Gameweek 31 Preview: Stakes, Form and Weekend Predictions

Sunday’s Carabao Cup final will dominate conversation, but a decisive run of Premier League fixtures leaves little room for the top flight to play second fiddle. The action this weekend carries crucial consequences at both ends of the table, and several title-chasing clubs head out on the road looking to strengthen their Champions League bids.

The weekend opens with Manchester United travelling to Bournemouth, a side unbeaten in the league since Jan. 3 but held to four straight draws. Bournemouth sit 10th, with seventh-place Brentford only four points better off, so a win here would significantly enhance their outside European hopes. Only Newcastle United have beaten Manchester United since Michael Carrick retook the reins, and United responded to their defeat on Tyneside with a 3–1 win over Aston Villa last weekend. Prediction: Bournemouth 1–2 Man Utd.

Liverpool arrived off a needed 4–0 victory midweek that followed criticism after another late concession at Tottenham Hotspur. Arne Slot’s side used Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai in advanced roles and moved Mohamed Salah closer to goal with positive effect. Brighton visit having won three of their previous four and have avoided defeat in each of their last three league outings against Liverpool at the AMEX. Prediction: Brighton 1–1 Liverpool.

The 3 p.m. blackout fixture sees Fulham host Burnley. Burnley remain nine points adrift of safety with eight games to play, while Fulham have collected only one point from recent outings against Nottingham Forest and West Ham United. Fulham should be confident here. Prediction: Fulham 2–1 Burnley.

Chelsea have had a difficult few days, including being hit with a record fine for ‘secret payments’ made under the previous regime and learning Enzo Fernández is considering a summer exit. Everton have struggled to settle in their new ground but beat Burnley 2–0 on their previous Merseyside outing. Both sides will seek to return to winning ways. Prediction: Everton 1–1 Chelsea.

Leeds, Brentford, Newcastle, Sunderland, Aston Villa, West Ham, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest all face matches that carry relegation or European implications. Of note: Tottenham’s home game against Nottingham Forest has been cast as a potentially season-defining fixture. Final predictions: Leeds 2–1 Brentford; Newcastle 2–0 Sunderland; Aston Villa 2–2 West Ham; Tottenham 3–1 Nott’m Forest.