EPL Betting Picks and Game Previews for Matchday 36: English Premier League

May 9, 2025

Jamie Steed previews EPL Matchday 36 of the 2024-25 season, starting on 5/10/2025. He previews each game from the English Premier League, picking bets and providing predictions for each game.

The EPL season enters its final month. We're bringing you our weekly article, which looks at betting picks and game predictions. Matchday 36 kicks off on Saturday, May 10, with four games at 10:00 a.m. EDT. It culminates on Sunday, May 11, when Liverpool hosts Arsenal at 11:30 a.m. EDT.

Every week, we'll offer a preview of all the games. We'll predict the outcome, give a score prediction, and pick our favorite play for all fixtures. Before you read on, remember these essential things: betting on sports should be fun. If you aren't having fun with it, stop. Also, never bet what you can't afford to lose.

We're bringing you more soccer content than ever before at RotoBaller. There are FPL, UCL, and DFS articles every week, along with our weekly betting picks and game previews article, all of which can be found here. Follow the team on X (@EuanFPL, @TheFPLManual, @df_solutions, @BellRoto, and yours truly, @Baseball_Jimbo), and reach out to any of us if you ever have any soccer questions.

Matchday 35 Recap

We couldn't make it back-to-back winning weeks, with arguably our worst weekend of the season. At least, our worst day of the season. Friday's game was probably a sign of things to come. Wolves ended our 'both teams to score' parlay despite hitting the post twice, having an effort cleared off the line, and messing up an open goal.

Matheus Cunha catches out Ederson and hits the post! It's the second time Wolves have hit the woodwork!

They're pressing for the equaliser that would extend their unbeaten run to eight matches

We've got 30 minutes remaining...#MCIWOL pic.twitter.com/oEf3T2jE63

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 2, 2025

Then Saturday happened... Over our 12 picks across the four games, we got one right. Everton and Arsenal both dropped points from winning positions. And Southampton became only the second side this season to fail to score against Leicester City.

Sunday went a lot better, as we hit more picks than we missed. We also finished the matchday with a correct score in Monday's game. Unfortunately, the damage was done on Saturday, and we head into the final three weeks of the season on the back of a losing week.

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Fulham (-120) vs. Everton (+330) - 10:00 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Fulham 2 – 0 Everton

Fulham's league form has been very inconsistent. They've won seven and lost eight of their last 15 games. That's after Fulham drew nine of their first 20 games. It's been very much the opposite for Everton. The Toffees have drawn seven of their last 12 league games.

Everton's sole win in their last 10 games came at Nottingham Forest. They've taken just one point in three games since that win, and that came against Ipswich last week. We'll be backing the hosts to win and keep their hopes for European qualification alive.

Ipswich Town (+400) vs. Brentford (-165) - 10:00 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Ipswich Town 1 – 3 Brentford

Ipswich showed some fight and spirit to come from two-nil down and draw at Everton last weekend. However, it means they have just one win from their last 16 EPL matches. Last week was also the fifth consecutive game in which Ipswich conceded at least two goals.

For Brentford, they can still finish eighth and qualify for European competition next season. They've won their last three games, scoring 10 goals in the process. They risk losing key players this summer, but they should still win this fixture. We'll also play over 2.5 total goals given the Bees' attacking prowess.

"I think Bryan [Mbeumo] is likely to go. I don't know about Wissa yet. Everyone still hopes he might stay." 👀

Brentford captain Christian Norgaard says he is "pretty calm" about players potentially leaving the club in the summer 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/uh6E33iXAL

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 6, 2025

Southampton (+100) vs. Manchester City (-475) - 10:00 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Southampton 0 – 3 Manchester City

While Southampton's performances have improved slightly after their relegation was confirmed, they have only taken two points in 11 games since their last league win. Meanwhile, City have won their last four league matches and are now back in with a good chance of finishing second.

There's little value to be had in this game. Both teams not scoring does have appeal, but Southampton has scored in five of their last seven home games. We'll hedge a little and play over 2.5 total goals as City should run out comfortable winners, whether or not they keep a clean sheet.

Wolves (+185) vs. Brighton (+140) - 10:00 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Wolves 2 – 1 Brighton

Wolves' six-game winning streak was ended at Manchester City last Friday. As we mentioned in the introduction, Wolves could have easily caused an upset last week. Brighton's inconsistent form has left them in a battle for European qualification. They've lost three of their last seven games, winning one and drawing three.

Wolves have won three straight at home. I expect them to make it four. We'll also play both teams to score. Eight of Brighton's last nine games have seen a goal at both ends. This is the third time these two have met this season, with the previous encounters seeing both teams score twice.

