The English Premier League season rolls on with a midweek slate of action as the title race heats up after Liverpool jumped back into top spot. With less than ten games to go, it’s all to play for, and we’ve got you covered with our best bets for Matchday 31 for free right here!
EPL 2023-24: Matchday 31 Preview & Betting Tips
Arsenal vs Luton Town
Emirates Stadium, Thursday 4th April, 5:30am AEDT
Arsenal’s scoreless draw against Manchester City saw them lose top spot on the Premier League table, but still has them in the title race, just two points behind Liverpool. Mikel Arteta’s side backs up from their crucial clash, with a matchup against eighteenth placed Luton. Luton have fallen back into the relegation zone after their loss against Tottenham, however they’re still level on points with seventeenth place Nottingham Forest, so every point is crucial in the fight for survival.
Luton have shown some more positive signs as the season has gone on, however they simply don’t have a defence that is capable of competing against the best teams in the league. The Hatters have conceded 62 goals - the third most in the league this season, and are coming up against the most prolific scoring team in the league this season. The Gunners have scored 70 goals, and were held to their first clean sheet in ten games against City.
Arsenal will be desperate to bounce back after their first game without a win in 2024. The Gunners are still undefeated from their last nine Premier League games, and are the most in-form team in the league. Six of Arsenal’s last nine league matches have hit over 3.5 total goals, while six of Luton’s last ten Premier League games have seen four or more goals scored. This fixture could get ugly for Luton, but there’s no doubt there’ll be an abundance of goals in this clash.
Over 3.5 Total Goals
$1.62 (1.5 Units)
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Etihad Stadium, Thursday 4th April, 6:15am AEDT
Manchester City were the big losers of Matchday 30, despite a 0-0 draw with Arsenal. The draw now sees City three points away from top spot on the table with nine games to go and they’re going to need to not only be near perfect themselves, but need Liverpool and Arsenal to slip up. Aston Villa are in fourth place, just three points behind Man City after their comfortable 2-0 win over Wolves. The win not only keeps Villa three points ahead of fifth placed Tottenham, but importantly keeps them ahead of Spurs on goal difference, which is crucial given they have a game in hand on Villa.
The scoreless performance was the first time Manchester City failed to score at home in 57 games, and they also failed to score against Villa when the two sides faced off earlier in the season. City and Aston Villa are ranked fourth and fifth respectively for goals scored in the Premier League this season, so the balance of this game will be fascinating to see if City look to be more free flowing and take the game on after only managing one goal across their last two games.
Despite a disappointing fortnight with back-to-back draws against fellow title contenders, it’s still important to look at the big picture and see the body of work the defending champions have put together over the last few months. City are unbeaten in their last fourteen Premier League matches, having not lost since the sixth of December. There will be a desperation that Pep Guardiola’s side will play with given what they need to produce to keep themselves in the title race, so expect a big performance from Manchester City in this clash.
Manchester City -1
$1.70 (1.5 Units)
Liverpool vs Sheffield United
Anfield, Friday 5th April, 5:30am AEDT
Liverpool were the big winners of Manchester City and Arsenal’s draw, with Jurgen Klopp’s side moving two points clear in first place on the Premier League table. After conceding inside of two minutes, the Reds got to work and picked up a 2-1 victory against Brighton. Liverpool get a great opportunity to take care of business when they host bottom of the league Sheffield United. The Blades are ten points away from safety and on the verge of being relegated, in what has been nothing short of a diabolical season.
The Blades have been atrocious at the back this season leaking goals left, right and centre. Sheffield United have conceded a league most 77 goals this season, which is eleven more than the next placed side. In contrast Liverpool are the second most prolific scoring team in the Premier League having scored 67 goals, and will expose the Blades badly with the quality they have in their front three. Sheffield United have conceded seventeen goals from their last five games in the league, and have only managed to keep one clean sheet through 29 games.
Liverpool have won their last five Premier League meetings between the two sides, with three of the last four games resulting in 2-0 wins. The Blades have only one win from their last thirteen league games this season, and given their ineptitude in defence this season, it’s impossible to see Sheffield United keeping this competitive. Liverpool will once again get the job done, in nothing short of convincing fashion.
Liverpool -2
$1.67 (2 Units)
