EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 32 Recap

Matchweek 32 packed in more drama, more movement, and a reminder that we’re heading straight into the business end of the season. Liverpool left it late but held firm at the top, still 13 points clear and now just two wins away from the title. Arsenal’s draw with Brentford leaves them looking over their shoulder, while Newcastle’s emphatic win over United, Villa’s late flurry at Southampton, and City’s five-goal turnaround keep the race for Champions League football razor-tight. Chelsea and Forest both dropped more points, Spurs collapsed again, and Bournemouth surged back into the top eight. At the bottom, Leicester finally scored and Ipswich showed fight, but neither could find a win as the gap to safety continues to widen.

There’s no rest, either. Matchweek 33 kicks off immediately and wraps just a day before Matchweek 34 begins, making this the first of two straight double-matchweeks that could decide everything from the title to the drop. With 18 teams still chasing something, be it glory, Europe, or survival, every fixture carries weight. Here’s your weekly Matchweek 32 recap and Matchweek 33 preview!

Manchester City 5–2 Crystal Palace

Palace came out swinging at the Etihad, with Eze tapping in from close range and Richards heading home a corner to silence the home crowd inside 21 minutes. Eze thought he had a third before halftime, but VAR ruled it out for offside. From there, it became the De Bruyne show. The captain curled in a brilliant free kick, assisted Marmoush for the equalizer, then played a part in Kovacic’s go-ahead strike moments into the second half. McAtee scored his first league goal on a long assist from Ederson with a sweet touch, and O’Reilly added a fifth to cap off the comeback. City fired 21 shots and put up 3.81 xG in one of their most dominant attacking displays of the season and showed what they can do when they flip a switch.

Brighton & Hove Albion 2–2 Leicester City

Brighton let two leads slip in a frustrating draw at the Amex. Joao Pedro twice converted from the penalty spot, first after Coady’s handball and again after Thomas dragged down O’Riley, but Leicester refused to give up. Mavididi equalized with a thunderous strike before halftime, and Okoli leveled again with a diving header from an El Khannouss free kick. The Foxes nearly snatched it late when El Khannouss struck the post, but the point snapped their eight-game losing streak and gave them a glimpse of hope. Brighton, who finished with 21 total shots and 3.91 xG, will certainly reflect on the missed chances.

Nottingham Forest 0–1 Everton

Forest looked poised to grind out a draw until disaster struck deep in stoppage time. A mistake by Murillo gifted McNeil a break, and he played in Doucouré for a clinical winner that silenced the City Ground. Everton had more of the ball and edged the xG battle (1.36 to 0.52), and forced Forest to look out of sorts and rhythm. Even through their possession dominance, Everton played on the counter, frustrated the hosts, and grabbed their moment when it came. Moyes’ side have now taken points from back-to-back games and against two top six sides, and keep climbing.

Southampton 0–3 Aston Villa

It took a while to break through, but once they did, Villa made sure of it. Watkins finally got the opener in the 73rd minute through a class finish after earlier seeing Asensio’s penalty saved. Malen doubled the lead soon after with a sharp finish from Rogers’ assist, and McGinn capped things off in stoppage time after Ramsdale denied another Asensio spot kick. Villa ended with 3.03 xG and 60 percent possession, cruising to their eighth straight win in all competitions and climbing back into the top six picture.

Arsenal 1–1 Brentford

Arsenal struggled for rhythm in a cagey affair at the Emirates. They thought they’d gone ahead through Tierney, but VAR ruled it out for offside. The breakthrough finally came just after the hour, when Raya launched a counter that Rice carried all the way before setting up Partey for the finish. But Brentford responded 13 minutes later where Wissa spun and finished after Collins headed down a corner. The Gunners couldn’t find a late winner and lost more ground in the title race with back-to-back draws.

Chelsea 2–2 Ipswich Town

Chelsea needed a second-half rally to avoid embarrassment against Ipswich, who went up 2–0 through Enciso and Johnson before the break. A Tuanzebe own goal that looked like a Cucurella goal at first gave the hosts life, and Sancho’s beautiful strike made it 2–2 with ten minutes to go. Palmer was outstanding in net for Ipswich, denying several late efforts as the Blues piled on 34 shots and 2.27 xG. Chelsea drop to sixth as they let a golden opportunity slip.

Liverpool 2–1 West Ham United

Liverpool bounced back from last week’s shock defeat, but not without late drama. Diaz opened the scoring with a cool finish from Salah’s trivela assist, and it looked like smooth sailing until a miscommunication between Andy Robertson and Van Dijk led to Van Dijk clearing the ball into his own net. But the captain made amends almost instantly, heading in the winner from Mac Allister’s corner to keep Liverpool 13 points clear atop the table.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 4–2 Tottenham Hotspur

Wolves stormed ahead early with goals from Ait-Nouri and a Spence own goal. Tel and Richarlison responded for Spurs, but Larsen punished a Romero error for 3–1, and Cunha iced it late just seconds after Richarlison’s strike for the 4–2 result. Wolves racked up 2.39 xG and now sit just two points off Tottenham, who’ve lost three of their last four games.

