EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 33 Recap

Matchweek 33 delivered a blow for some and a lifeline for others, as the English Premier League table took yet another sharp twist. Liverpool kept their title charge intact with a late winner at the King Power, condemning Leicester to the drop in the process, and are only a point away this Sunday from clinching the title. Arsenal bounced back in ruthless fashion but then tied during their midweek match against a Crystal Palace side who have done little but concede goals, while Newcastle, one of the league’s hottest teams in recent weeks, were dismantled by a Villa side returning from their Champions League quest, only to follow that with a loss to Manchester City in the Matchweek 34 midweek opener on Tuesday. United’s woes continued with another toothless home defeat. Brentford and Forest both boosted their European hopes, Chelsea stole three points in stoppage time, and Wolves mathematically sealed survival. With the Champions League race heating up and relegation now official for one side, here’s how the weekend unfolded, how the two midweek matches fared, and what to expect for the remainder of what could be a title-clinching, thrilling weekend ahead.

Brentford 4–2 Brighton & Hove Albion

Brentford snapped an eight-match home winless run with a clinical showing against ten-man Brighton, led by a sensational Bryan Mbeumo performance. He opened the scoring in the 9th minute and doubled it just after the break, then assisted Wissa to make it 3–1. Brighton’s hopes were dented further when Joao Pedro was shown a straight red, though Mitoma did pull one back in the 81st. Christian Norgaard’s late header sealed it in stoppage time. The Bees finished with 2.29 xG to Brighton’s 1.29 in a match full of open play and big moments. Mbeumo and Wissa have now scored in the same game seven times this season, more than any other duo in the league, and only seven pairs in Premier League history have done so more often for the same club.

Crystal Palace 0–0 AFC Bournemouth

A goalless draw that flattered the action. Palace played the second half with ten men after Chris Richards’ second yellow, but Bournemouth couldn’t capitalize despite 73% possession and 15 total shots. Palace had just five shots, zero big chances, and never truly threatened, but Dean Henderson made the saves that mattered. Bournemouth’s lack of finishing in the final third ensured both sides walked away with a point each.

Everton 0–2 Manchester City

City left it late but got the job done at Goodison. Everton were well-focused and even hit the post through Tarkowski in the first half, but City eventually found their breakthrough when Nunes picked out O’Reilly in the 84th minute after a Bernardo Silva playmaking sequence. Kovacic then sealed it in stoppage time after Gundogan’s pass. City had 67% possession and 2.04 xG to Everton’s 0.91, and while the Toffees made them work, it’s five unbeaten now for Pep’s side.

West Ham United 1–1 Southampton

Already relegated, Southampton stole a late point thanks to Ugochukwu’s stoppage-time strike, canceling out Jarrod Bowen’s curling opener early in the second half. Sulemana had earlier struck the bar for the Saints, and while West Ham controlled most of the second half, they couldn’t put it away. A deflection off Kilman fell kindly to Ugochukwu, who made no mistake to secure the 1–1. West Ham now haven’t won in six, and Southampton draw level with Derby’s infamous points tally from 2008.

Aston Villa 4–1 Newcastle United

A flying start, and an even better finish. Villa took the lead just 33 seconds in via Watkins’ deflected strike, and while Schar briefly leveled, it was all Villa from there. Maatsen restored the lead, Burn turned in an own goal, and Onana blasted home a fourth as Newcastle completely fell apart. Watkins equaled Agbonlahor’s all-time Villa PL goal mark, and Villa’s 2.26 xG and 23 shots told the story of a side now unbeaten in 19 straight at home. Emery’s setup, deploying McGinn and Rogers as narrow No. 10s alongside Tielemans, completely overwhelmed Tonali in midfield and flipped the match after halftime. Newcastle’s six-game win streak and their status as one of the hottest teams in the league ended with a demolition.

Fulham 1–2 Chelsea

A tale of two halves, and two substitutes. Iwobi put Fulham ahead in the 20th minute after capitalizing on Reece James’ error, and for a while, it looked like Chelsea’s winless away streak would stretch to nine. But 19-year-old Tyrique George leveled in the 83rd minute with a phenomenal goal, and in the 93rd, Pedro Neto scored the winner to complete the comeback. Chelsea posted 0.90 xG to Fulham’s 0.25 and snatched a massive three points in their Champions League hunt. Fulham have now dropped 25 points from winning positions this season, the second-most in the league behind Ipswich.

Ipswich Town 0–4 Arsenal

Total domination from the Gunners in this one. Trossard scored twice, Martinelli added a second, and Nwaneri capped it off late in a match Ipswich never had control of. Davis’ red card for a reckless tackle on Saka in the 32nd minute left the hosts chasing shadows, and Arsenal racked up 75% possession, 24 total shots, and 2.55 xG in a ruthless display. Ipswich, with just four shots and none on target, look destined for a direct return to the Championship. Odegaard alone completed more final-third passes than six teams managed across the entire weekend, and Arsenal’s right-sided dominance with Saka and Odegaard summed up the mismatch.

Manchester United 0–1 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves did the double over United for the first time since 1979–80 thanks to a moment of magic from Sarabia. The substitute curled in a stunning free-kick in the 77th minute, and United couldn’t respond. Despite 60% possession and 1.32 xG, they failed to make it count. Wolves, with just 0.25 xG and one shot on target, needed only one chance. It’s now 15 league defeats for United, a Premier League era record. For Wolves, it’s five straight wins and mathematical safety. Vitor Pereira’s Wolves revival now totals 29 points from 17 matches in charge, a staggering turnaround that should put him in the Barclays Manager of the Season conversation.

