Match Day 31 Premier League Betting Tips 2021/22

Manchester United v Leicester City

Form Guide DWDWD

Form Guide DLWLW

• Venue: Old Trafford
• Sat 2 Apr 17:30
• Referee: Andre Marriner
• Quick Glance Odds H: 1/2 D:7/2 A: 5/1

About the Game:

The most successful league team in England football are in turmoil. Despite winning the Europa League and the League cup in 2016-17 and the FA Cup in 2015-16, they haven’t found much joy in the league. This year will be the fifth season without a trophy. Far from being a work in progress, United are due to start from scratch with a new manager next season. They also expect an exodus of players, many on free transfers after letting their contracts expire. Yet, Europe is within reach on paper if the teams around them drop points.

Manchester United have been in good form in the league, losing just one game in the last nine. However, the four draws in this run are the concern as those are eight points dropped; they need to kill games, especially in this run to the end of the season. Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat trick to secure a 3 – 2 win against Spurs in their last match. They, however, lost at home against Atletico Madrid to get knocked out of the Champions League.

Ronaldo has racked up eighteen goals and three assists at thirty-seven. He tops their goal scoring charts with twelve goals. Bruno Fernandes is another dangerous player with nine goals and six assists. Ronaldo’s international teammate scored both goals in midweek as Portugal beat North Macedonia 2-0 to book their place in the World Cup. Raphael Varane is an important returnee after struggling with an injury last month.

After Leicester, a tough run of matches awaits United. First, they travel to the noisy Goodison Park to face Everton, who have their own troubles before Liverpool and Arsenal away. After that, it doesn’t ease off as they have to host Chelsea at the Theatre of Dreams. Then, finally, they have games against Norwich and Brentford, who could give a tough fight because of their involvement in the relegation battle.

Bet on Manchester United v Leicester City at bet365

Leicester City has been excelling since bringing in Brendan Rodgers. They have enjoyed back-to-back fifth-place finishes in the league and picked up the club’s first-ever FA Cup triumph. However, this season has seen them struggle, and they are at risk of missing out on European qualification via the league. They do, however, have silverware hopes going against PSV in the quarter-finals of the Uefa Conference League that could see them claim a Europa League spot next season. However, that route seems more realistic as they are fourteen points behind sixth place.

In the absence of Jamie Vardy, who has just seventy-nine minutes, they still managed to score and assist, but they don’t seem as potent without their leading man. They have a good record against United stealing four points from them last season, winning at Old Trafford. This fixture is a high scoring battle that has yielded thirteen goals in the previous three games. They have conceded the highest number of goals from set pieces, something they should be working on.

James Maddison has sparkled with eight goals and three assists. He is lethal on set-piece duty scoring a free kick in their 2 – 1 win against Brentford. Harvey Barnes is a threat cutting in from the left and is on three goals and six assists. Kelechi Iheanacho and Patson Daka have to step up and deputise for the ageing Vardy.

Albrighton has a groin injury. The trio of Bertrand, Ndidi, and Vardy are sidelined with a knee injury. They have a kind schedule after United, with only Spurs and Chelsea left in their fixture. They, however, still have Europa Conference League football to worry about.

Prediction: A draw.

Liverpool v Watford

Form Guide LLDWL

Form Guide WWLDD

• Venue: Anfield
• Sat 2 Apr, 12:30
• Referee: Stuart Attwell
• Quick Glance Odds H: 3/25 D: 17/2 A: 16/1

About the Game:

The Reds were out of the Premier League race when the year started. However, a nine-game winning run has made them see the title picture and could move into first place for a few hours at least. Jurgen Klopp’s side found the net twenty-three times in the winning run and are the league’s highest scorers. They have also kept a remarkable seven clean sheets during this winning run. If the hosts avoid defeat, they go ahead of Manchester City. Mohammed Salah has been involved in eleven goals (nine goals, two assists) in just seven Premier League matches against Watford. The Egyptian maestro averages a goal or assists every fifty-seven minutes against their visitors; the fourth-best ratio one player has against a club in the competition’s history. Anfield has played its part in resurrecting Liverpool’s title hopes, with the ‘Reds’ maintaining the league’s only home undefeated record this season and the best home defence.