Bournemouth (+145) vs. Aston Villa (+165) - 12:30 p.m. EDT

Score prediction: Bournemouth 2 – 2 Aston Villa

Bournemouth's five-game unbeaten run has put them in contention for European qualification. It's a similar story for Villa. They've won six of their last seven league games to keep their hopes of a top-5 finish and qualify for next season's Champions League.

Villa might need to win their remaining three games for that, but they cannot afford to lose. With so much at stake for both teams, we'll avoid playing the moneyline. Instead, we'll be taking both teams to score and at least a total of three goals in the game.

The form and fixtures for the teams chasing the Champions League places 🍿

Who do you think misses out on a top five place? pic.twitter.com/FQctiQyB7r

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 5, 2025

Villa have scored in seven of their last eight away league games. Bournemouth's kept just one clean sheet in their last six home games. Both teams have scored in the last three meetings between these two, including the 1-1 draw earlier in the season. With so much on offer for both teams, we should see goals.

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Newcastle United (+115) vs. Chelsea (+215) - 7:00 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Newcastle United 2 – 1 Chelsea

This game has huge Champions League implications. Both teams are tied on 63 points. A win for either side will put them in pole position for a top-5 finish. And both teams have been in good form. Newcastle's won six of their last eight EPL games. Chelsea's won four and drawn two of their last six.

Chelsea's talisman scoring last week might help them get over the line this season if he can maintain some form. Neither team can afford to lose, so whoever concedes first will need to go all out for a goal. That should dictate how the game goes and lead us to back both teams scoring.

Cole Palmer's first Premier League goal since January sealed @ChelseaFC's win against Liverpool!

Has he rediscovered his form at the right time to secure a top five finish? 🤔

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 5, 2025

Manchester United (+100) vs. West Ham United (+250) - 9:15 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Manchester United 1 – 1 West Ham United

Manchester United's league form has been miserable as they have focused on their Europa League campaign. They've taken just two points from their last six games. West Ham's form has been equally poor, alternating four draws with four defeats over their last eight games.

West Ham's Jarrod Bowen has been in great form, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he were a deciding factor in this game. I do expect West Ham to score, with Bowen being involved. But the Hammers have gone eight games without a clean sheet. Both teams scoring looks likely here.

Jarrod Bowen's last 5 league apps

⚽️ 🆚 Bournemouth
❌ 🆚 Liverpool
⚽️ 🆚 Southampton
🅰️🅰️ 🆚 Brighton
⚽️ 🆚 Tottenham#WHUTOT pic.twitter.com/6LQebqsAX7

— WhoScored (@WhoScored) May 4, 2025

Nottingham Forest (-280) vs. Leicester City (+700) - 9:15 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 2 – 0 Leicester City

Forest kept their Champions League hopes alive with their draw at Crystal Palace. But just four points from their last five games have left them needing to win out to guarantee themselves a top-5 finish. They should have no problem winning this game to mount their challenge.

Leicester broke their goalless streak at home last weekend. But the Foxes have still only scored in two of their last 12 matches. Forest's last five home games have produced five goals, with no more than two in any of them. We'll also play under 2.5 total goals with neither side prolific recently.

Tottenham Hotspur (+160) vs. Crystal Palace (+150) - 9:15 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

Like Manchester United, Tottenham's focus has been on the Europa League recently. Last weekend's draw ended their three-game losing streak. Palace have an FA Cup final to look forward to next weekend. It wouldn't be a surprise if both sides rested key players this weekend.

With that in mind, it's difficult to make a case for either side to win. As a result, we'll be playing for at least three goals in the game. Spurs have conceded 20 goals in their last 10 games. Palace have conceded 13 goals in their last four away games. Hopefully, those trends continue.

Liverpool (+120) vs. Arsenal (+230) - 11:30 a.m. EDT

Score prediction: Liverpool 2 – 1 Arsenal

Having already secured the title, Liverpool rotated their starting XI last weekend. We could see something similar this week, so backing them to win is risky. Arsenal gave everything in their midweek Champions League tie, ultimately falling short. That makes it difficult to back them this weekend.

Our Champions League journey ends here.

Thank you for your incredible support along the way, Gooners ❤️ pic.twitter.com/a745BVRHQQ

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 7, 2025

Because of that, we'll play both teams to score. Arsenal still needs six points from their remaining three games to secure second place. They can't afford to rest key players. While I expect them to score, they may not have enough in their legs to win this game, so we'll avoid any moneyline plays.

Betting Picks

The table below gives the odds for each game's three main plays (moneyline, total goals, and both teams to score). My favorite pick from each game is highlighted if you want to build a parlay (which I will be playing and tracking). Good luck with those FPL teams and EPL bets. Remember to bet responsibly!

More Betting and DFS Picks