Leicester City 0–1 Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 76th-minute screamer not only secured three points for Liverpool, it also confirmed Leicester’s relegation. Salah hit both posts, Jota hit the bar, and Coady had a goal disallowed as the Foxes defended deep but eventually caved. Liverpool fired 28 shots and created 10 big chances en route to 2.57 xG. Leicester, now goalless in nine straight home games, are officially down. Trent’s celebration, planting his shirt on the corner flag, may well go down as one of the most iconic images of the season, especially as questions swirl around his future at Anfield. Liverpool now only need one more point to clinch the title.

Tottenham Hotspur 1–2 Nottingham Forest

Forest took control early and never let go. Anderson scored off a deflected corner in the 5th minute, and Chris Wood doubled the lead with a powerful header from Elanga’s cross. Spurs responded late through Richarlison in the 87th, but Sels came up big and Toffolo’s goal-line clearance denied a dramatic equalizer. Despite 70% possession, 22 shots, four big chances, and 2.14 xG, Spurs were undone by poor defending and now have 18 league defeats, more than any other side that’s not in a relegation battle. Forest climb back into fourth with five to play.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 34 Preview

TUESDAY, APRIL 22, 2025

Manchester City 2–1 Aston Villa

A cagey, high-stakes clash exploded into life at the death, with City snatching a critical win through Matheus Nunes’ 91st-minute strike. Bernardo Silva’s early opener was cancelled out by Rashford’s well-taken penalty, but Jeremy Doku’s late burst opened the door for Nunes to fire in his first league goal of the season. City had the better of possession and twice as many shots, but Villa edged the xG battle 1.76 to 1.33 and will feel unlucky not to take something from this match. Still, it’s three points to Pep’s men, who now sit in third with a game in hand. Both teams turn their attention to FA Cup semi-final action this weekend.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23, 2025

Arsenal 2–2 Crystal Palace

Arsenal twice led and twice were pulled back in a result that almost surely ends their title hopes. A sloppy second-half showing saw them create just 1.18 xG and 12 shots to Palace’s 1.81 and 15 shots, and a late Mateta lob punished a brutal Saliba mistake. Martinelli had a goal ruled out after Timber’s cross left the pitch, and the front line couldn’t find a way past Henderson late. The result gifts Liverpool an opportunity to clinch the title this Sunday, while Palace hold firm in 12th after a resilient display following a rough couple of weeks.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 2025

Chelsea vs Everton – 7:30 AM EST

Chelsea left it late at Fulham but got the job done. Now back at the Bridge, they face an Everton side that’s picked up just one win from their last six and is winless in their last seven on the road. Still, Everton haven’t been easy to break down, and Chelsea have struggled against deep blocks. I expect another grind.

Prediction: Chelsea 1–0 Everton

Brighton & Hove Albion vs West Ham United – 10:00 AM EST

Neither team has won in their last five, and both come into this off disappointing results. Brighton conceded four to Brentford, while West Ham let a stoppage-time equalizer slip past them at home to already-relegated Southampton. It feels like a now-or-never type game for the Hammers to spark a late revival. But Brighton at the Amex still hold some weight.

Prediction: Brighton 2–1 West Ham

Newcastle United vs Ipswich Town – 10:00 AM EST

This could be the match that mathematically seals Ipswich’s fate. Newcastle were rocked by Villa but have been a different beast at home. With Isak, Barnes, and Gordon back in sync, and Ipswich down to scraps after another heavy defeat, the writing’s on the wall.

Prediction: Newcastle 4–1 Ipswich

Southampton vs Fulham – 10:00 AM EST

Southampton need just one point to avoid equaling Derby’s all-time worst Premier League total, and they may just get it here. Fulham’s away form has dipped, and they’ve now lost back-to-back matches. The Saints are already down, but they’re fighting for pride.

Prediction: Southampton 1–1 Fulham

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leicester City – 10:00 AM EST

Wolves are flying under Pereira, now with five straight wins and nothing to lose. Leicester, on the other hand, are officially down and limping to the finish. Wolves’ momentum should carry them through again here, especially with their recent form.

Prediction: Wolves 2–0 Leicester

SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2025

AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester United – 9:00 AM EST

Manchester United’s focus seems solely on Europe, and it’s shown in their league form. Bournemouth, meanwhile, are organized, confident, and playing with purpose despite a draw against Palace last week. Given how passive United have looked in recent league fixtures, the Cherries have every chance to capitalize, but it will be a cagey affair.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2–2 Manchester United

Liverpool vs Tottenham Hotspur – 11:30 AM EST

One point is all Liverpool need to officially secure the title, and doing it at Anfield against bitter rivals’ bitter rivals would be fitting. Spurs were exposed again last weekend, and with their European priorities elsewhere, Slot’s men should feast. It might not be pretty, but I expect fireworks either way.

Prediction: Liverpool 3–1 Tottenham

THURSDAY, MAY 1, 2025

Nottingham Forest vs Brentford – 2:30 PM EST

Forest’s recent form has reignited their European push, and they’ll back themselves at home, where they’ve been one of the tougher sides to break down. Brentford are improving on the road and won’t go quietly, but Forest’s aggression, intensity, and desire to make a mark on this season should be the difference maker.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2–1 Brentford