As the curtain falls on another thrilling Premier League season, numerous permutations remain in play—from European qualification to personal pride. Here are my thoughts on each of Sunday’s encounters, along with a suggested bet for every match.
Before diving into the fixtures, it’s worth noting there’s still strong betting intrigue on the outright front — from the race for a top-four finish to teams battling for a place in the top half of the table. For more markets, check out the link below.
Click here for English Premier League Outright Betting
MANCHESTER UNITED v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
This season has been nothing short of a nightmare for Manchester United. Their heavy reliance on success in Europe to define their campaign ultimately backfired, with a bitter 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final bringing a turbulent season to a close. The loss leaves Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff with much to reflect on. The Red Devils head into Sunday’s fixture on the back of three consecutive league defeats, compounded by the painful midweek setback in Bilbao. Sitting 16th in the table and having failed to secure Champions League qualification, it’s hard to see how Amorim can motivate his players for one final push before the curtain falls on the campaign.
Aston Villa, currently 6th in the league, have won three straight league games without conceding. European football is guaranteed, but their final destination depends on results elsewhere. For Champions League qualification, they need a win and hope either Manchester City lose to Fulham or Newcastle fail to beat Everton. Anything less, and it’s the Europa or Conference League. But whatever happens, Unai Emery’s side have had a brilliant season.
Manchester United have failed to score in each of their last three home league games and looked completely flat after their midweek European exit. They’re low on confidence and have nothing left to play for in the league. In contrast, Aston Villa are full of belief and chasing a top-four finish. Unai Emery’s side have kept three clean sheets in a row and have the quality and motivation to take advantage of a struggling United team at Old Trafford.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result: Aston Villa at 15/20
LIVERPOOL v CRYSTAL PALACE – Click here to bet
Liverpool were confirmed as league champions in Round 34 after a dominant 5-1 win over Spurs. Since then, the intensity has understandably dropped. They’ve failed to win their last three league games, with both teams scoring and four goals arriving in each of those matches. Expect more of the same here in what should be a party atmosphere at Anfield.
Crystal Palace arrive in excellent form, unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions and fresh from lifting the FA Cup after beating Manchester City at Wembley. Sitting 12th, they could equal last season’s 10th-place finish with a win and favourable results elsewhere. But with nothing left to prove and celebrations likely ongoing, this feels more like an exhibition match than a battle.
Liverpool’s recent games have all featured open play and plenty of goals, with four of their last five league matches going over 3.5 goals. Already crowned champions, Arne Slot’s side will approach this with plenty to celebrate, perhaps throwing caution to the wind one last time. Palace are flying high after winning the FA Cup and are unbeaten in seven. With both sides playing with freedom and flair, another high-scoring encounter looks likely.
Suggested Bet: Totals – Over 3.5 at 8/10
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
What a season it’s been for Nottingham Forest. From finishing 17th last season to sitting 7th now, they’ve defied expectations. European football is confirmed, but they could still sneak into the Champions League. A win here, combined with dropped points for either Newcastle or Aston Villa, would see them achieve the unthinkable. They’ve thrived as underdogs all season—and they’ll know the pressure is on Chelsea.
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have shown signs of progress this season and currently sit 5th in the league standings. After playing in the Conference League this term, they’re now on the verge of a return to Europe’s elite in the Champions League. Four wins from their last five in the EPL have put them in a strong position—goal difference has them ahead of Villa, so a win here should seal it. But they’ll be wary of Forest, who’ve been a revelation under Nuno Espírito Santo and already held the Blues to a draw earlier this season.
Both sides have everything to play for—Forest chasing a shock Champions League spot, Chelsea looking to seal their return to Europe’s top tier. Forest have been a surprise package this season and already held Chelsea to a draw earlier in the campaign. With tension high and both teams in solid form, a cagey but competitive draw feels like a fitting outcome.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Draw at 27/10
FULHAM v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Fulham come into this one on the back of a 3-2 win away to Brentford and sit 10th overall. Victory here could lift them to 9th, which would mark significant progress after last season’s 13th-place finish. They’ve recorded three back-to-back league wins already this season and will need their best performance yet to make it four this Sunday. City haven’t lost to them since 2009, but Fulham will certainly relish the challenge.