Watford beat Southampton 2 -1 to claim only their second league win of 2022. They sit eighteenth, three points from safety, so now is the time to put up a fight. They are generally slow starters in their games and have conceded the first goal on twenty occasions, a record only eclipsed by Norwich (twenty-one). However, they have an excellent away form as they have earned more than double the points (fifteen) on the travel than they have at home (seven). Former Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson has led his side to a tremendous four-game run, winning two, drawing one and losing one. Emmanuel Dennis has scored Watford’s opener in six of nine Premier League matches he has found the net this campaign. Ismaila Sarr scored two and set up the third goal the last time the Hornets triumphed at Anfield 3 – 0 and will be hoping to work his magic again.

Prediction: Liverpool to win

Brighton v Norwich

Form Guide LLWDL

Form Guide DLLDW

• Venue: AMEX Stadium
• Sat 2 Apr, 15:00
• Referee: Simon Hooper
• Quick Glance Odds H: 1/2 D: 3/1 A: 6/1

About the Game:

Misery indeed loves company with the international break coming in timely. Two teams on a six-game losing streak battle it out against each other. The Seagulls have defensive issues, having lost by two or more goals in all these games and have scored just one goal in this run. The home advantage hasn’t helped with four defeats at the Amex stadium. There is a goal drought at Brighton, with Graham Potter’s side finding the net a joint-lowest tally ten times. A visit from the league bottlers offers a winnable chance to end their losing streak and score some goals to improve their count. Leandro Trossard scored in both fixtures in the 2019-20 season and has ten goals in fourteen home games.

Norwich is rooted at the bottom of the table and has lost the last seven games. The poor run comes on the back of an impressive run of three wins and one draw that saw them move out of the twentieth position. The defence has been leaky, conceding two or more goals each game in the seven-game losing run but only scoring four goals in this run. The Canaries are destined to be the first team for the drop to the Championship if Dean Smith doesn’t figure out their winning formula once again. They are the league’s lowest scorers (eighteen) and worryingly have seldom competed on their travels, with eight of their ten defeats also seeing them behind at halftime. Teemu Pukki has seen seven of his eight goals be the opener for his team.

Prediction: A draw.

Burnley v Manchester City

Form Guide LDWWD

Form Guide LLLDD

• Venue: Turf Moor
• Sat 2 Apr, 15:00
• Referee: Craig Pawson
• Quick Glance Odds H: 14/1 D: 11/2 A: 1/5

About the Game:

Burnley will enjoy a huge fan base in an intensified title race with Liverpool fans joining the Clarets camp on loan. However, they have lost the last three successive games without scoring which is a worry for Sean Dyche. To make matters worse, they have lost these matches with an aggregate of 8 – 0. Their best chance is to feed on the desperation of Manchester City to try to frustrate them off their best game. They have kept first-half clean sheet in five of the last six games but tend to crumble after the break. Dyche has faced Pep Guardiola fourteen times (losing thirteen and drawing one) is yet to win against the Spaniard. The numbers are alarming, having lost against the Citizens by a 24 – 1 aggregate across the last seven in which they lost. Jay Rodriguez is one of just two Burnley players who scored a goal in the previous eight at Turf Moor.

Manchester City has been shaken numerously since the turn of the year, and for the first time, we could see them lose what was a dominant lead at the top. The Citizens built a reputation of being slow starters but cementing such a lead in the second half of the season that it was impossible to slip up. They have surrendered a fourteen-point lead to just one point on a current run of two wins in the last four games (losing one, drawing one). They have a remarkable away record going into this match. Since the opening day defeat to Spurs, they have won thirteen and drawing three. Kevin De Bruyne has scored Manchester City’s second goal of the game in his last three goal-scoring appearances. The Belgian maestro needs to take some weight off Foden, who has been their starting false nine. Riyad Mahrez and Raheem Sterling are tied on ten goals despite not playing many minutes this season.

Prediction: Manchester City to win.

Chelsea v Brentford

Form Guide DWDDL

Form Guide LDLDW

• Venue: Stamford Bridge
• Sat 2 Apr, 15:00
• Referee: Chris Kavanagh
• Quick Glance Odds H: 33/100 D: 4/1 A: 9/1

About the Game:

The ownership struggle of Chelsea will hurt the team if they creep into the pitch. However, they have managed well so far, winning all four games since the sanctions commenced with this match featuring the first match with ticket sales proceeds going to charity. This season, the Blues have won six of their seven Premier League clashes against fellow Londoners without conceding. As a result, they are in a solid position to qualify for Europe but are likely too far off the pace to realistically challenge the top two. Kai Havertz has scored four goals in the last three Premier League matches, as many as he had scored in the previous twenty-one. Masson Mount tops Chelsea’s goals (eight) and assists (seven) tally.

