EPL Weekly Wrap | All the Headlines - Gameweek 37

Gameweek 37 had a bit of everything. Aston Villa tore Liverpool apart on Friday night, and Manchester United sealed third amid another VAR controversy. Then, West Ham’s defeat at Newcastle has left them staring down the barrel with two games to go. 

If you’re big on football betting this season, the final day is going to be nerve-wracking. Here’s a breakdown of all the Premier League news you may have missed.

Aston Villa’s 4-2 demolition of Liverpool at Villa Park on Friday was the result of the season. I thought Liverpool would fancy their chances given both sides went in level on 59 points, but Villa were a different class after the break.

Morgan Rogers opened the scoring in the 42nd minute before Virgil van Dijk levelled with a header early in the second half. That’s where it stopped going Liverpool’s way. Ollie Watkins scored twice, in the 57th and 73rd minutes, before John McGinn curled in a stunning fourth from distance in the 89th. Van Dijk grabbed a consolation in added time, but it changed nothing. 

Villa are fourth on 62 points and head to Istanbul for Wednesday’s Europa League final against Freiburg with nothing left to prove domestically.

Liverpool have taken one point from their last nine available. I wouldn’t want to be backing them right now, and they could still miss out on the top five with Bournemouth and Brighton both within striking distance.

At the top, Arsenal’s lead is two points after Manchester City’s 3-0 midweek win over Crystal Palace closed the gap. Leandro Trossard’s 83rd-minute winner at West Ham the previous Sunday had briefly put the Gunners five clear, but that advantage was short-lived. Two games left for each side.

Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a chaotic final home game of the season. Luke Shaw scored inside five minutes to break a drought stretching back to January 2023, and United looked comfortable until Morato headed in Elliot Anderson’s cross just after half-time to level it.

Bryan Mbeumo appeared to control the ball with his arm before having a shot blocked, and Matheus Cunha tucked away the rebound. VAR advised the referee to review it, but the goal stood. 

I can see why Forest were furious. 

Bruno Fernandes then provided his 20th assist of the season to tee up Mbeumo for the winner in the 76th minute, equalling the all-time Premier League record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back two minutes later to set up a frantic finish, but United held on. Fernandes has one game at Brighton to claim the record outright.

Michael Carrick has signed a permanent deal through to 2028. Given what he’s done since January, including Champions League qualification, I think he’s earned it. Casemiro said goodbye to Old Trafford in his final home appearance.

Chelsea confirmed Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a four-year deal starting July. He’s the sixth permanent appointment under BlueCo ownership. I’m curious whether this one sticks.

Newcastle put three past West Ham at St James’ Park. Nick Woltemade gave the Magpies the lead in the 15th minute, Will Osula doubled it four minutes later, and Osula completed his brace in the 65th. Valentin Castellanos pulled one back with a spectacular finish in the 69th, but it was too late.

West Ham will be relegated on Wednesday if Tottenham avoid defeat at Chelsea. Even if Tottenham lose, the Hammers need to beat Leeds at home on the final day and hope Tottenham lose to Everton, all while overcoming a 13-goal gap in goal difference. 

For anyone using the best betting sites in NZ to follow the relegation markets, Wednesday’s Chelsea vs Tottenham at 7:15am NZT is the one.

Sunderland’s second-half comeback at Everton has pushed them into the Conference League conversation. Brian Brobbey and Enzo Le Fee scored after going down to a deflected Merlin Rohl strike, with Wilson Isidor adding a third in stoppage time. I didn’t have Sunderland challenging for Europe at the start of the season, but they’re ninth on 51 points and only two off seventh.

For NZ-based punters tuning into the remaining Gameweek 37 fixtures, Arsenal host Burnley on Tuesday at 7:00am NZT. Wednesday brings Chelsea vs Tottenham at 7:15am NZT and Bournemouth vs Manchester City at 6:30am NZT. 

If you’re exploring live betting sites for the final stretch, it doesn’t get bigger.