Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 20 preview

We’re half way through 2024/25 and it doesn’t look like anyone can catch Liverpool. Fierce rivals Manchester United will be hoping to dent the Reds’ title ambitions at Anfield on Sunday. 

With Arsenal and Chelsea facing tricky-looking away games this weekend, Manchester City will fancy their chances of closing the gap on the top four when they host West Ham on Saturday. 

Check out the best UK bookmakers to claim free bets worth up to £850!

The fixtures are the reverse of match week three, so will the result reverse too?

Tottenham vs Newcastle Utd betting tips

The first weekend of 2025 should kick off with a cracker. The lowest scoring of the previous three meetings of Tottenham and Newcastle in north London saw three goals with the other two ending in 4-1 and 5-1 wins for Spurs. 

This season, Ange Postecoglou’s side feel as likely to lose by three, as win by that many. Goals have been a constant, though, with seven of their 10 home league games seeing at least four. 

Newcastle have been in similar form on the road. They followed a 4-2 loss at Brentford with a 4-0 victory at Ipswich. This should be fun. 

Scoreline prediction

Tottenham 2-2 Newcastle Utd (81/10 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 3.5 goals (17/20 with Matchbook)

Aston Villa vs Leicester City betting tips

The previous two meetings of these teams took place in Leicester and ended in 2-1 victories for Aston Villa. Yet the last clash in the West Midlands saw the Foxes win 4-2.

It would be a surprise if this match became the fourth in a row which ended with the away team claiming three points. Goals at both ends look likely as was the case in those recent meetings.

These teams are among the top six in the Premier League for matches in which both teams scored and there were over 2.5 goals. History suggests they will add to their tallies on Saturday.

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 3-1 Leicester City (11/1 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (6/5 with William Hill)

Bournemouth vs Everton betting tips

The reverse fixture was one of the best games of 2024/25. Everton led 2-0 in the 86th minute yet found time to lose 3-2. Bournemouth should win more easily this time around.

The Cherries have a very strong home record in this fixture, with six wins and a draw from the last seven meetings on the south coast.

They have also been much the better team this season. These clubs are separated by 13 points in the Premier League table, yet if matches were decided by expected goals then Bournemouth would be 31 ahead of Everton. That margin should prove decisive here. 

Scoreline prediction

Bournemouth 2-0 Everton (17/2 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bournemouth to win (13/16 with Matchbook)

Crystal Palace vs Chelsea betting tips

The reason why Chelsea won’t win the Premier League this season is because they are too open defensively. Fulham and Ipswich beat them recently to prove the point.

The Blues win more than they lose, though, and are among the top teams in the top flight for victories; in which both teams scored this season. It has been the pattern of their visits to Selhurst Park in recent times too.

Chelsea have won all five away games against Crystal Palace in the last five years, but have only kept one clean sheet in those matches. There’ll be more of the same here. 

Scoreline prediction

Crystal Palace 1-2 Chelsea (67/10 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Chelsea win and both teams to score (23/10 with Paddy Power)

Manchester City vs West Ham betting tips

Erling Haaland announced his arrival in England by scoring both goals in a 2-0 Manchester City win at West Ham. 

When City played at the London Stadium in August, before anyone realised their downfall was imminent, he scored a hat-trick. Haaland has only faced the Hammers once without scoring. 

Having ended a drought with a goal at Leicester last weekend, City’s talisman should score again. It’s only four home games since Haaland got a brace against Feyenoord, so it would not be a surprise if he hit at least two against one of his favourite opponents.

Scoreline prediction

Manchester City 3-0 West Ham (10/1 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Erling Haaland to score two goals (13/5 with Betfred)

Southampton vs Brentford betting tips

Southampton hosting Brentford sees the worst home team in the top flight against the second worst on the road. Is it possible for both teams to lose?

No, funnily enough. But that should work out well for the Bees. Almost every away game Brentford have played has been against a team in the top half of the league table. Only their trip to Everton is comparable to going to Southampton, and they got a point there despite having a man sent off in the first half.

The Saints lost 2-0 the last time this fixture was held. They may have to live with the same score line again. 

Scoreline prediction

Southampton 0-2 Brentford (14/1 with Boyle Sports)

FIRST’s top tip:

Brentford to win (6/4 with Coral)

Brighton vs Arsenal betting tips

Arsenal have recently been in free-scoring form on the road. They scored five in wins at Sporting, West Ham and Crystal Palace within their last five away games. 

The Gunners’ previous two visits to Brighton weren’t quite that goal-heavy, but they won 3-0 in April and 4-2 the season before. 

This is a match up which has favoured the away side in recent times, with the Seagulls collecting three wins and a draw at the Emirates in the last three years. As we’re at the Amex Stadium for this one, expect Arsenal to win a high scoring game. 

Scoreline prediction

Brighton 1-2 Arsenal (17/2 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Arsenal to win and over 2.5 goals (6/4 with Boyle Sports)

Fulham vs Ipswich Town betting tips

Backing Fulham to win to nil is a bit of a risk, not least as they have yet to do so at Craven Cottage this season. 

They will get few better chances to keep a clean sheet on their own patch though. Ipswich have generated the fewest expected goals in away games this season, so while a few other clubs have scored fewer goals, the Tractor Boys have been fortunate to bag 10. 

As they beat Chelsea on Monday, Ipswich will arrive full of confidence. Fulham have been one of the best teams in the top flight for expected goals, so they should still win. 

Scoreline prediction

Fulham 2-0 Ipswich Town (7/1 with William Hill)

FIRST’s top tip:

Fulham win with nil (83/50 with Mr.Play)

Liverpool vs Manchester Utd betting tips

Early in Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool reign, Manchester United won 1-0 at Anfield. They have visited nine times since that match nine years ago, scoring a total of one goal. 

United have dogged out four goalless draws in that time. The five defeats were all by at least two goals, though, with a 4-0 in 2022 and a 7-0 thumping the following year.

This may not be so severe, even if United are a mess right now. But disregard the 2-2 draw with Fulham in which Andy Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute, and Liverpool have won their last five home games by two or more goals.

Scoreline prediction

Liverpool 2-0 Manchester Utd (8/1 with bet365)

FIRST’s top tip:

Handicap: Liverpool -1 (3/4 with William Hill)

Wolves vs Nottingham Forest betting tips

Nottingham Forest will arrive at Molineux on the back of a five-match winning streak. Wolves might be unbeaten since appointing Vitor Pereira but they can’t compete with that kind of form. 

When it comes to away games, only a couple of teams in the Premier League can keep pace with Forest. Their only defeats on the road occurred at Arsenal and Manchester City, while they have also won at Liverpool and drawn at Chelsea. 

Their last five clashes with Wolves all ended in draws. Forest should have enough to get a win this time.

Scoreline prediction

Wolves 0-2 Nottingham Forest (12/1 with Vbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Nottingham Forest win (34/23 with Matchbook)