Premier League: Can Villa and Chelsea nail down Champions League places?
- James M Buttler
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
James Buttler looks at the best betting tips for Friday evening's matches in the Premier League as the race for Europe reaches its climax.
Aston Villa v Tottenham
Aston Villa have a golden chance to secure a top-four finish as they face a Tottenham side likely to rotate ahead of their UEFA Europa League final. Unai Emery’s men are the Premier League’s form team, winning eight of their last ten league matches (L2). Crucially, Villa are unbeaten in 17 straight home games (W10, D7) since August, showcasing remarkable consistency at Villa Park.
Tottenham, by contrast, are enduring a torrid domestic campaign. Sitting 17th and already with a record-breaking 20 Premier League losses, Spurs could equal their all-time record for league defeats if they lose their final two games. Their form against top opposition has been dire, losing 11 of 13 against the current top seven, including four defeats in their last five away trips.
Villa’s attacking threat, led by Ollie Watkins—who’s scored the opening goal in four of the last eight league matches—will test a leaky Spurs defense. Meanwhile, Mathys Tel offers a second-half spark for Tottenham, with all his goals coming after the break.
Let’s go Villa to win, over 2.5 match goals and Ollie Watkins to score anytime, which is a combined 2.62/1.
Chelsea v Manchester United
With Champions League qualification still in sight, Chelsea will be eager to bounce back from their recent 2-0 loss to Newcastle as they host an out-of-sorts Manchester United. The Blues remain in the top five and are unbeaten at Stamford Bridge in 2025 (W7, D2), making this a golden opportunity to tighten their grip ahead of a tough final day clash with Nottingham Forest.
Chelsea’s last home victory over United came in dramatic fashion last season—a 4-3 thriller—but it was also their first since 2017. However, the timing may be right to break that poor H2H run further. Manchester United are winless in seven straight league matches (D2, L5), their worst run in over a decade, and morale is low. With a Europa League final looming, Ruben Amorim may again rest key players, as seen in their 4-3 defeat to Brentford.
United have won just three of their last 22 away league games in London and conceded heavily late in matches with over half of their 21 away goals this season have come after the 75th minute.
I’m playing a Chelsea win, Both teams to score and the second half to have the most goals at a combined 3.89/1.
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