Premier League betting tips: Matchweek 31 preview

With matchweek 31 following hot on the heels of a midweek slate of action, the teams that deal best with the short turnaround could cause some unexpected results. 

The Manchester derby is the highest-profile fixture and we have a full Manchester United vs Manchester City betting preview to explore. Although the clash between rivals Crystal Palace and Brighton will be fiercely contested too. 

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Everton vs Arsenal betting tips

Only four teams in the Premier League are on longer unbeaten runs at home than Everton. The Toffees have won two and drawn three of their previous five matches at Goodison Park.

While Arsenal are in decent form on the road, their two wins in their previous five away league games came at sides who are below Everton in the table. 

This match is also included in our weekly acca, with Goodison traditionally tough for the Gunners to visit (though they did win 1-0 last season), the home side can get a positive result.

Scoreline prediction

Everton 1-1 Arsenal (5/1 with Spinzwin)

FIRST’s top tip:

Double chance: Everton or draw (Evens with Vegasland)

Crystal Palace vs Brighton betting tips

Simply writing ‘back 1-1’ might be enough here because that was the scoreline in the last five meetings of Crystal Palace and Brighton at Selhurst Park.

Whether it repeats or not, this match should take time to get going. Seven of the 10 goals across those previous five clashes were scored in the second half, with another two in the 45th minute.

With Brighton among the top teams for total goals after the interval this season, assume there’ll be late drama.

Scoreline prediction

Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton (11/2 with Coral)

FIRST’s top tip:

Highest scoring half: second (11/10 with Spreadex)

Ipswich vs Wolves betting tips

Ipswich collected a rare victory when they went to Wolves just before Christmas, with a stoppage time goal earning the visitors a 2-1 win. 

A similar away win feels likely on Saturday, as Wolves have won their previous two Premier League games on the road.

While Ipswich have lost their last five at home, they scored in the previous three. They will at worst make a game of it. 

Scoreline prediction

Ipswich Town 1-2 Wolves (8/1 with Bet442)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (5/4 with Luckster)

West Ham vs Bournemouth betting tips

This feels tricky to predict as neither side is in good form, so a prop bet from our Top of the Props betting tips, could be the play as well as an outright result 

It’s worth a closer look at their respective records though. West Ham have lost four of their last six at home, with wins coming versus Fulham despite having only four shots against them and then hapless Leicester. 

Most of Bournemouth’s woes have been at home too. They have three wins and two draws from their previous six on the road in all competitions. The Cherries should have the edge. 

Scoreline prediction

West Ham 0-2 Bournemouth (10/1 with Coral)

FIRST’s top tip:

Bournemouth to win (13/10 with Zetbet)

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest betting tips

Neither Aston Villa nor Nottingham Forest have received that many yellow cards this season. Their opponents get plenty, though, which puts both near the top of the Premier League for total cards.

Match referee Simon Hooper is among the top bookers in the division, averaging 4.7 per match this term. 

He showed seven yellow cards in his previous two fixtures and flashed seven and five in the two Forest matches he has taken. Expect this to be feisty. 

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest (13/2 with BetMGM)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 5.5 cards (23/20 with Ladbrokes)

Brentford vs Chelsea betting tips

Games at the Gtech Stadium haven’t been as goal-heavy lately as earlier in the season, but neither of these teams is high up the clean sheet standings.

Their games are often entertaining too. It ended 2-1 to Chelsea in December, while last year’s clash at Brentford saw a 2-2 draw. 

With over half of the Bees’ home games seeing at least four goals, this is a valid candidate for that outcome. 

Scoreline prediction

Brentford 2-2 Chelsea (17/2 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 3.5 goals (13/9 with Matchbook)

Fulham vs Liverpool betting tips

Games between Fulham and Liverpool are rarely dull. The last meeting ended 2-2 at Anfield despite the Reds being a goal and a man down within the first 17 minutes. 

It’s no different at Craven Cottage, which has seen both teams score in all five clashes in the last six years. With Liverpool’s away games averaging 3.6 goals, the joint-most in the Premier League, this should be fun. 

Scoreline prediction

Fulham 1-2 Liverpool (13/2 with Vegasland)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (11/10 with Spinzwin)

Tottenham vs Southampton betting tips

Tottenham recorded the joint-highest scoring first half in the 2024/25 Premier League when they last faced Southampton. Spurs were 5-0 up at the break, which inevitably led to a goalless second half.

While that was an extreme case, Tottenham remain among the top teams for goals in their first halves, while Southampton have conceded the most. 

If not quite a five goal first half, this match should be lively from the first whistle. 

Scoreline prediction

Tottenham 3-1 Southampton (8/1 with Zetbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 1.5 first half goals (Evens with Ladbrokes)

Manchester United vs Manchester City betting tips

It’s hard to know what you’ll get from Manchester United, though it’s frequently disappointing if you’re a supporter. 

One theme that recently emerged is for low-scoring games against teams outside the bottom six.

Their previous five such league matches all paid out on under 2.5 goals. 

There hasn’t been more than three in any of the last nine league derbies at Old Trafford either, so it’s easy to imagine fewer goals with Erling Haaland out of action for Manchester City. 

Scoreline prediction

Manchester United 0-2 Manchester City (9/1 with Luckster)

FIRST’s top tip:

Under 2.5 goals (23/20 with Bet442)

Leicester vs Newcastle betting tips

Leicester’s appalling goalless run at home will have to end eventually, though it may not be against Newcastle. 

The Foxes have drawn a blank in the previous four meetings. One side has failed to score in four of their last five clashes at the King Power Stadium too.

But for a 93rd-minute goal at Wembley, this selection would have paid out in Newcastle’s previous four games away from St James’ Park. Just say no. 

Scoreline prediction

Leicester 0-2 Newcastle (6/1 with BetMGM)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score: No (25/24 with Matchbook)

Odds correct at the time of writing.