Premier League Matchday 31 Preview: Villa face stiff Newcastle test

The 2022/23 Premier League season continues apace this weekend with yet another intriguing set of fixtures scheduled to take place.

While the title race between Arsenal and Manchester City will dominate the headlines, there are plenty of other issues worth keeping an eye on.

Read on as we take a look at the standout games on Matchday 31 and assess some of the key betting angles to consider.

Aston Villa have improved massively since Unai Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as manager and are firmly in contention to qualify for Europe.

They head into this weekend’s home against Newcastle United sixth in the table and will be eager to extend their recent unbeaten run to eight games.

However, they face a Newcastle side that have rattled off five successive wins to strengthen their grip on one of the Champions League qualification places.

Villa can still be backed at odds of 17/2 on UK betting apps to finish in the top six. A victory over the Magpies would see that price rapidly disappear.

Southampton host Crystal Palace on Saturday knowing that anything less than three points will put a huge dent in their survival hopes.

The Saints are bottom of the Premier League, four points adrift of safety with just eight games remaining this season.

Their run-in includes games against Arsenal (A), Newcastle (A), Brighton & Hove Albion (A) and Liverpool (H) – none of which will be easy.

Palace were excellent at Leeds United last weekend and plenty of punters will be willing to back them at odds of 8/5 with bwin to win at St Mary’s.

Arsenal and Manchester United both hit the road on Sunday to take on two sides who are firmly mired in the Premier League relegation battle.

The Gunners travel across London to face West Ham United and will expect to pick up three points to boost their hopes of winning the title.

United visit Nottingham Forest with their sights set on hanging onto a place in the top four and it would be a surprise if they left the City Ground empty-handed.

The best football betting sites have priced the Arsenal/Man United double at just over 6/4 and that could pay dividends for savvy bettors this weekend.