English Premier League Week 31 Predictions

As we head into Week 31 of Barclays Premier League football action, there are three clubs fighting it out for the league title, but just which club will be holding the trophy at the end of the season remains to be seen. This weekend will give us more insight into who will likely be crowned champion at the end of the season and it will also tell us what sort of teams we can expect to see in the second division next season as few squads are still on the relegation bubble. Manchester United has a one-point advantage over second place Chelsea as the Blues cling to a one-point lead over third place Arsenal. My pick for match of the week has to be Arsenal at Birmingham City. Here I take a look at the matches for the top three clubs, giving you insight on making your EPL soccer wager a winner.

Chelsea: -250
Draw: +340
Aston Villa: +625

No. 2 Chelsea dropped to second on the league table despite a commanding 5-0-victory midweek over bottom side Portsmouth. It appears that Chelsea are back in control of their Premier League aspirations and now have the chance to regain their place at the top of the table with victory over No.7 Aston Villa who has drawn in their last two matches. Sitting more than a point behind Manchester United could be costly by Week 38, so the Pensioners can’t afford to drop any more points, especially at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack will return to the lineup after recovery from an Achilles injury and keeper Hilario is also fit again from his groin strain. The Blues will be without Michael Essien, Ashley Cole, Ricardo Carvalho, and Jose Bosingwa. Aston Villa’s hopes for a Premiere League title are slowly fading as the season’s end draws closer. While they haven’t lost any of their last six matches — taking away eight points from a possible 12 on the road in recent weeks, they have drawn seven of their last 10 league games and are badly in need of three points to stay in the race for a fourth-place finish. Aston Villa will be without central defender Richard Dunne, midfielder James Milner and strikers Emile Heskey and Gabriel Agbonlahor. Villa has already beaten Chelsea once this season – winning 2-1 at Villa Park in October. I expect a hard fought contest with Chelsea winning to take three points.

Birmingham City: +525
Draw: +310
Arsenal: -208

Don’t let Birmingham City’s ninth spot on the league table fool you. They have been one of the best newly promoted clubs in recent League history. Sitting comfortably in the top half of the table is no easy task for most teams, let alone one that was competing in the Championship last season. No. 3 Arsenal will have their work cut out for them this weekend as they try to make up ground on title rivals Manchester United and Chelsea with at visit to Saint Andrews. City will be happy to be home after suffering a pair of losses in the past two weeks, as they have made winning at St. Andrews difficult for other clubs. The Blues will be without Garry O’Connor and Lee Carsley and defender David Murphy. Murphy had been stepping up his comeback but has missed City’s last two reserve games to check his progress, and will likely be scratched from this weekends match. After falling out of the number one spot a little over a month ago, Arsenal have come out of nowhere with a run of six successive league victories. With only two points separating the top three sides, but Arsenal with an inferior goal difference, the squad seems poised to once again be a serious contender for winning the league. Boss Arsene Wenger, has the experience only a two-time Premier League winning manager can possess and knows there can be no room for error or failing to focus on the job at hand. Arsenal will be without suspended defender Thomas Vermaelen. The Gunners are clear favorites to win this one, but don’t write offer Birmingham City on their home turf. I expect Arsenal to get the edge late in the match to walk away with a much-needed three points.

Bolton Wanderers: +625
Draw: +340
Manchester United: -250

League leader Manchester United will travel to Reebok Stadium looking to stretch their lead at the top of the pile with a local derby win over the No. 14 Bolton Wanderers who appear safe from first glance. But the Wanderers have netted three wins in their last five matches and have just gotten themselves clear of any potential relegation woes. Head coach Owen Coyle will again be without several players, including Gretar Steinsson through suspension following his dismissal in the 2-0 defeat at Everton last Saturday. However, there is a spot of good news as Bolton defender Gary Cahill is poised to return from a two-month lay-off after fully recovering from a blood clot that forced him to undergo surgery to remove a section of a rib. Manchester United can’t afford any slip-ups against clubs like Bolton. This should be a simple three-pointer for Sir Alex Ferguson, but we all saw what the Wanderers did to Wigan last time they played at the Reebok. Wayne Rooney insists he has no injury problems and is in the form of his career. Rooney had a knee injury earlier this month and looked to be limping heavily as he left Old Trafford following Sunday’s win over Liverpool. This should be a rather pedestrian win for the Red Devils and an easy way to pick up three points.

ManU will play Chelsea – who trail them by a point – next weekend while Arsenal, who are a further point behind, do not have to face either of their title rivals.

My other picks for the week are Fulham over Hull City, the Hotspur over Portsmouth, West Ham drawing with Stoke City, Everton over Wolverhampton, and Burnley over Blackburn, and Liverpool over Sunderland, and Manchester City over Wigan Athletic.