Newcastle United 4–1 Manchester United

Newcastle completed the double over United in emphatic style. Tonali volleyed in the opener, but Garnacho equalized just before halftime to keep things tense. That didn’t last long as Barnes scored twice in five minutes to break it open, and Guimaraes capitalized on an Altay Bayindir mistake to add a fourth. United were sloppy, lifeless, and outplayed again as they slipped further into mid-table mediocrity with three straight games without a win in the league.

AFC Bournemouth 1–0 Fulham

Bournemouth climbed above Fulham with a gritty win at the Vitality. Semenyo struck in the opening minute after Scott’s smart pass, and the Cherries held firm from there. Kepa started in goal and delivered when called upon, while Fulham’s attack never quite clicked. The visitors edged the possession battle with 59 percent and also had their own share of opportunities with 1.07 xG generated but couldn’t break through as Bournemouth returned to the top eight.

EPL 2024-25: Matchweek 33 Preview

SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 2025

Brentford vs Brighton & Hove Albion – 10:00 AM EST

Brighton’s European hopes are hanging by a thread after a four-game winless run, and their confidence took another hit when they let Leicester end their scoring drought in a 2-2 draw. Brentford, meanwhile, are winless in their last three, but they did show grit to draw at the Emirates last time out. With both sides sitting mid-table and struggling for consistency, this feels like a toss-up. Brentford’s home form has dipped, while Brighton haven’t won in a month. A tightly contested draw feels right.

Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Brighton

Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth – 10:00 AM EST

Palace were embarrassed by Manchester City after going up 2-0 and Newcastle in back-to-back away games, but they’ve been much better at Selhurst Park, where they’re on a three-game winning streak. Bournemouth finally snapped a six-game winless run with a 1-0 win over Fulham and climbed back into the top eight, but the performance still lacked conviction. Recent meetings between these sides have been low-scoring, and that trend could continue — but at home, Palace look strong enough to edge it.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Bournemouth

Everton vs Manchester City – 10:00 AM EST

Everton have quietly turned Goodison Park into a fortress, going unbeaten in their last six home matches, including results against Liverpool and Arsenal, and snatching a late win over Forest last week. City, on the other hand, have been inconsistent despite a dominant 5-2 comeback against Palace. They’re still clinging to fifth in the table and need to win to hold off the pack. Moyes’ men won’t make it easy, but De Bruyne’s return to form and City’s firepower should make the difference late.

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Manchester City

West Ham United vs Southampton – 10:00 AM EST

The Hammers may be safe from relegation, but their form suggests otherwise as they are winless in five and uninspired in attack. Southampton, already relegated, are still chasing pride and the chance to avoid ending the season below Derby’s infamous record. While West Ham should take care of business at home, the Saints may play with more freedom now that the pressure’s off. That said, it’s hard to back them on the road.

Prediction: West Ham United 2-0 Southampton

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United – 12:30 PM EST

This might be the most important match of the weekend. Newcastle are the hottest team in the league, riding a five-match winning streak and scoring for fun. Villa just bowed out of Europe but are unbeaten in 18 straight home games and remain in the hunt for a top-four finish. The hosts will have a point to prove, but Newcastle’s form is hard to ignore. I expect fireworks in a matchup that could shape the Champions League picture.

Prediction: Aston Villa 2-2 Newcastle United

SUNDAY, APRIL 20, 2025

Fulham vs Chelsea – 9:00 AM EST

Chelsea’s draw with Ipswich, their second failed attempt to beat the relegation battlers, may have dealt a fatal blow to their Champions League hopes. They’ve now gone eight straight without an away win. Fulham, meanwhile, remain wildly inconsistent, trading wins and losses each week, but have shown they can go toe-to-toe with anyone at home. With both sides struggling to string results together, this one feels destined to end all square.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Fulham

Ipswich Town vs Arsenal – 9:00 AM EST

Arsenal’s title hopes are all but gone, but they’ll want to bounce back after a stretch of four draws in six league matches and coming off a Champions League effort in which they eliminated Real Madrid. Ipswich have shown signs of life with four points from their last three, including a strong showing at Stamford Bridge, but they still look set for the drop. This is exactly the kind of game Arsenal need to control and see out, especially with Newcastle breathing down their necks.

Prediction: Ipswich Town 1-3 Arsenal

Manchester United vs Wolverhampton Wanderers – 9:00 AM EST

United are a mess — winless in four across all competitions, fresh off a 4-1 embarrassment from Newcastle, and sinking in the table. Wolves, meanwhile, are unbeaten in five and playing with confidence, having already beaten Spurs, Ipswich, West Ham, and Southampton in that stretch. If they win here, they could leapfrog United in the standings. It’s hard to see the hosts putting up much resistance.

Prediction: Manchester United 1-2 Wolves

Leicester City vs Liverpool – 11:30 AM EST

Leicester finally scored, and even took a point off Brighton, but they remain 19th and on the verge of confirmed relegation. Liverpool, on the other hand, are two wins away from clinching the title after edging West Ham last weekend. With the Foxes needing a miracle to survive, I expect the Reds to show no mercy.

Prediction: Leicester City 0-3 Liverpool

MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest – 3:00 PM EST

Forest have slipped to fourth after back-to-back losses and are in danger of falling even further with City, Villa, and Newcastle right behind them. Spurs, plagued by injuries and inconsistency, are coming off a damaging loss to Wolves. With the pressure on both sides for different reasons, Forest’s hunger and Nuno’s return to North London might just tilt it their way.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2-3 Nottingham Forest