting
Everton 23/20
Draw 23/10
West Ham 27/10
Verdict
Everton’s solid form and resilience at home should give them the edge over a rather inconsistent West Ham side. However, with goals flowing at Goodison Park, a high-scoring affair looks like the most likely outcome.
Suggested Bet: Totals – Over 2.5 at 13/10
IPSWICH v NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Click here to bet
Ipswich find themselves in a precarious position as the season nears its conclusion. Sitting 18th in the league standings with just 17 points, the Tractor Boys are running out of time if they are to maintain their Premier League status. Currently six points adrift of 17th-placed Wolves, Kieran McKenna’s side faces an uphill battle with only 10 games remaining. This weekend, they host one of the season’s surprise packages, Nottingham Forest, in what looks to be a daunting challenge at Portman Road. Ipswich will head into this clash on the back of a four-game losing streak in all competitions, including three consecutive league defeats. Their home record has been particularly concerning, with just two wins and a total of 10 points (W2, D4, L8) all season. Last weekend’s 1-0 loss away to Crystal Palace was a bitter pill to swallow, as they were arguably unlucky not to come away with at least a point. Despite their struggles, there have been signs of resilience, suggesting they won’t go down without a fight.
It’s remarkable to think that just a year ago, Nottingham Forest were battling relegation. Fast forward to the 2024/25 season, and they are competing for a very different prize—European football. Currently 3rd in the league with 51 points from 28 matches, Nuno Espírito Santo’s men continue to defy expectations as they push for a historic finish. Last weekend, Forest secured a statement victory, edging defending champions Manchester City 1-0 at the City Ground. However, while their home form has been impressive, there are growing concerns over their performances on the road. They have suffered back-to-back away defeats in the league—falling 2-1 to Fulham before a thrilling but disappointing 4-3 loss to Newcastle.
Head-to-Head
Earlier this season, Nottingham Forest secured a 1-0 victory in the reverse fixture at the City Ground. They also edged past Ipswich in the FA Cup Round of 16, winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Betting
Ipswich 27/10
Draw 26/10
Nottingham Forest 21/20
Verdict
Nottingham Forest’s European push faces a potential stumbling block against a desperate Ipswich side. While the hosts have struggled, they’ve shown resilience, and Forest’s recent away woes could make this a closer contest than expected.
Suggested Bet: Both Teams to Score – Yes at 15/20
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
