23 May 2025 Football

Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 38 preview

Written by: Andrew Beasley Football Tipster
7 min to read
IMAGO Morgan Gibbs-White and Nottingham Forest are on the verge of qualifying for European football next season
IMAGO Morgan Gibbs-White and Nottingham Forest are on the verge of qualifying for European football next season

The battle for Champions League qualification comes down to the final day. Arsenal sealed their spot last weekend, leaving five clubs to battle it out for the remaining three berths.

With two of them meeting at the City Ground, Nottingham Forest versus Chelsea is clearly the game of the day. 

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Bournemouth vs Leicester betting tips

With neither side having anything at stake, this should be a relaxed, fun afternoon for all concerned.

Having averaged just 0.8 goals per game across their first 34 league matches this season, Leicester have scored twice in each of their last three. 

Playing their fellow relegated sides in that run has helped, but Bournemouth won the last three league meetings at the Vitality Stadium without keeping a clean sheet.

Scoreline prediction

Bournemouth 3-1 Leicester (8/1 with Zetbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bournemouth win and both teams to score (81/50 with MrPlay)

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Fulham vs Manchester City betting tips

A point at Craven Cottage will almost certainly be enough to secure Champions League football for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola won’t take any chances though.

Fortunately for the Cityzens, they are facing a club whom they beat in their previous 17 meetings. It’s hard to see a Fulham team with nothing on the line ending their painful run in this fixture. 

Expect several goals too, as there usually are when these sides face off. 

Scoreline prediction

Fulham 1-2 Manchester City (13/2 with Bet442)

FIRST’s top tip:

Manchester City win and over 2.5 goals (21/20 with Luckster)

Ipswich vs West Ham betting tips

Can Ipswich summon a last hurrah before returning to the Championship?

It feels unlikely as they have lost their previous eight league matches at Portman Road. West Ham, while not in great form, have shown signs of life on the road.

As they’ve won at Manchester United and Arsenal within their last six, they should have too much for the Tractor Boys.

Scoreline prediction

Ipswich 1-2 West Ham (7/1 with Monster)

FIRST’s top tip:

West Ham win (13/11 with Spinzwin)

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Liverpool vs Crystal Palace betting tips

Everyone will be in party mood at Anfield for what is now a dress rehearsal for the Community Shield.

Crystal Palace have not checked out since winning the FA Cup, as they beat Wolves 4-2 in midweek. They are unbeaten in two visits to Liverpool too.

But the champions should take this one. They’ve conceded eight goals in three games since clinching the title, so Palace should get on the scoresheet. 

Scoreline prediction

Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace (8/1 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Liverpool win and both teams to score (6/5 with Vegasland)

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Manchester United vs Aston Villa betting tips

The atmosphere at Old Trafford could get ugly. Whatever happens here, it has been a horrendous campaign for the Europa League runners-up.

The form book suggests this could take a while to get going. There have been just 39 first half goals in Manchester United’s league games this season, the fewest in the division. With 43, Villa aren’t far in front.

Only one of their last five meetings saw more goals in the first half rather than the second. You can tune in late for this one, if you bother at all.

Scoreline prediction

Manchester United 1-2 Aston Villa (7/1 with Coral)

FIRST’s top tip:

Highest scoring half: Second (21/20 with Spreadex)

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Newcastle vs Everton betting tips

Newcastle’s goal difference advantage over the chasing pack means any victory will seal their top five spot.

While they haven’t won any of their previous three meetings with Everton, the Magpies have won seven of their eight home matches against the current bottom nine clubs.

With six of those wins seeing three goals or more, this should be entertaining.

Scoreline prediction

Newcastle 3-0 Everton (13/2 with Zetbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Newcastle win and over 2.5 goals (5/6 with Ladbrokes)

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Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting tips

This match is fascinating, as there’s a good chance a draw would ensure neither team finishes in the top five. They drew earlier in the season at Stamford Bridge too. 

Chelsea’s away form in the league is horrendous. Their only win on the road since Christmas needed a 93rd minute goal.

More pertinently, they have lost all five trips to face other sides in the top seven. Nottingham Forest should edge this one.

Scoreline prediction

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Chelsea (16/1 with Spreadex)

FIRST’s top tip:

Draw no bet: Nottingham Forest (23/20 with Luckster)

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Southampton vs Arsenal betting tips

Neither of these clubs got what they wanted this season and must end the campaign playing a match which means nothing to either of them. 

When Southampton went down two years ago they finished with a 4-4 draw with Liverpool. This should be rather more one-sided.

Bukayo Saka looks capable of ending an injury-hit season by scoring. Goalless in his last seven league games, the Arsenal winger has missed 2.8 expected goals-worth of chances in those matches.

Scoreline prediction

Southampton 0-4 Arsenal (19/2 with BetMGM)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bukayo Saka to score anytime (23/20 with Coral)

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Tottenham vs Brighton betting tips

Glory, glory, Tottenham Hotspur. From the depths of 17th in the Premier League to European trophy winners and 2025/26 Champions League qualification. What a crazy season.

Games between these teams are rarely dull, with the reverse fixture seeing Brighton coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.

Four of the Seagulls’ previous six games saw at least four goals. It’s a trend which should continue here.

Scoreline prediction

Tottenham 2-2 Brighton (9/1 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 3.5 goals (4/5 with Ladbrokes)

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Wolves vs Brentford betting tips

Brentford’s hopes of playing UEFA Conference League football next season are very slim. If they don’t win this game, they’re non-existent. 

They have won their previous two meetings with Wolves, rattling in five goals against them in October. Vitor Pereira’s side have also lost their last three games and look like they’re ready for their summer holidays.

Aren’t we all? Brentford would be favourites anyway, but their need for points should see them home.

Scoreline prediction

Wolves 1-2 Brentford (15/2 with Vegasland)

FIRST’s top tip:

Brentford win (24/17 with Spinzwin)

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The Premier League might not have the final day title race fight - but in Serie A it's going down to the wire and you can find our best bets in our Weekly Acca predictions this weekend.

Odds correct at the time of writing.

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