This Time Next Year - Mid-Week Preview | 1st, 2nd & 3rd April 2025

This Time Next Year.. Mid-Week Preview | 1st, 2nd & 3rd April 2025

By Aaron Byrne April 1, 2025 #ThisTimeNextYear

Welcome back to the midweek preview after the international break. We have a full rota of exciting premier league matches for you and some interesting tips and selections you could choose to back.

Arsenal vs Fulham

Arsenal's form on paper makes very good reading for their fans; losing only 1 of their last 6. However, this only masks some sub-par attacking performances with poor draws against Man United and PSV. Fortunately, their defence looks as strong as ever.

Fulham's form of late can only be described as turbulent, with good wins over Spurs and Wolves, sandwiched between dreadful home capitulations vs Palace in the league and cup. This away match against Arsenal could solely depend on what the Fulham side decides to turn up on the day.

This match could be a very close run thing, with neither team showing consistent dominant form of late. With this in mind the match could definitely come down to set pieces, an area where Arsenal and Rice definitely excel.

Wolves vs West Ham United

In the last 6 matches Wolves' form has been the definition of solid, with 2 wins, draws and losses apiece. The mid-season manager change has definitely benefited the side, and currently at least it seems they could have fought their way out of danger of the drop.

Over the last few matches West Ham have been the all or nothing team, seemingly forgoing draws for a single "we win or we lose" outcome. Losses to struggling Chelsea and solid Brentford, we're followed up with nice wins over both Arsenal and Leicester respectively.

With Wolves recent good form it is very hard to see them getting beaten at home in this match. The current ongoing ban of Cunha could have an impact on the final outcome, but who will stand up in his stead?

With West Ham's gung ho mentality of late, it's hard to see them keeping a clean sheet, however with the attacking quality of Bowen and Kudus they can always cause trouble of their own. For these reasons both teams to score seems a very solid bet.

Nottingham Forest vs Man United

Forest have had a fantastic season in both league and cup, but of late the wins have dried up slightly being replaced with draws. Without knowing the fitness and availability of Wood in attack, this could easily be another draw for the home side.

Man United's season as a whole can be seen as deeply disappointing, but looking at their last 6 outings there has definitely been signs of improvement. No losses within this period, and 3 wins has impacted the thought process here.

This tip is purely based on the impressive recent attacking form of the Swedish International, but a good alternative could have been Fernandes to replicate at odds of 11/8. Both bets are considered very good value from where we stand.

The outcome could as always go in either direction, with both teams having good recent wins. But for exactly this reason a draw is probable, with both teams cancelling eachother out.

Bournemouth vs Ipswich

Bournemouth have been one of the surprise packages this season, playing great football in both victory and defeat. It has been the latter of late with no wins in their last 6, while amassing 4 losses even if they played well.

Ipswich throughout the season have simply looked like a Championship team above their station. Their recent form shows very little improvement with 4 losses and 2 draws in their last 6 matches. Even the individual qualities of Delap, Hutchinson and Palmer cannot drag the rest of the Ipswich side into winning performances.

The Cherries new boy has been extremely effective in attack this season after his move from Porto. And the odds on him being involved in a goal this game is tremendous value.

Although Bournemouth have had a recent poor return on their performances, it's hard to look past anything other than a home win. Ipswich however do have a fantastic shot stopper in Palmer. This could definitely impact on the amount Bournemouth win by, but Bournemouth to win is the only outcome in my opinion.

Brighton vs Aston Villa

The next match is arguably the match of the week. It definitely is if you are only focusing on form and not title or relegation challenges.

Brighton boast one of the best recent forms in the league, from their last 7 in all competitions they have mustered 5 wins and 2 draws. It's amazing how they seem to challenge with such a paultry budget.

Villa are one of the only Prem teams that over the last few weeks, who can almost match their rivals on form. They can admirally show a recent form of 5 wins from 6 with 1 solitary loss to a quality Crystal Palace side.