Manchester City have already relinquished the title and were beaten by Palace in the FA Cup final last weekend, making it a rare trophyless campaign for Pep Guardiola. But they secured a crucial 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday evening to stay 3rd, unbeaten in nine league matches. A win guarantees Champions League football next season. Even a draw would likely be enough, given their +17 goal difference over Villa. It’s hard to see them slipping up here.
City haven’t lost to Fulham in 15 years and have far more to gain with a positive result this weekend. Despite missing out on silverware this season, they still need points to lock in Champions League qualification. Fulham, who’ve improved this season, should play with their usual freedom, which could leave them exposed. City’s class and attacking depth should prove too much—I fancy an away win with goals likely to feature.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals – Manchester City and Over 1.5 at 8/10
BOURNEMOUTH v LEICESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Bournemouth have improved on last season’s performance, both in terms of points and position. They sit 11th with 53 points—five better than last season—and could jump to 9th with a win on Sunday. A 3-1 loss to City in midweek marked back-to-back defeats, but they’ll back themselves to finish strong in front of their home fans.
Leicester are heading back to the Championship after just one season in the top flight. Last week’s 2-0 win over Ipswich was only their sixth league victory of the season. That day howver belonged to Jamie Vardy, who marked his 500th appearance and 200th goal before bowing out. He won’t feature here, having chosen to go out on his own terms in front of the home crowd last weekend. That felt like their send-off—Sunday feels more like Bournemouth’s turn to celebrate.
Leicester’s relegation was confirmed earlier this month, and with Jamie Vardy’s farewell already staged, they’ve little left to give. Bournemouth have had a solid season and will want to reward their fans with a final home win. With motivation firmly in the Cherries’ corner, a home victory looks the logical outcome.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals – Bournemouth and Over 1.5 at 5/10
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IPSWICH v WEST HAM – Click here to bet
Ipswich are winless in seven conseuctive league matches and have lost eight straight at home. Relegation was confirmed weeks ago, and they look like a side ready to reset for the Championship. They’ve failed to score in their last two home matches, though six of their last seven at Portman Road have seen at least three goals. For the neutral, here’s hoping they go out with some entertainment.
West Ham travel to Suffolk off the back of a 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest—a 17th league loss in what’s been a disappointing campaign for the Irons. After finishing 9th last season, they currently sit 15th, 12 points worse off. Graham Potter will want to address that this summer, but for now, he’ll be keen to end things on a more positive note.
Ipswich are already down and look mentally checked out, especially at Portman Road where they’ve lost eight straight. West Ham haven’t had a great season, but they’ll be keen to end on a positive note. Against an already-relegated and goal-shy Ipswich, the Hammers should have enough to edge it.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – West Ham at 12/10
NEWCASTLE UNITED v EVERTON – Click here to bet
Newcastle have already bettered last season’s points tally and sit 4th with 66 points. With five teams fighting for Champions League spots, the equation is simple: beat Everton and secure a top-five finish. Their 1-0 defeat at Arsenal last weekend wasn’t ideal, but they’ve lost just twice in ten league games and should have enough to get the job done at St James’ Park this Sunday.
Everton make the trip to the North East with little left to play for. It’s been a strange season, but they’ve done enough to avoid the drop. Currently 13th in the table, they’re two positions better off than they were at this stage last season. They come into this one unbeaten in their last three, with two wins and a draw, but their away form has been inconsistent. Given Newcastle’s strong record at St. James’ Park, this looks like a tough assignment.
Newcastle are playing for a top-five finish that would secure them Champions League next season and have been excellent at home. Everton are safe so there will be on need for any urgency form them this weekend. Newcastle’s strong defence and motivation should give them the edge—and Everton may not have the bite to breach them all thing considered.
