There’s a certain point in every Premier League season where the noise fades, and things start getting very real – Matchweek 32 is that exact point.

No more “plenty of time left.” No more experimenting. Every team now knows exactly what they are – title contender, European chaser, or nervously looking over their shoulders.

When the stakes get this high, performances tend to follow patterns. The good sides get ruthless. The ones who have failed to deal with the pressure all season? They go into hiding
That’s where the value is.

So rather than overcomplicating things, I’m leaning into form, mentality, and a bit of good old-fashioned common sense.

Let’s get into it

Nottingham Forest vs Aston Villa

Sunday, 12 April (9:00 ET/ 14:00 GMT)

Aston Villa to win

This has all the ingredients of a tricky away day… but also all the signs of a Villa win.

Yes, there are the usual caveats – fatigue, travel, Forest have found a bit of form – but let’s not pretend these two sides are operating on the same level.

Aston Villa are still very much in the upper-tier conversation this season, while Forest are scrapping for consistency and survival.

Nottingham Forest have drastically improved in their last few games, but it was hard to get much worse. Villa have had a superb season, and whilst they have fallen off a little bit, they will want to bounce back and end the season strongly and secure that top four spot.

Even if Forest makes this messy, I still back Villa to have enough quality to get the job done.

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soccer_game_team_win_no_bet_draw/595906″ size=”100%x250″ style=”classic” site_id=”eplbets”]

Sunderland vs Tottenham

Sunday, 12 April (9:00 ET/ 14:00 GMT)

Sunderland to win

This is the interesting pick.

Tottenham face the real possibility of being in the Championship next season, and I feel like if they do somehow stay up, it won’t be because they suddenly turn good, more so that three teams are simply worse.

They just faced Nottingham Forest, who are in a similar position and were embarrassed 3-0, not ideal.

To make matters worse, they travel to one of the toughest away grounds in the Premier League this season, the Stadium of Light.

Sunderland have been superb at home all season, and with multiple key players returning from injury, and Regis Le Bris’ side on a high following yet another derby victory, this could be a long day for Spurs.

If Sunderland get the first goal (and the crowd gets going), you can already picture the Spurs’ body language. Heads drop, passes go sideways, and suddenly it’s yet another one of those afternoons.

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soccer_game_team_win_no_bet_draw/595907″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”eplbets”]

Chelsea vs Man City

Sunday, 12 April (11:30 ET/ 16:30 GMT)

Man City to win

This is the headline act, and honestly, it’s hard to look past Manchester City.

Chelsea are…fine. Competitive. Occasionally dangerous. But when they step up into games like this, the gap in control and consistency becomes obvious.

Add into the mix that City are in the hunt for the title – as always – and will want to stay as close to Arsenal as possible in the event of a slip-up.

Chelsea might have spells. They might even score. But over 90 minutes, City’s structure and ruthlessness usually win out.

[metabet_core_side_odds_tile query=”soccer_game_team_win_no_bet_draw/595902″ size=”100%x250″ site_id=”eplbets”]

READ NEXT: Five early picks and predictions for World Cup 2026

18+ Please play responsibly. This content is informational, not financial advice.