The most important match of the EPL season takes place on Monday morning, as Manchester City have the opportunity to move within three points of Arsenal with a game in hand. It’s a massive weekend of football, and the Before You Bet team has you covered with our best bets.
EPL 2025-26: Matchday 33 Preview & Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Stamford Bridge, Sunday 19th April, 5:00am AEST
It’s a battle of third versus sixth as Manchester United travel to London to take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Three straight losses are seeing Chelsea’s Champions League hopes slowly slipping away, sitting in sixth place and are now four points behind fifth placed Liverpool. After a shock loss to Leeds last week, Manchester United’s position in the top four isn’t so secure, sitting just three points clear of fifth place, and a loss to Chelsea would be a big swing in the makeup of the top six.
Chelsea have been in freefall since early February, with four losses, two draws and just one win across their last seven Premier League games. Their defence has been horrendous across their last two games, conceding six goals across those two games. The Red Devils have been the third most prolific attack in the league, scoring 57 goals and have only been held goalless in 2 of their 32 games this season. United haven’t been a consistent side defensively, so they’re going to have to be aggressive in attack if they are to win this game.
Chelsea have struggled to turn their possession into clear cut goal scoring opportunities, which could play into Manchester United’s hands by protecting the Red Devils defence. Chelsea’s dour style will provide United with opportunities to take more risk in attack, which is when they’ve been at their best this season. Chelsea have struggled at home this season, with a 6-5-5 record at home, ranked 12th in the Premier League. United will repeat the dose they served out earlier in the season, and will knock them off for the second time this season.
Manchester United to Win
$2.85 (1 Unit)
Aston Villa vs Sunderland
Villa Park, Sunday 19th April, 11:00pm AEST
Aston Villa and Sunderland meet in a crucial top ten clash that will have big ramifications on the places for European football. Sunderland have won three of their last four games to be within one point of the Conference league position and two points off a Europa League position. The Premier League securing a fifth Champions League representative has been a huge relief for Aston Villa, who are clinging onto their place in the top four, but are seven points ahead of sixth place.
Aston Villa tends to control matches through disciplined midfield structure, forcing turnovers before advancing the ball quickly into attacking areas. Their ability to create chances without overcommitting numbers forward has allowed them to manage matches effectively, especially against sides below them on the table. Sunderland, meanwhile, have been one of the more unpredictable teams this season. While they have shown resilience and the ability to pick up points against stronger opposition, they've also dropped games against teams they should have beaten.
Given the formlines of both clubs, contrasted with the talent of each side this should be a close affair. Aston Villa have the better side on paper, but Sunderland are in much better form. Given Villa’s position on the table, their biggest priority over the final weeks of the season will be holding on to a top five place, so they won’t be playing a high risk brand of football. Sunderland’s last five games have been decided by one goal or less, so we’ll be taking Sunderland with the buffer of +1.
Sunderland +1
$2.15 (1 Unit)
Manchester City vs Arsenal
Etihad Stadium, Monday 20th April, 1:30am AEST
The most defining game in the title race takes place on Monday morning when Manchester City host Arsenal at the Etihad. The league leaders' surprising defeat to Bournemouth now means they are only six points ahead of City, and a loss to Pep Guardiola’s side would see that gap reduce to three points, with City having a game in hand. Ultimately, if City win they will have the opportunity to be level with the league leaders, taking the title race right to the final day.
Is it happening again? For the last three years Arsenal have finished second and in two of those three seasons they held strong positions at the top of the table, but threw it away late in the season. A 2-1 defeat to eleventh placed Bournemouth last week, paired with a run of three losses in four games across all competitions has shown signs that the Gunners may be cracking at the final hurdle.
The big test for Arsenal will be if they can play an enterprising brand from an attacking standpoint, that challenges Manchester City. Arsenal have played a dour style this season which hasn’t been pretty, but has been effective, however if City score early in this clash, it will heap a mountain of pressure on the league leaders. Manchester City have a mountain of experience winning these high pressure games late in the season, and they will capitalise on their chance to close the gap in the title race.
Manchester City to Win
$1.85 (1.5 Units)
