EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 30 Recap

Matchweek 30 marked the Premier League’s return from the international break and wasted no time throwing us straight back into the chaos. Across three days, we saw big wins, late drama, and movement all over the table. Liverpool kept rolling, Arsenal stayed alive with another narrow win, and Villa stormed back into form with a statement performance. Forest defended the City Ground yet again, Chelsea edged a nervy derby to return to the top four, and Newcastle kept their momentum going. City finally got back on track after a rocky stretch, while Brentford, West Ham, and Bournemouth all took steps back. At the bottom, Ipswich produced the shock of the week, and Leicester’s scoring drought stretched into a seventh straight match.

With Matchweek 31 kicking off right away, here’s a look back at all the key action from a short but telling round of Premier League football.

Arsenal 2-1 Fulham

Other than a late scare, Arsenal can be satisfied with an evening that ticked plenty of boxes. A 2-1 win puts them within nine points of Liverpool, and Saka’s return, marked with a goal seven minutes after coming on, gave the Gunners a huge boost. Merino’s opener came from a deflected Nwaneri cutback, and though Muniz struck in stoppage time to add some tension, Arteta’s side had already done the damage. Gabriel’s injury is a concern moving forward, but Arsenal continue to look like the most consistent side in the chase, even if it may be too little too late.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 West Ham United

Wolves made it three straight home wins with a solid showing against a West Ham side that continues to underwhelm in the final third. Strand Larsen scored his 10th league goal of the season with a deflected strike midway through the first half and later hit the bar as Wolves looked to double their lead. West Ham improved after the break, with Soucek and Ferguson both missing chances, but it wasn’t enough. Potter’s side continue to average the fewest shots per game in the league since his appointment, and despite more minutes for Fullkrug, they remain stuck in inconsistency.

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Manchester United

Forest held firm for one of the season’s great victories at the City Ground. Elanga’s goal in the fifth minute, against his former side, ended up being the difference, even as United threw everything forward. The Red Devils posted 1.66 xG to Forest’s 0.54 and saw multiple chances from Mount, Garnacho, and Maguire go begging. But desperate defending and resilient goalkeeping saw Nuno’s men over the line, adding United to the growing list of big names who’ve come away empty from Nottingham this season.

AFC Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich Town

Ipswich finally broke their 10-match winless run and picked up their first league win of 2025 in style. Enciso’s run set up Broadhead for the opener, and Delap smashed home a second just after the hour mark to silence the Vitality. Bournemouth had the better of the chances and Evanilson pulled one back after a fumble from Palmer, but the Cherries’ attack, despite 24 shots and 65% possession, lacked the goalscoring edge. Hutchinson and Semenyo both came close, with the latter hitting the bar, but the visitors held on to close the gap to nine points from safety.

Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Aston Villa

Villa stormed back into form with a ruthless display at the Amex, leapfrogging Brighton in the process. Rashford opened the scoring with a sharp finish, and January signings Malen and Asensio added two more before halftime. Brighton actually edged the chance-creation battle, but Emery’s men were simply clinical, scoring three from their four shots on target. It was a much-needed response from Villa, who now turn their attention to Nottingham Forest and a looming Champions League quarter-final with PSG.

Manchester City 2-0 Leicester City

City finally looked like themselves again. Grealish opened the scoring in the second minute, his first league goal since December, and Marmoush doubled the lead before halftime after capitalizing on a defensive mix-up. Leicester were passive, managing just 0.02 xG and two shots, with none on target. City created plenty and barely got out of second gear, leapfrogging Chelsea into fourth ahead of the Manchester derby. For Leicester, it’s now seven straight defeats without scoring, and the gap to safety sits at 12 points, cmaking relegation feel all but inevitable.

Newcastle United 2-1 Brentford

Fresh off their Carabao Cup triumph, Newcastle kept things rolling with a gritty win over Brentford. Isak scored his 20th of the season late in the first half, and though Mbeumo equalized from the spot after Wissa drew a penalty, Tonali restored the lead with a thunderbolt at the near post. Brentford pushed for another equalizer and were denied a penalty shout late on after Guimarães clashed with Damsgaard. Despite both teams offering plenty in an entertaining clash, Newcastle’s energy and quality in key moments got them over the line, moving them into fifth and just one point behind City.

Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace

It looked like Southampton were finally going to see one out, until Franca broke their hearts in stoppage time. Onuachu’s header had given the Saints a first-half lead, and they defended well throughout, limiting Palace to low-percentage looks. The Eagles controlled 57% possession and eventually equalized when Franca guided a header past Ramsdale from a Lerma cross. Palace created more chances but lacked edge in the final third. Southampton remain winless since January and now face the very real prospect of relegation as early as next weekend.

