Squawka / Features / Premier League predictions – Gameweek 38: Aston Villa to win battle for Champions League

    Premier League predictions – Gameweek 38: Aston Villa to win battle for Champions League

    Premier League predictions – Gameweek 38: Aston Villa to win battle for Champions League


    The final gameweek of the 2024-25 Premier League season is here!

    The title race and relegation battle have long since been decided. However, the race for Europe couldn’t be closer.

    Three points separate Manchester City, Newcastle, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest between third and seventh, as that quintet of teams look to fill the final three Champions League spots.

    Behind that, Brighton still need a point to seal eighth, which could yet be enough for the Uefa Conference League; a loss for the Seagulls and a Brentford win would see the latter take that spot.

    All 10 games kick off at 4pm on Sunday and we’ve predicted the score for each of them.

    Bournemouth vs Leicester

    Leicester have gone three unbeaten, taking seven points. However, that has come after their relegation was already confirmed, which will be a huge source of frustration for their fans. That said, Jamie Vardy rounding off his incredible time with the Foxes with a record of 200 goals in 500 games in last week’s 2-0 win over Ipswich was very satisfying and great to see. Bournemouth have won just two of their last 12 after looking so likely to qualify for Europe, but they’ll be able to see off the Foxes.

    Prediction: Bournemouth 1-0 Leicester (8/1 with BoyleSports)

    Fulham vs Man City

    Regardless of what they do here, this will be Manchester City’s lowest points total since 2015/16, while they will still be smarting over last week’s FA Cup final defeat. However, they cannot afford to sulk as they still need a result to secure Champions League football. A draw should be enough, barring a ridiculous 17-goal swing between themselves and Aston Villa. But Pep Guardiola’s men would be more satisfied by securing their 18th straight win over Fulham in all competitions.

    Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Man City (7/1 with BoyleSports)

    Ipswich vs West Ham

    There really hasn’t been anything for either of these sides to sing about this season, a few memorable moments for Ipswich aside in their first Premier League campaign since 2002. For West Ham, it’s been utterly dismal, even though they look set to finish above both Manchester United and Tottenham. The Hammers battered Ipswich 4-1 in their previous meeting way back in October and while it won’t be that clear-cut at Portman Road, it should be another claret and blue victory.

    Prediction: Ipswich 0-2 West Ham (12/1 with BoyleSports)

    Liverpool vs Crystal Palace

    The season ends with a lovely preview of the Community Shield, with Premier League champions Liverpool hosting FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. The hangover from the Reds sealing the title has been shocking, with just one point taken from three games since thrashing Spurs 5-1 to seal the trophy. By contrast, Palace followed up their FA Cup final victory over Man City — their first-ever major trophy — by beating Wolves 4-2. Palace are known for causing Liverpool problems and maybe they’ll dampen the party atmosphere ever so slightly again.

    Prediction: Liverpool 2-2 Crystal Palace (12/1 with BoyleSports)

    Man Utd vs Aston Villa

    It’s hard to think of a worse season for a club of Man Utd’s stature. 16th in the Premier League, trophyless and without Champions League football after losing to Spurs in the Europa League final. Had the promoted three not been so poor, they genuinely could have been in relegation trouble. They host an Aston Villa side needing a win to secure another season in the Champions League and you really can picture Unai Emery’s side — who haven’t conceded in three — coming to Old Trafford on a mission.

    Prediction: Man Utd 0-2 Aston Villa (8/1 with BoyleSports)

    Newcastle vs Everton

    Newcastle are another side needing a result to seal Champions League qualification, sitting fourth but only a point ahead of Forest in seventh. For Everton, this really is after the Lord Mayor’s Show following their incredible Goodison Park send-off last week. While it’s hard to see a David Moyes side being hammered, they probably don’t have enough left in the tank to trouble Newcastle too much.

    Prediction: Newcastle 3-1 Everton (9/1 with BoyleSports)

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      Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

      This is undoubtedly the game of the week. Just a single point separates Chelsea in fifth from Forest in seventh, and with Aston Villa in the mix between them, both realistically need to win to reach the Champions League. There’s a lot in favour of Forest in this one, including home advantage and Chelsea having a Uefa Conference League final to think about. However, Tricky Trees haven’t been convincing of late and could be held to a costly draw.

      Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Chelsea (6/1 with BoyleSports)

      Southampton vs Arsenal

      Arsenal have responded well to their Champions League semi-final defeat to PSG, coming from behind to draw 2-2 at Liverpool before beating Newcastle 1-0. That’s ensured the Gunners will dine at Europe’s top table again next season and you can’t see anything other than a comfortable victory to round off the season against a Southampton side with just two wins and 12 points on the board.

      Prediction: Southampton 0-3 Arsenal (15/2 with BoyleSports)

      Tottenham vs Brighton

      If it’s after the Lord Mayor’s Show for Everton, what is it for Tottenham? Ange Postecoglou made good on his promise and delivered a trophy in his second season, with the Europa League title ensuring a team that may well finish 17th in the Premier League will play in the Champions League next season. But then, they’re champions of something, so are they more deserving of other sides qualifying? Regardless, there will be a serious hangover here and Brighton still need a result to finish eighth. Expect that wretched Premier League form to return and nobody in white to care.

      Prediction: Tottenham 1-3 Brighton (10/1 with BoyleSports)

      Wolves vs Brentford

      Vitor Pereira’s turnaround at Wolves has been astonishing, but they’ve relaxed in a big way, losing their last three games. Brentford will want to be primed for any potential Brighton mistakes in the race for eighth and that deadly attacking quartet of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade and Mikkel Damsgaard should be able to apply the pressure to the Seagulls.

      Prediction: Wolves 0-2 Brentford (14/1 with BoyleSports)

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