The Bees are hoping for their first win in nine games against Chelsea in all competitions. However, Brentford has conceded the most goals (ten) from outside the box, while Chelsea has scored the most of such goals (eight). Survival is a priority for Thomas Frank, having won two of the last three games. They average just 0.4 points per game against teams that begin the day in the top four. Christian Eriksen has brought a different level of quality to the Brentford team and was in fine form on international duty, scoring and providing an assist for Denmark. Ivan Toney came from injury, recharged, has eleven goals and is the one to lead his side to survival. The 26-year-old has scored five of his team’s last six goals. They have conceded the most goals in the opening fifteen minutes than any other side.

Prediction: Chelsea to win.

Leeds United v Southampton

Form Guide WLWWD

Form Guide WDWLD

• Venue: Elland Road
• Sat 2 Apr, 15:00
• Referee: Anthony Taylor
• Quick Glance Odds H: 137/100 D: 11/4 A: 7/4

About the Game:

Leeds United are up and running in the post-Marcelo Bielsa era. Jesse March has won two games by a one-goal margin and hopes to move further from the relegation zone. They are now sixteenth, and if the ninetieth-minute winner is to go by, the team’s attitude and fighting spirit are incredible. They have produced entertaining encounters at South Yorkshire, with Elland Road not seeing a 0-0 draw all season. In the first half, the goal against Norwich was their first goal in five home league games. The Whites have lost just one of their last thirteen home matches against the Saints, winning seven and drawing five. Rodrigo has scored in each of the previous two Premier League appearances.

Southampton is six points ahead of their hosts and needs to put up a fight to stay away from being dragged closer to the drop battle. They have lost four games on the bounce. Kyle Walker-Peters earned his first England cap and has been labelled England’s Philipp Lahm; he provides excellent attacking depth for the team. The danger for Southampton is that with a thirteen point gap to Watford in 18th and not fighting for Europe, they will be less inspired coming into this match. The side that scored first has won the last five heads to head, with the Saints winning two and losing three. Ralph Hassenhuttl’s side has the second-worst away record in this term’s second half (two wins, four draws, eight defeats, and a goal difference of negative nine). Armando Broja scored Saint’s winner in the reverse fixture. Che Adams (seven) and Broja (six) have a great understanding in front of goal.

Prediction: Leeds to win.

Wolves v Aston Villa

Form Guide LLLLL

Form Guide DWDWW

• Venue: Molineux Stadium
• Sat 2 Apr, 15:00
• Referee: Darren England
• Quick Glance Odds H: 2/1 D: 21/10 A: 31/20

About the Game:

Wolves have the best defence outside the top three conceding just twenty-six goals this season. However, they lost 3 – 2 to Leeds United despite having a two-goal lead, with the break coming at the right time to reflect and get back to their best. They can reignite their European hopes with just four points separating them and sixth-placed Manchester United. The defeat to Leeds was their fourth across six games, as many as they did in the nineteen before that. Bruno Lage’s side has collected more points than they did in the entirety of last season with eight games to spare, a great return in his debut season. Francisco Trincao registered his first goal involvement, scoring and assisting in the previous match. Nelson Semedo has a thigh injury, and Neves Ruben will be noticeable absentees with a knee injury. Raul Jimenez has scored six goals with the team’s strength in their defence rather than attack prowess.

Villa won at this stadium 1 – 0 last year and will hope to repeat that feat. Twenty-year-old Jacob Ramsey has scored six Premier League goals, a record only eclipsed by two players, Luke Moore and Gabriel Agbonlahor, at that age. Aston Villa is ten points behind Wolves but still hopes to finish in the top half of the table. Wolves could be the fifth club to do a double against Villa. They have three defeats, one draw, and one win in the last five, which should worry them about coming into this encounter. Phillippe Coutinho has seven goals contributions in the last ten Premier League appearances (four goals, three assists). Villa is yet to draw an away game-winning six and losing nine, so we anticipate an exciting match with a draw seemingly unlikely.

Prediction: A draw.

