Premier League Matchday 31 Preview: Villa face stiff Newcastle test

Michael Black
By:
Michael Black
04/13/2023
Betting News
Football Betting News
Premier League Matchday 31 Preview: Villa face stiff Newcastle test

The 2022/23 Premier League season continues apace this weekend with yet another intriguing set of fixtures scheduled to take place.

While the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City will dominate the headlines, there are plenty of other issues worth keeping an eye on.

Read on as we take a look at the standout games on Matchday 31 and assess some of the key betting angles to consider.

Highlights

  • Resurgent Villa face acid test
  • It’s now or never for Southampton
  • Sunday road double will tempt punters

In-form Villa face tricky Newcastle test

Aston Villa have improved massively since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager and are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe.

They head into this weekend’s home against Newcastle United sixth in the table and will be eager to extend their recent unbeaten run to eight games.

However, they face a Newcastle side that have rattled off five successive wins to strengthen their grip on one of the Champions League qualification places.

Villa can still be backed at odds of 17/2 on UK betting apps to finish in the top six. A victory over the Magpies would see that price rapidly disappear.

Southampton heading into the last chance saloon

Southampton host Crystal Palace on Saturday knowing that anything less than three points will put a huge dent in their survival hopes.

The Saints are bottom of the Premier League, four points adrift of safety with just eight games remaining this season.

Their run-in includes games against Arsenal (A), Newcastle (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (A) and Liverpool (H) – none of which will be easy.

Palace were excellent at Leeds United last weekend and plenty of punters will be willing to back them at odds of 8/5 with bwin to win at St Mary’s.

Short-priced Sunday double could pay dividends

Arsenal and Manchester United both hit the road on Sunday to take on two sides who are firmly mired in the Premier League relegation battle.

The Gunners travel across London to face West Ham United and will expect to pick up three points to boost their hopes of winning the title.

United visit Nottingham Forest with their sights set on hanging onto a place in the top four and it would be a surprise if they left the City Ground empty-handed.

The best football betting sites have priced the Arsenal/Man United double at just over 6/4 and that could pay dividends for savvy bettors this weekend.

Premier League Matchday 31 Odds (via bwin)

FixturesHomeDrawAway
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United5/223/1011/10
Everton vs Fulham21/2023/1011/4
Chelsea vs Brighton & Hove Albion6/423/107/4
Southampton vs Crystal Palace7/411/58/5
Tottenham Hotspur vs Bournemouth4/918/523/4
Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Brentford7/59/42/1
Manchester City vs Leicester City17/10027/429/2
West Ham United vs Arsenal9/23/13/5
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United9/231/103/5
Leeds United vs Liverpool31/103/177/100