Arsenal's immaculate season continues, both on the domestic front and on the European stage in the Champions League. The London-based club punched its ticket to the UCL quarterfinals during the midweek action, and they also hold a nine-point edge over second-place Manchester City in the Premier League. They're -1000 to secure the EPL title heading into Matchday 31.
It's an abbreviated Matchday 31 slate this weekend, as teams prepare to head into International Break. Including Friday's Bournemouth vs. Manchester United clash, there are eight matches on the Premier League docket. Below, I'll dive into three of those games from a sports betting angle and provide you with my top weekend wagers on the pitch.
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Premier League Matchday 31 Odds, Picks & Predictions (2026)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Everton (+245) vs. Chelsea (+115), DRAW (+245) | 2.5 (-125/+100)
Chelsea (13-9-8, 48 points) are seeing their hopes at European play next season slip away, as they've slid to sixth place in the table. They're roughly a pick 'em to beat eighth-place Everton (12-7-11, 43 points) this weekend and secure three points. Kick-off is scheduled for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET from Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
I really have no interest in backing Chelsea in this spot. The Blues have been struggling quite a bit recently, going just 3-2-4 across their last nine matches in all competitions. In the EPL specifically, Liam Rosenior's squad is on a 1-2-2 run in their last five outings. Going on the road to take on Everton isn't exactly an easy task, as the Toffees are one of those clubs that seemingly always put up a decent fight.
The Liverpool-based squad has gone a respectable 5-4-6 at home this season, meaning they've picked up at least a point in 60% of their matches. The visiting Blues have won only seven of their 15 away fixtures (7-4-4). Factor in that the Toffees have either won or tied 10 of the last 16 head-to-head meetings (5-5-6), including going 5-2-1 against Chelsea in their last eight at home, and I think they're primed to put up a fight. Give me Everton +0.5 goals.
Bet: Everton +0.5 (-140)
Aston Villa (-105) vs. West Ham United (+285), DRAW (+265) | 2.5 (-120/-115)
Like the aforementioned Chelsea, Aston Villa (15-6-9, 51 points) has not been playing its best soccer recently. They've lost three straight league games, but still hold onto a coveted top-four spot in the table. Up next is West Ham United (7-8-15, 29 points) on Sunday, and this match gets underway at 10:15 a.m. ET from Villa Park in Birmingham.
I posted in a Premier League article roughly a month ago that Aston Villa is a team that I'm almost always willing to take in a pick 'em spot at home. The Villans have been solid at home this season, going 9-2-4 with a +6 goal differential (21:15). I understand that they've dropped three straight Premier League games, but how can we pass up playing Aston Villa at coin flip odds against relegation-bound West Ham United?
The Irons have been on an upward trend, but there's no denying that this is still one of the worst teams in the league. West Ham ranks 19th in goals allowed (55) and shots on target allowed per 90 minutes (5.33). With their home crowd behind them, Aston Villa should have no issues out-pacing West Ham and their penetrable defense.
Bet: Aston Villa Moneyline (-105)
Tottenham Hotspur (+130) vs. Nottingham Forest (+220), DRAW (+240) | 2.5 (-115/-110)
This matchup between Tottenham (7-9-14, 30 points) and Nottingham Forest (7-8-15, 29 points) is a massive clash on Sunday morning. The teams are both barely clear of the relegation line, sitting 16th and 17th in the standings. Kick-off for Sunday's match is set for 10:15 a.m. ET from Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
I'll be on the over in this contest, as it features two bottom-tier defenses squaring off. Tottenham ranks 16th in goals conceded (47) and 14th in SoT/90 allowed (4.27), while Aston Villa are 14th (43) and 11th (4.13) in those respective categories. They've each logged clean sheets in just 23.3% of their games, so the goals have been plentiful when these clubs take the pitch.
Furthermore, the last three meetings between the teams in London have all seen at least three goals. In terms of recent form, Tottenham has had 3+ combined goals in six of its last seven matches in all competitions. As for Forest, their defense has struggled away from home, conceding 24 goals in 15 matches. This feels like a 2-1 game in favor of Tottenham, but I won't be surprised if it ends in the 2-2 or 3-1 range. Let's take the over.
Bet: Over 2.5 Goals (-115)