Suggested Bet: Newcastle To Win to Nil – Yes at 13/10
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS v BRENTFORD – Click here to bet
In terms of league position, Wolverhampton Wanderers are currently right where they ended last season—14th. But that doesn’t tell the full story. The Premier League has been far more competitive this season, and Vitor Pereira deserves credit for what he’s achieved since taking charge. Although they’ve lost three in a row heading into Sunday’s finale, it feels more like a team winding down after a demanding campaign than one in crisis. With nothing left to play for and no chance of climbing the table, we may see a more open and relaxed Wolves performance—one that could offer value in the goals market.
Brentford, on the other hand, have taken significant steps forward this season. After narrowly avoiding the drop last term with a 16th-place finish and just 39 points, the Bees now sit 9th with 55 points. A win here could see them finish as high as 8th, leapfrogging Brighton. Last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Fulham ended a four-game winning streak, but their recent fixtures have been full of entertainment—21 goals scored across their last five matches.
Wolves have nothing left to play for and may approach this with a relaxed mindset, potentially opening the game up. Brentford, chasing a top-eight finish, have been involved in high-scoring affairs lately, with their last five matches averaging over four goals per game. With both teams playing with freedom, this certainly points to a final-day goal fest between these two sides.
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 and Yes at 8/11
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v BRIGHTON – Click here to bet
Despite lifting the Europa League trophy on Wednesday night, it has been a disappointing domestic season for Tottenham Hotspur. Their narrow victory over Manchester United not only secured a return to the Champions League but also ended a 17-year wait for silverware. Yet that success masks a frustrating league campaign, with Spurs suffering 21 defeats in the Premier League—a record that sees them languishing in 17th place. With the added challenge of balancing European and domestic commitments next season, reinforcements will be required. For now, though, Spurs will savour their midweek triumph. But after such an intense final, Ange Postecoglou may take a more relaxed approach to Sunday’s clash, and with Tottenham having conceded two or more goals in each of their last six league matches, another open affair seems likely.
Brighton, on the other hand, might feel slightly hard done by—despite a strong run, they’re locked into 8th place, ruling out European football next season. Still, the Seagulls have made clear progress from last term’s 11th-place finish and will want to carry that momentum into the summer. Last weekend’s thrilling 3-2 win over Liverpool extended their unbeaten streak to four (three wins and a draw), underlining their determination to end the campaign on a high.
Spurs are likely to rest players after their midweek European glory, and given their defensive record on the domestic front looking fragile of late, Brighton will certainly fancy their chances despite the nothing to play for. With goals a common theme in both camps, expect an end-to-end encounter.
Suggested bet: Double Chance and Total – Draw/Brighton and Over 2.5 at 8/11
SOUTHAMPTON v ARSENAL – Click here to bet
Southampton’s return to the Premier League has been anything but a fairytale, with the Saints offering precious little in attack across a dismal campaign. With just two wins all season, the Saints appear ready to return to the Championship, having collected just three points from their last ten league outings. Given their continued struggles, it’s difficult to see the hosts causing many problems for Arsenal, regardless of how much the visitors may have mentally switched off.
For Arsenal, a third consecutive second-place finish looks all but confirmed, with just a point needed to mathematically seal the runners-up spot. While motivation may be lacking at this stage of the campaign, Mikel Arteta’s side remain unbeaten in 13 away league fixtures, and they should still have enough to edge past a Southampton side that has looked out of its depth all season. Four of Arsenal’s last five away games have ended in draws, suggesting a low-key performance may be on the cards once again.
Southampton have long looked out of their depth and offer little threat going forward. Arsenal will secure second place with at least a point and may opt to play within themselves. Four of their last five away games have ended in draws, which could suggest a lower-intensity approach yet again. Still, the Gunners should have enough to get the job done—albeit in modest fashion.
Suggested bet: Arsenal Clean Sheet – Yes at 11/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