Liverpool 1-0 Everton

A cagey 246th Merseyside Derby was decided by a Jota strike early in the second half. The Portuguese forward danced through two defenders before slotting past Pickford to keep Liverpool 12 points clear at the top. Everton were compact and disciplined, but failed to offer anything going forward, with Tarkowski’s tackle on Mac Allister and Beto’s disallowed goal their only real highlights. Liverpool racked up opportunities, missed a few late half-chances, but didn’t need to overextend. Slot’s side are now unbeaten in 10 and edging closer to title number 20.

Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea edged a heated derby with a second-half header from Enzo, returning to the top four in the process. The hosts thought they had a second through Caicedo, but VAR called it off for offside. Spurs had their own goal disallowed for a foul and couldn’t find a late equalizer despite efforts from Son and Van de Ven. Chelsea finished with a higher xG, defended well down the stretch, and secured a vital result. Tottenham’s 16th loss of the season leaves them 20 points off the top four with just eight games left, another toothless effort.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 31 Preview

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025

Everton vs Arsenal – 7:30 AM EST

Everton’s nine-game unbeaten run came to an end at Anfield, but they made Liverpool work for it and continue to be a tough out at Goodison. Arsenal are still within touching distance of the leaders and look more fluid with Saka back and Merino continuing to make a difference centrally. Gabriel’s absence might give Everton a route in, especially from set pieces, but Arsenal’s attacking structure should be enough to carry them through.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Everton

Crystal Palace vs Brighton & Hove Albion – 10:00 AM EST

Palace are trending up under Glasner and will be fired up for the derby. They haven’t done the double over Brighton since 1932-33, but this looks like their best shot in decades. Brighton were sliced open repeatedly by Villa and haven’t looked the same since the break. If Palace bring the same energy they’ve shown over the past month, they should have the edge.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton

Ipswich Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – 10:00 AM EST

Ipswich finally got a win on the board at Bournemouth, but the gap to safety remains daunting. Wolves are organized, confident, and carrying real bite up front with Strand Larsen. Ipswich will press high and try to ride the home crowd, but Wolves are better structured and far more clinical in both boxes.

Prediction: Ipswich 1-2 Wolves

West Ham United vs AFC Bournemouth – 10:00 AM EST

Neither side is in rhythm right now, but Bournemouth look far more vulnerable, especially defensively, where they’ve now gone 10 straight without a clean sheet. West Ham haven’t been convincing either, but with Fullkrug back in the mix and Bowen carrying the creative load, they should have enough to see this through at home.

Prediction: West Ham 2-1 Bournemouth

Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest – 12:30 PM EST

Villa looked electric at the Amex with Rashford, Asensio, and Rogers combining sharply in the front line. Forest are still unbeaten at home in 2025 but continue to drop points away from the City Ground. Emery’s side will look to control the tempo early, then strike on the break. If they’re even close to as clinical as they were midweek, they should take the points.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2025

Brentford vs Chelsea – 9:00 AM EST

Brentford haven’t won at home since mid-January and are showing signs of regression. Chelsea are far from perfect, but looked more composed in their derby win over Spurs, with Palmer and Enzo growing into their roles. If they bring that same compact structure and control, they should edge another tight one.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Brentford

Fulham vs Liverpool – 9:00 AM EST

Fulham are coming off back-to-back losses and were largely second-best at the Emirates. Liverpool, on the other hand, are flying, unbeaten in ten, 12 points clear, and remain strong defensively. Slot’s side are methodical, measured, and know exactly what’s needed to see games out. It’s hard to see them slipping up here.

Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Fulham

Tottenham Hotspur vs Southampton – 9:00 AM EST

Spurs have hit a wall at the worst time and are winless in four, but Southampton are so far off the pace that anything less than a convincing win would be a disappointment. Sitting on just 10 points with the league’s worst goal difference, the Saints are practically down already. This feels like a chance for Tottenham to reset.

Prediction: Tottenham 3-0 Southampton

Manchester United vs Manchester City – 11:30 AM EST

United are limping into the derby with little direction and even less midfield control. City have quietly found form again, with Marmoush and Grealish leading the line in Haaland’s absence. Amorim’s side did win the reverse fixture, but Amad was a factor in that one and they’ll need to be close to perfect to do it again. City are finally starting to look like City again, and that’s bad news for their rivals.

Prediction: Manchester City 3-1 Manchester United

MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025

Leicester City vs Newcastle United – 3:00 PM EST

Leicester have lost seven straight without scoring and now welcome a Newcastle side buzzing after their Cup win and league momentum. Isak is in form, Tonali is dictating tempo, and they’re finally clicking as a unit. For Leicester, the spiral continues, no confidence, no goals, and now no realistic path to survival.

Prediction: Newcastle 3-0 Leicester