Premier League Matchday 31: Ten things to watch this weekend | OneFootball

Matchday 31 of the 2024/25 Premier League season features some enticing battles, including the Manchester derby at Old Trafford on Sunday.

Liverpool will look to move one step closer to the title when they visit Fulham, while Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers face off in a big game in the fight to avoid relegation.

Here are our predictions for Matchday 31:

Manchester United vs Manchester City

Manchester City comfortably dispatched Leicester City 2-0 in midweek but have struggled for consistency this season.

Manchester United slipped to their 13th Premier League defeat of the season at Nottingham Forest on Tuesday despite playing reasonably well.

However, the Red Devils have looked a much better side against the bigger teams, where they sit back and hit on the counter-attack.

Manchester United 1-1 Manchester City

Everton vs Arsenal

The weekend kicks off with Everton hosting second-placed Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday.

The Toffees lost 1-0 at Liverpool in midweek, while the Gunners triumphed 2-1 at home to Fulham. Those results left Arsenal 12 points behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

Manager Mikel Arteta will have one eye on the game against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday, but his team should have enough to just about come out on top.

Everton 0-1 Arsenal

Crystal Palace vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Palace head into this game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions.

However, Oliver Glasner’s side needed an injury-time equaliser from Matheus Franca in midweek to salvage a 1-1 draw away at Southampton.

Brighton suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Aston Villa and could be set for more disappointment at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Ipswich Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

Ipswich recorded only their fourth league win of the season in midweek – an impressive 2-1 victory away at Bournemouth.

Kieran McKenna’s side are still nine points adrift of Wolves, and a win on Saturday is absolutely imperative.

The visitors have won three of their last five league games, including a 1-0 triumph over West Ham United in midweek. Ipswich are narrowly fancied in this one.

Ipswich Town 2-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

West Ham United vs Bournemouth

West Ham are winless in the league since February and have only scored one goal in their last three games.

Bournemouth have slumped to 10th in the table after four losses in their last five league games.

The Cherries were surprisingly beaten 2-1 at home by Ipswich in midweek but could bounce back at the London Stadium.

West Ham United 1-2 Bournemouth

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest

In-form Aston Villa host third-placed Nottingham Forest in the late game on Saturday in one of the fixtures of the weekend.

Unai Emery’s side have won six consecutive matches in all competitions and are firmly in contention to qualify for the Champions League.

Forest scored two late goals to triumph 2-1 in the reverse fixture and will fancy their chances of taking something from Villa Park.

Aston Villa 2-2 Nottingham Forest

Brentford vs Chelsea

Brentford welcome Chelsea to the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The Bees have an impressive recent record against the Blues, winning three and losing one of the last six league meetings.

Chelsea maintained their top-four place with a 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday and should follow up at Brentford.

Brentford 1-3 Chelsea

Fulham vs Liverpool

Liverpool need 13 points from their remaining eight games to be mathematically sure of being crowned champions.

Although Fulham’s recent form has been unspectacular, they have picked up points consistently enough to maintain a top-half place in the table.

Liverpool were made to work for their 1-0 win over Everton in midweek, and manager Arne Slot will be taking nothing for granted until the title is secured.

Fulham 0-2 Liverpool

Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton

Tottenham suffered their 16th league defeat of the season at Chelsea on Thursday and will hope for some respite against Southampton this weekend.

Southampton were on the verge of winning their third game of the season against Palace on Wednesday, but an injury-time equaliser scuppered their hopes of victory.

The Saints have only 10 points in 30 games and will need an unprecedented miracle to survive in the Premier League.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Southampton

Leicester City vs Newcastle United

Newcastle United travel to the King Power Stadium to take on Leicester City on Monday night.

Leicester’s 2-0 defeat at Manchester City in midweek was their seventh loss in a row. They are 12 points off safety and destined for relegation.

Newcastle is in fifth place with a game in hand over the teams around them, and they know that their fate is in their own hands.

Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United

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