West Ham United v Everton

Form Guide WDLDD

Form Guide WWWLW

• Venue: London Stadium
• Sun 3 Apr, 14:00
• Referee: Michael Oliver
• Quick Glance Odds H: 3/4 D: 14/5 A: 7/2

About the Game:

West Ham would be grateful for the international break that came after two defeats in the last three games. They are now seventh in the Premier League table, six points shy of the top four despite playing more games than the teams they rival for the European slots. However, they will be in high spirits after their Europa League triumph against the competition’s most successful team Sevilla to reach the quarter-finals of the European competition. The 3 – 1 defeat against Spurs was tough to take in, with the teams looking weary after their Thursday endeavours. Everton has been historical stubborn against the Hammers, who have won just one of the last thirteen games, drawing four and losing eight, with each of the previous three seeing the London side conceding before halftime.

Frank Lampard picked a team in a war zone with his managerial credentials put to the test with every encounter and challenge he faced. The Toffees are just one point above the drop zone, albeit with games in hand, will be more motivated to get results and ignite their survival quest. They have to overcome their rotten form on the road this campaign with just one win, three draws and nine defeats. They have conceded fourteen goals in the last four games while scoring just one. Their defence has been weak, with the injuries not helping their cause; Lampard has to perfect his attack to outscore teams. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has scored five goals across the last four head-to-head games. However, injuries have hindered the Englishman this season, and his last league goal was in the win against Brighton in August last year.

Prediction: West Ham to win.

Tottenham v Newcastle

Form Guide LDDDW

Form Guide WWLWD

• Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
• Sun 3 Apr, 16:30
• Referee: Martin Atkinson
• Quick Glance Odds H: 1/2 D: 333/100 A: 11/2

About the Game:

Tottenham are battling with Newcastle both on and off the field, with both clubs wanting the same players in the transfer market. Tottenham’s recent form of five wins out of six has seen them overtake Manchester United, and they are currently in 5th, three points behind Arsenal in 4th. However, the lack of cup and continental engagements leaves them well-positioned to battle for a top-four finish without distractions. If they win their game against Arsenal, which was postponed, they have a real good chance of making the Champions League spot their own. Antonio Conte’s side has to be consistent and prepared to pounce. They lost 3 – 2 to Manchester United to a Cristiano Ronaldo master class with a hattrick. Harry Kane has scored in three of his last five meetings with the Magpies, including two doubles.

Newcastle United kept Everton and Chelsea scoreless for more than eighty-five minutes but conceded in the final five minutes to lose 1 – 0. Eddie Howe acknowledges there is plenty of work, but the change of ownership has re-energised the team, and with colossal spending potential, they can get much better than they have been this season. They are now nine points safe from the relegation battle and look like they have done the hard part and now have to keep up their momentum to stay afloat. However, they look in a much better position than they did. All but one of their Premier League points have been earned against clubs in the bottom half, including five two or more goal defeats to the top teams. Their approach has delivered well but now have to give spirited fights in such matches and try to set them up for next season’s campaign. Scoring is still the team’s most significant issue with Callum Wilson, the top scorer with just six goals.

Prediction: Tottenham to win.

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

Form Guide DDWLL

Form Guide LWDLL

• Venue: Selhurst Park
• Mon 4 Apr, 20:00
• Referee: Paul Tierney
• Quick Glance Odds H: 3/1 D: 12/5 A: 19/20

About the Game:

Crystal Palace has failed to win in the five Premier League matches in 2022, drawing two and losing three. The third-worst winless home run that is only eclipsed by Watford (eight) and Brighton (six). However, they have excelled in the FA Cup in three games at Selhurst Park, winning by an 8 – 1 aggregate. Patrick Viera has made the Eagles a better side but now has to work on having bigger ambitions than survival. Nevertheless, they are on a six-game unbeaten run in all competitions with outstanding performances in the last two games. They beat Everton 4 – 0 and drew with the league leaders 0 – 0 and will be in high spirits welcoming their London neighbours. Wilfred Zaha, on nine goals, is a threat on the counter-attack.

Arsenal has been exceptional this campaign, although hardly anyone saw this form coming under rookie manager Mikel Arteta. Arteta was under fire when the season started, and he was almost shown the door after three consecutive defeats. They sit fourth, three points clear of Tottenham and have a game in hand to play. They have an easy run of games against Palace, Brighton, and Southampton to build momentum ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United. Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are tied on nine goals; each has been the driving force behind the turnaround. They look like a Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo partnership of the 2006-07 season. The Gunners have won their last five away matches and are clear favourites to win here on their current form. Alexandre Lacazette scored a hattrick in a friendly against Brentford during the break and has been resourceful for the team in creating spaces for the youngsters around him.

Prediction: Arsenal to win.