Premier League Game Week 36 Preview

It’s Gameweek 36 of the Premier League season and much of this weekend’s interest surrounds the battle for European qualification. 

Champions League hopefuls Aston Villa and Manchester City are in action on Saturday, while top-five rivals Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea all play on Sunday.

City travel to already-relegated Southampton on Saturday as they look to consolidate their position in the top three by drawing level with Arsenal with a win, before Aston Villa face a tricky tie at Bournemouth in the late kick-off with this season’s Champions League quarter-finalists looking far from certain in booking a return to Europe’s top table next season. 

Then on Sunday, there is a key battle between Newcastle and Chelsea as the pair aim for a place in next season’s Champions League, before Nottingham Forest hope to make up ground in the race for a top-five finish in a home tie with Leicester. 

The weekend’s finale sees the Premier League’s top two go head-to-head when the Gunners head to Liverpool, with Arne Slot’s men already having secured the title.

Tip 1: Bournemouth to beat Aston Villa @ 7/5 with bet365

Aston Villa are still in the race for a top-five finish, but it’s been a long hard season for Unai Emery’s men and their Champions League hopes could take a hit at Bournemouth. 

Villa have been fighting in the latter stages of this season’s Champions League as well as the FA Cup and those commitments have come alongside a gruelling Premier League campaign. 

Emery’s men were only narrow 1-0 winners at home to Fulham last time out and that followed a 3-0 hammering by Crystal Palace in the semi finals of the FA Cup. 

Bournemouth – looking for a European finish themselves – will be buoyed by last weekend’s excellent 2-1 win at Arsenal and the Cherries look the pick of the Matchday 36 action.

Tip 2: Chelsea to beat Newcastle @ 21/10 with bet365

Newcastle and Chelsea meet at St James’ Park in a key contest in the battle for a top-five finish. 

The Mgpies have won six of their last eight Premier League matches, but that record may flatter them. Those six victories have come against West Ham, Brentford, Leicester, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Ipswich and there is no doubt Eddie Howe’s men have enjoyed a kind run of fixtures. 

Liverpool had the title wrapped up already, but Chelsea’s 3-1 Stamford Bridge success over the champions was still an impressive performance and the Blues look underrated on Sunday. 

Tip 3: Leicester to beat Nottingham Forest @ 7/1 with bet365

Nottingham Forest have enjoyed an excellent season and they have a chance of Champions League qualification. At the same time, Leicester are heading for the Championship, but Sunday’s City Ground tie may not play out as the prices suggest. 

The Tricky Trees have won only one of their last six matches while they have scored only five goals in their last eight games. 

Clearly, Leicester have struggled this season, but they may not be as bad as the odds suggest this weekend and look worth considering against an -out-of-form opponent.