Matchday 34 in the EPL saw the title secured by Liverpool and Ipswich confirmed as the third side that will be relegated. The attention now turns to the race for Champions and Europa League places, with just five points separating third place from seventh place on the table. We bring you our best bets for the weekend here!
EPL 2024-25: Matchday 35 Preview & Betting Tips
Aston Villa vs Fulham
Villa Park, Saturday 3rd May, 9:30pm AEDT
It’s a battle of seven versus eighth in Birmingham as Aston Villa host Fulham at Villa Park. At the time of writing Aston Villa are in seventh, three points behind fifth placed Chelsea and are still in the hunt for a Champions League spot. Unai Emery’s side had their five game winning streak snapped in a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Manchester City, who scored the winner in stoppage time. Villa’s defence held on well considering City won the shot count 14-7 and had 62% possession, but ultimately they dropped points that could prove costly.
Aston Villa’s attacking game has been red hot over the last two months, and it looms as a massive factor in this clash. Over their last six games Villa have scored 14 goals, while Fulham ranks 13th in the league for goals, and that difference in attacking capacity was on display when these sides last met, with Villa winning 3-1. Alongside their work in the front third, Fulham also rank in the bottom half of the Premier League for goals conceded (46) and have only recorded one clean sheet in their last twelve games.
Aston Villa have dominated this matchup across the last five years, winning six of the last seven Premier League fixtures between the two sides. Most fixtures haven’t been close, with the aggregate score in those six Villa wins being 15-5. If Villa can gain control in the possession battle and make this a free-flowing affair, Fulham are going to struggle to handle an inform Aston Villa side.
Aston Villa to Win
$1.73 (1.5 Units)
Brighton vs Newcastle
American Express Stadium, Sunday 4th May, 11:00pm AEDT
Third placed Newcastle will be looking to consolidate their place in the top four, when they travel south to Brighton on Sunday evening. Eddie Howe’s side are the form team of the competition having won six of their last seven matches, after their 3-0 win over Ipswich Town on Matchday 34. Brighton are limping towards the end of the season, with a 1-2-3 record in their last six games. Their only win came in their last game against West Ham, with goals in the 89th and 92nd minutes rescuing a victory for the Seagulls.
Brighton’s defence has been horrible over the last six weeks, conceding 15 goals in their last six games, despite only playing one team in the top six during that timespan. Brighton have conceded 55 goals this season, the seventh most in the league, with the six teams that have conceded more goals all residing from 13th or lower on the table. At the other end, Newcastle have been the third most prolific attacking team having scored 65 goals. Their last six wins have come by an aggregate score of 18-2, nothing short of complete and utter domination.
Brighton have essentially nothing to play for given they are nine points behind sixth placed Nottingham Forest with only four games remaining in the season. Compare that to Newcastle who are only two points clear of fifth place and five points clear of seventh place. Eddie Howe’s side have to keep winning to keep a hold of their place in the top five, so expect Newcastle to once again play an aggressive brand of attacking football, that will give Brighton plenty of troubles.
Newcastle to Win
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Stamford Bridge, Monday 5th May, 1:30am AEDT
Back to back victories has breathed life back into Chelsea’s Champions League hopes, but they face an almighty challenge on Monday morning against the newly crowned champions. At the time of writing Chelsea in fifth place, however Nottingham Forest have a game in hand which they will play on Friday morning. If Forest pick up a point in that clash they will jump Chelsea before Matchday 35. Liverpool romped to a 5-1 victory over Tottenham to win the title last week.
Mo Salah added another goal to extend his season tally to 28 (most in the league) alongside having the most assists in the league with 18. Salah was man of the match when he faced his former side earlier in the season, scoring and providing an assist in the 2-1 victory over Chelsea. Salah has tormented Chelsea since joining Liverpool, recording 5 goals and 4 assists in 14 Premier League games against Chelsea. Salah has been the key point in Liverpool being the highest scoring team in the Premier League this season.
Liverpool have won the last two league matchups between the two sides, while Chelsea haven’t beaten Liverpool in a Premier League match since 2021. Arne Slot’s side have been utterly dominant, having a 25-7-2 record this season, and only having lost once in their last 30 games. Even if they rotate some of their players now that the title is secured, they’ve got enough depth that they should still beat Chelsea. $3 is remarkable value for the champions.
Liverpool to Win
$3.00 (2 Units)
