EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 31 Recap

Matchweek 31 had a bit of everything—upsets, drama, and another shift in momentum across the table. Liverpool’s long unbeaten run came crashing down at Craven Cottage, Arsenal were held at Goodison, and City fired blanks in a cagey derby draw. Chelsea lost ground in the top-four chase after a stalemate at Brentford, while Newcastle surged past Leicester with a dominant display. Wolves kept climbing, Villa stayed red-hot, and Fulham delivered their best performance of the season. Southampton became the first team officially relegated, Ipswich took another step toward joining them, and Palace edged Brighton in a fiery derby that saw three red cards and a major statement from Oliver Glasner’s side.

As Matchweek 32 approaches with plenty still on the line, from the title race to the bottom three, here’s a full look back at the key talking points from Matchweek 31, plus a look ahead to another crucial round of fixtures in Matchweek 32.

Everton 1-1 Arsenal

Arsenal’s slim title hopes took another hit at Goodison. Trossard opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a tidy finish after Sterling led a sharp break, but the visitors couldn’t put the game away. Early in the second half, Lewis-Skelly brought down Harrison in the box, and Ndiaye converted calmly from the spot to level it. Arsenal pushed late and finished with 1.83 xG, but couldn’t find a winner. Everton, now mathematically safe, extended their strong home form with another gritty performance.

Crystal Palace 2-1 Brighton & Hove Albion

Palace completed a rare league double over their rivals in a chaotic clash at Selhurst Park. Mateta got them off to a dream start in the third minute after a clever pass from Eze, but Brighton responded through Welbeck, who slotted in from Minteh’s assist just after the half-hour. The winner came early in the second half when Munoz’s low shot took a heavy deflection off Estupiñán and found the net. Palace saw red twice in the final ten minutes, with Nketiah and Guehi both sent off, while Brighton finished with ten after Van Hecke’s stoppage-time dismissal. Henderson came up huge late to preserve the points.

Ipswich Town 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers

Ipswich took the lead in the 16th minute through Delap, who pounced on a knockdown to fire past Sá, but it was all Wolves after the break. Sarabia equalized with a clean strike in the 72nd, and Strand Larsen grabbed the winner in the 84th, turning in from close range after Sarabia’s volleyed assist. Wolves finished with over 2.7 xG and dominated the second half, pulling 12 points clear of the drop zone. Ipswich, meanwhile, continue to slide, with their Premier League dream looking increasingly short-lived.

West Ham United 2-2 AFC Bournemouth

Bournemouth started brightly and took a 10th-minute lead through Evanilson, but West Ham responded with goals from Fullkrug and Bowen early in the second half to flip the match. Just when it looked like they’d close it out, Evanilson popped up again in the 87th minute to equalize, capping off a lively performance for the Brazilian. Bournemouth created far more on the day with 2.15 xG, and West Ham’s lack of control once again came back to haunt them.

Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Villa extended their win streak to seven in all competitions and moved up to sixth with a solid home win. Rogers opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a precise strike, and Malen doubled the lead moments later with a composed finish after a slick move. Jota Silva pulled one back for Forest just before the hour, and Murillo nearly found a dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, but his long-range effort clipped the bar. Villa held on, and head into their Champions League clash with PSG in top form.

Brentford 0-0 Chelsea

Chelsea missed a chance to climb back into the top four after being held in a tight West London derby. Without Palmer, they struggled to break down Brentford’s shape, and while Jackson and Madueke offered some threat off the bench, they couldn’t find the breakthrough. Mbeumo hit the bar at the other end, and Flekken made a handful of strong stops to earn his side a point. Chelsea edged the xG battle but lacked the sharpness to make it count.

Fulham 3-2 Liverpool

Liverpool’s 26-game unbeaten run came to an end in spectacular fashion as Fulham produced one of their best performances of the season. Mac Allister put the visitors in front early with a curling effort, but Fulham flipped the match with three goals in 15 minutes. Sessegnon equalized before Iwobi and Muniz each found the net to make it 3-1 at the break. Luis Diaz cut the deficit late on, but Fulham stood tall and handed the league leaders a rare loss. The Reds remain top but saw their lead trimmed with seven to go.

Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 Southampton

Southampton’s relegation was confirmed after a second-half collapse at Tottenham. Johnson scored twice in the opening 25 minutes, with his second coming after a clever header from Maddison, but Fernandes pulled one back with a volley before the break. Spurs eventually killed it off late, with Tel converting from the spot in stoppage time to seal the win. Southampton become the first team officially relegated this season, sitting on just 10 points with seven matches left.

Manchester United 0-0 Manchester City

The Manchester Derby lacked fireworks but delivered plenty of tension as both sides were forced to settle for a point. Garnacho came closest for United, forcing Ederson into a fine save, while City dominated the second half but couldn’t break through. Grealish and Marmoush both had chances late, but neither could find the finishing touch. The result leaves United 13th and City just outside the top four, with both needing to respond quickly in Europe.

Leicester City 0-3 Newcastle United

Newcastle delivered a commanding performance at the King Power to stay right on the heels of the top four. Murphy scored twice before halftime — first from a Livramento cutback, then reacting quickest to a Schar rebound — before Barnes added a third against his former club. Leicester failed to land a punch and now haven’t scored in over a month. Still 19th and 12 points from safety, their return to the Championship feels closer by the week.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 32 Preview

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025

Manchester City vs Crystal Palace – 7:30 AM EST

City haven’t scored in three of their last six and continue to show cracks when pressed. Palace are unbeaten in ten straight on the road and have quietly become one of the best counterattacking teams in the league. Mateta remains in form and Eze continues to create. De Bruyne’s return to the Etihad could give City the emotional edge they need, but it might not be comfortable against a Palace side that’s already taken points off Arsenal and Brighton since the break.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Crystal Palace

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Leicester City – 10:00 AM EST

Leicester have now lost eight straight home games without scoring and look resigned to the drop. Brighton were picked apart by Palace but tend to handle struggling sides well at home. With more control and attacking purpose, De Zerbi’s side should cruise unless Leicester pull off something miraculous — which hasn’t happened in over a month.

Prediction: Brighton 3-0 Leicester City

Nottingham Forest vs Everton – 10:00 AM EST

Forest are still unbeaten at the City Ground in 2025 and continue to battle despite key absences. Everton have just one loss in their last ten but continue to lack sharpness in the final third. With Forest’s high press and the crowd behind them, it feels like another City Ground special.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Everton

Southampton vs Aston Villa – 10:00 AM EST

Villa will be rotating following their UCL loss to PSG, but even a second string should handle this. Southampton are already planning for the Championship and haven’t shown signs of life. Expect a professional, no-nonsense win from Emery’s men.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-0 Southampton

Arsenal vs Brentford – 12:30 PM EST

Arsenal remain within striking distance at the top and have done a good job dispatching teams like Brentford. With Merino continuing to impress and the attack in sync, they should take care of business and keep the pressure on Liverpool.

Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Brentford

SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2025

Chelsea vs Ipswich Town – 9:00 AM EST

Chelsea failed to create much at Brentford but Palmer’s return should unlock more movement in the final third. Ipswich will push and can score, but their defensive lapses away from home continue to cost them.

Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Ipswich Town

Liverpool vs West Ham United – 9:00 AM EST

Slot’s unbeaten streak came to an end at Craven Cottage, but Anfield should bring a response. West Ham can’t afford another slow start but haven’t shown the consistency to hang with the top sides. Liverpool should bounce back with authority.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 West Ham United

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Tottenham Hotspur – 9:00 AM EST

Wolves have won four of five and look sharp with Strand Larsen leading the line. Spurs finally broke their skid, but they’ve looked shaky in possession and vulnerable in transitions. Wolves’ midfield dominance could decide it.

Prediction: Wolves 2-2 Tottenham

Newcastle United vs Manchester United – 11:30 AM EST

Newcastle are peaking again and Murphy’s recent form has added balance to their attack. United haven’t won in four and continue to look toothless when pressed. With St. James’ Park behind them, the Magpies should ride the wave as United’s confidence and midfield stability continue to waver.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-1 Manchester United

MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2025

AFC Bournemouth vs Fulham – 3:00 PM EST

Fulham stunned Liverpool last week and remain dangerous in transition, while Bournemouth still haven’t kept a clean sheet since January. Semenyo and Tavernier offer threat, but Fulham’s momentum gives them the edge.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-2 Fulham