With Arsenal running away with the title, all attention turns to the race for the top five and the relegation battle. It’s a massive weekend of English Premier League action with crucial fixtures everywhere and the BeforeYouBet team has you covered with our best bets of the weekend!
EPL 2025-26: Matchday 31 Preview & Betting Tips
Brighton vs Liverpool
American Express Stadium, Saturday 21st March, 11:30pm AEDT
Liverpool will be looking to continue their charge towards the top four when they travel south to face Brighton. Despite the Reds only picking up one point from their last two games, with Aston Villa losing three consecutive games, Arne Slot’s side are within one point of fourth place. It’s been a tough season for Brighton who are in 12th position, however they’ve hit a nice patch of form, winning three of their last four games leading into Matchday 31.
Brighton have been hampered by their inability to be a potent attacking side, ranking twelfth in the Premier League for goals scored this season. Although the Reds haven’t been at their best this season, they have quality players in their midfield and back four who are going to make proceedings incredibly difficult. If Liverpool can deny Brighton fluent ball movement in the middle of the pitch, it’s going to be an almighty challenge for the Seagulls to win this game.
Brighton have struggled badly when it comes to matching up against the best teams in the Premier League. The Seagulls have won just one of their nine games against the current top five teams in the league, and it’s difficult to see that form turning around this weekend. Liverpool have a good record against Brighton, winning three of their last four Premier League fixtures against the Seagulls, and they will continue that record with a comfortable win.
Liverpool to Win
$2.20 (1 Unit)
Newcastle vs Sunderland
St James’ Park, Sunday 22nd March 11:00pm AEDT
The second Tyne-Wear Derby of the season takes place on Sunday night as Newcastle and Sunderland go head to head at St James’ Park. Newcastle have picked up impressive wins against Chelsea and Manchester United over the last fortnight, and will be full of confidence coming into this fixture against their arch rivals. For the Black Cats, it’s been a tough six weeks with four losses, one draw and only one win from their last six games.
Newcastle’s defence has gotten back to its best over the last two weeks, which has resulted in wins against top six teams. Last week Chelsea had 21 shots on goal and 67% possession, while the week prior Man United had 14 shots and 52% possession. Across those two games Newcastle conceded just one goal, playing some of the most spirited football they’ve shown all season.
Sunderland have been the third best defence in the Premier League this season, conceding just 35 goals, a remarkable effort after being promoted last season. Despite their struggling form of late, you can expect the Black Cats to lift for this match against their rivals. Given the nature of the rivalry, and the way the last game these sides played against each other, a low scoring encounter will be on the cards. Four of Sunderland’s last five games have hit under 2.5 Total Goals, and this clash will continue that trend.
Under 2.5 Total Goals
$1.91 (1.5 Units)
Aston Villa vs West Ham
Villa Park, Monday 23rd March, 1:30am AEDT
Villa Park plays host to a crucial fixture in the relegation battle, as West Ham travel to Birmingham looking to get out of the relegation zone. Three points separate 18th placed West Ham from fifteenth placed Leeds, as Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are all in a battle for survival. West Ham have picked up four crucial points across their last two games, but still sit in the relegation zone. Aston Villa have sat comfortably in the top four for almost the entirety of the season, however three straight losses has them precariously hanging onto their spot in the top four.
Unsurprisingly, West Ham have struggled in all facets of the game, conceding the second most goals in the league (55), ranking 19th for possession (42.3%) and ranking 14th for goals scored (36). Their defence has been left significantly vulnerable by their inability to control possession in most of their games this season, that lack of possession has also hampered their ability to generate enough attacking opportunities to make them dangerous.
Although they haven’t been at their best over the last few weeks, Villa have been tough to beat at home this season. Unai Emery’s side have a 9-2-4 record at home, the fourth best home record in the Premier League this season. Comparatively, West Ham have been one of the worst teams on the road this season, with just four wins from fifteen away matches in season 2025-6. Aston Villa will bounce back and dominate against a struggling West Ham defence.
Aston Villa to Win
$1.95 (2 Units)
