Premier League Week 31 Fixtures: EPL Picks and Predictions for Matchday 31
The Premier League returns this weekend after a brief break for international football, and league-leaders Chelsea will be looking to pick up another three points as they home in on the title.
The Blues host Stoke in Week 31 while Liverpool have a crucial trip to Arsenal, a must-win game for the Reds as they look to keep their top four hopes alive.
Manchester United gave their Champions League ambitions a boost in Week 30 with a victory over Liverpool and will be confident of keeping their winning momentum going at home to Aston Villa.
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Here are the weekend's full fixtures, with kick-off times and predictions for each encounter:
| Date | Time (BST/ET) | Fixture | Prediction |
| April 4 | 12:45 p.m./7:45 a.m. | Arsenal vs. Liverpool | 1-1 |
| April 4 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Everton vs. Southampton | 1-1 |
| April 4 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Leicester City vs. West Ham | 1-2 |
| April 4 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester United vs. Aston Villa | 2-0 |
| April 4 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Hull City | 3-1 |
| April 4 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Brom vs. QPR | 1-0 |
| April 4 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Chelsea vs. Stoke City | 2-0 |
| April 5 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Burnley vs. Tottenham | 1-3 |
| April 5 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Newcastle | 1-2 |
| April 6 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Manchester City | 1-2 |
Arsenal vs. Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers' side were stopped in their tracks last time out as they lost 2-1 to United at Anfield, a first league defeat since December.
As a result, they remain in fifth place in the Premier League table, but five points behind Louis van Gaal's men in the last Champions League spot, with Arsenal a further point clear of the Red Devils.
A defeat to the Gunners at the Emirates this weekend would effectively end Liverpool's bid to qualify for Europe's top competition next season, especially with United likely to beat Villa at home.
Liverpool face a tough task against an Arsenal side who have won their last six on the bounce in the league, and are pursuing a second-placed league finish—they sit just one point back from Manchester City.
Arsene Wenger will no doubt have learnt from United's success last time out, when Van Gaal's side dominated Liverpool in possession and starved them of any creativity going forward.
Home advantage should play into Arsenal's hands, as will the fact that Liverpool have a number of absentees, including suspended pair Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard, per Squawka:
Daniel Sturridge is also a doubt, meaning Raheem Sterling will likely start up front for the Reds against Arsenal, perhaps giving the England international a chance to influence the game more after going missing in a wing-back role against United.
The 20-year-old star will have a vital role to play against Arsenal as his pace and movement will surely cause the likes of Per Mertesacker problems in the Arsenal defence.
Wenger will be looking to keep up the pressure on City by picking up three points in north London on Saturday, and Arsenal's form is encouraging.
As is the form of striker Olivier Giroud with the Frenchman scoring six goals in his last five league appearances, and he is now giving Alexis Sanchez a run for his money as Arsenal's most valuable player, per B/R UK's James McNicholas:
The two sides are fairly evenly matched but Arsenal look to have the edge going into the weekend's clash, especially given Liverpool's injury and suspension problems.
The reverse fixture back in December ended 2-2 courtesy of Skrtel's stoppage-time equaliser, and with the stakes very high for both clubs, similar drama could be on the cards again.
Prediction: 1-1
Sunderland vs. Newcastle
Newcastle have a rotten recent record in Tyne-Wear derbies having lost the last four and failed to beat their old rivals since August 2011.
Sunderland have been struggling in recent seasons, but have consistently managed to overcome the Magpies, and desperately need to do so again at the Stadium of Light on Sunday.
The Black Cats currently sit just one point above the relegation zone after one win in 13 in the league, and look primed for the drop, per Betfair's Andy Brassell:
New boss Dick Advocaat was unable to provide a new-manager bounce as he lost his first match in charge to West Ham last time out, although a coincidental historic precedent could bode well ahead of Sunday's clash.
Advocaat's immediate predecessors—Paolo Di Canio and Gus Poyet—both lost their opening games in charge, ahead of victory against Newcastle in their respective second matches.
Newcastle certainly do not pose a significant threat as they have lost four of their last five matches, and their mid-table league position—safety is all but guaranteed—could work in the Black Cats' favour.
However, any lack of motivation in a north-east derby seems highly unlikely, and John Carver's side look to just have the edge in terms of quality.
Sunderland struggle significantly in front of goal—their season tally of 23 is the second fewest in the league—and this may well prove the difference at the Stadium of Light.
Prediction: 1-2
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