Premier League Matchweek 31 Best Bets - March 21/22

Best bets and insight for the 31st matchweek of the 2025/26 Premier League season as the battle at the top and bottom of the table heats up.

Brighton were able to bounce back from a 1-0 loss to Arsenal with a battling 1-0 win over Sunderland in their last outing. This win dragged Brighton onto 40 points following 10 wins, 10 draws and 10 defeats. At home, Brighton have managed to win six of their 15 games, drawing six matches and losing three times, with the side looking strong. With three wins in their last four league games, Brighton have been good, and I predict they will frustrate the Reds this weekend. 

For Liverpool, this is a big test of their top four credentials. Currently sitting in fifth in the standings with 49 points, a two-game winless run means they have missed the chance to take advantage of Aston Villa's three-game losing run. Worrying for the Reds is their less-than-stellar away record, with the side losing six of their 15 matches on the road. While the travelling side did hammer Galatasaray 4-0 in the Champions League in midweek, two of their last three away games in all competitions have ended in defeat. With this in mind, I do not back the Reds to take all three points in another frustrating away game. 

Newcastle are looking for a big reaction after they were humiliated in a 7-2 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League in midweek. Defeat in midweek means they have now won just one of their last four across competitions, with their last two home games ending in a defeat to Manchester City and a draw with Barcelona. Three defeats have come in their last four home league games, and I predict more woes for the Magpies this weekend. Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by their arch-rivals in the reverse of this fixture, and I predict that the Magpies will have to go a full season without beating their opponents. 

Sunderland have been outstanding this season by picking up 40 points and moving 11 points clear of the relegation zone with just eight games to be played. While they are not mathematically safe yet, they will feel they have done enough to secure their place in the competition for next season. In their last three, Sunderland have drawn once, lost once and won once. Interestingly, Sunderland's two positive results in this time have come on the road against Bournemouth (1-1) and Leeds (1-0). With the travelling side good on the road of late, I am backing Sunderland to add to Newcastle's tough week as they head home with a point.