This matches tip relies on the hope that Aston Villa will manage to get something out of the game. It has all the hallmarks of a midweek blockbuster, both teams have real possibilities of European football next season. This means both sides will be desperate for the points up for grabs. We just hope that this doesn't reveal some nervous energy, both sides have experienced players to overcome that possible issue.

Manchester City vs Leicester

Next we go to the Etihad where we could have the most one sided match of the week. Man City have found some form of late with a respectable 4 wins from their last 6 matches, it seems they have finally found a formula to cope without Rodri.

Leicester on the other hand, literally couldn't have had a worse few weeks if they tried. They seem to be plummeting head first back to the Championship losing their last 6 on the spin, barely scoring during that period too.

The rumours floating around are that Haaland isn't fully fit. That possibly being the case Marmoush to either score or assist at that price is fantastic odds, even better if he plays the full 90.

We have all seen, heard of and even lost money on "those matches" that just shouldn't happen. But when it comes to this match it's nearly impossible to see Leicester doing anything other than losing, and more than likely by a few.

Newcastle United vs Brentford

Newcastle's recent form has been average for a team that hope to play Champions league football next season. Including their fantastic cup win they have still only won 3 of their last 6 matches, losing the other 3.

Brentford can also be disappointed by producing a near mirror image set of results to their midweek opponents. They can also offer 3 wins from their last 6 matches, losing 2 rather than 3.

Both teams have fantastic attacking talent and can both score goals for fun when they are on form, so the odds on both teams to score is slightly lower but still a very attractive betting price.

Newcastle are still buzzing from their first trophy with in 7 decades. This can mean a number of possibilities; they could still be on cloud nice after their victory and in an euphoric mood right over Brentford.

They could also still be slightly hungover (from exhaustion ofcourse) and lacking 100% concentration. This could easily see Brentford who are the best away team in the Prem right now take full advantage. I feel this could be a fantastic match with plenty of goals, but ultimately a stalemate, a content point for both sides.

Southampton vs Crystal Palace

Southampton have had a torrid season thus far and you can't blame the players for wishing it would just be over and done with. Losing their last 6 matches and only scoring 3 goals in that time really doesn't bode well for this weeks match.

Crystal Palace on the other hand, are enjoying one of their best runs in possibly the last decade. The Eagles have won their last 6 matches which even includes a laughable international break friendly match against the formidable Hamkam from Norway.

This could be a very one sided affair with all arrows pointing to a very comfortable away win. Southamptons players to their credit haven't just "downed tools" they do continue to fight and create chances however few and far between. A goal could easily be fashioned but this would be the extent of their hopes. A very comfortable away win is the only outcome.

Liverpool vs Everton

A midweek grudge match of almost pure hatred is surely what we all look forward to?

Liverpool have definitely had a significant wobble of late, being knocked out of the Champions league and losing the Carabao Cup final in a short space of time. However, they can still boast a respectful 4 wins from their last 6 in all competitions.

Everton have a very respectable return from their last 6 matches also, but it seems they have become draw specialists with 5 draws and a win from those matches.

For all those who watched the PSD and Newcastle matches, you would have seen Mo Salah being uncharacteristically quiet for both of those matches. Something that he will surely want to rectify as soon as possible.

The old addage of the cream always rises to the top applies here perfectly for me. I can see Liverpool turning up in a big way to stamp out those cobwebs. To lay down the marker that, the wobble was only temporary and the league title is theirs this year.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

Within the last 6 matches Chelsea have recorded a seemingly impressive 4 wins. However, looking deeper into those victories, sees two league wins against bottom three sides and 2 wins against FC Copenhagen, hardly impressive.

Tottenham have had a very poor recent form, only winning 2 of their last 6 matches. Those wins were also against very poor opponents so their overall form really isn't anything to write home about.

The one hope with this match, is the potential spice added by the "London derby" title of the tie. Tottenham have very little apart from bragging right to play for. However, Chelsea somehow do have the possible dreams of Champions league football to cling too.

Over the years, we have seen many great matches between these two teams. Unfortunately, neither team seem to be in the sort of form that could make this a must watch. The desperate need of a win means for us Chelsea could just fall over the winning line. Maybe the returning Palmer will make the much needed difference.