Premier League Matchday 35 Preview: Aston Villa vs Fulham and Arsenal vs Bournemouth – Predictions, Stats, and Head-to-Head Analysis

The Premier League’s Matchday 35 brings two intriguing clashes on Saturday, May 3, 2025, as Aston Villa host Fulham at Villa Park and Arsenal face Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium. With the race for European spots heating up and mid-table battles intensifying, these matches promise drama, goals, and tactical intrigue. Below, we dive into detailed predictions, key statistics, head-to-head (H2H) records, and betting tips for both fixtures, based on the latest team news and form as of May 3, 2025.

Aston Villa vs Fulham: Villans Aim to Extend Home Dominance

Match Details

• Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
• Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
• Kick-off: 12:30 PM GMT (1:30 PM WAT)
• Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 (UK)
• Referee: To be confirmed

Match Context

Aston Villa, under Unai Emery’s astute management, are firmly in the race for a top-five finish to secure European football next season. Despite a disappointing 3-0 FA Cup semi-final loss to Crystal Palace last weekend, Villa’s home form remains a fortress, with six consecutive Premier League home wins and an unbeaten run at Villa Park since October 2024. The Villans will look to bounce back against a Fulham side chasing a Conference League spot but struggling for consistency, particularly on the road.

Fulham, managed by Marco Silva, have shown flashes of brilliance this season, notably defeating top sides like Liverpool (3-2 at home last month). However, their away form has been patchy, with back-to-back league losses on the road. With both teams known for entertaining, goal-heavy matches, this clash promises to be a cracker.

Recent Form

• Aston Villa:
  • Villa’s FA Cup exit has refocused their attention on the Premier League, where they’ve been formidable at home.
  • Recent results: W 3-1 vs Fulham (away, October 2024), W 1-0 vs Everton, L 1-0 vs Leicester.
  • Unbeaten in their last 20 home league games (W13, D6, L1), with their only defeat in that span coming against Tottenham in March 2024.
  • Over 2.5 goals in each of Villa’s last 10 matches across all competitions, highlighting their attacking intent.
• Fulham:
  • Inconsistent in 2025, with seven wins and seven losses in their last 14 league games since a 2-2 draw with Ipswich on January 5.
  • Notable scalp: A 3-2 home win over Liverpool, showcasing their ability to trouble top teams.
  • Struggled away recently, losing their last two league games on the road.
  • Both teams have scored in 11 of Fulham’s 12 matches against top-seven sides this season, indicating defensive vulnerabilities but attacking potency.

Key Statistics

• Aston Villa:
  • Ollie Watkins leads Villa’s attack with 5 goals and 3 assists this season. He has a strong record against Fulham, contributing goals or assists in recent meetings.
  • Villa have scored in five consecutive home games against Fulham, averaging 2.2 goals per match in those fixtures.
  • Midfielder Youri Tielemans has been a physical presence, committing 2+ fouls in his last five league games, often breaking up opposition play.
  • Villa’s matches have been goal-fests, with over 2.5 goals in their last 10 games across all competitions.
• Fulham:
  • Fulham’s forwards, including Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore, have consistently troubled top defenses, with both teams scoring in most of their games against higher-ranked sides.
  • Midfielder Sasa Lukic is a card magnet, picking up 12 yellows in 25 league starts this season, making him a prime candidate for a booking.
  • Fulham have conceded at least one goal in their last nine matches, highlighting defensive frailties.
  • Their games against top-seven teams average3.1 goals, with 1.4 in the first half.

Head-to-Head (H2H)

• Aston Villa have dominated recent encounters, winning 6 of the last 7 meetings with Fulham across all competitions.
• Unai Emery boasts a perfect record against Fulham, winning all 6 of his managerial clashes with the Cottagers.
• Last meeting: Aston Villa 3-1 Fulham (October 2024, Premier League, away), with goals from Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz, and Jhon Duran.
• Villa have not lost to Fulham at home in the Premier League since 2012, winning their last four home league meetings.
• Average goals in recent Villa vs Fulham matches: 3.2 per game, with 1.6 in the first half, suggesting fast starts.

Team News

• Aston Villa:
  • Out: Marcus Rashford (hamstring, on loan from Manchester United) is the only confirmed absentee.
  • Doubts: None reported, but Emery may rotate after the midweek cup exertions.
  • Ollie Watkins and John McGinn are pushing for starts after limited minutes in recent games, while new signing Donyell Malen could make a substitute appearance.
  • Possible XI: Martinez; Konsa, Carlos, Torres, Digne; Tielemans, Kamara; Bailey, Rogers, McGinn; Watkins.
• Fulham:
  • Out: No major injury concerns reported.
  • Doubts: Bobby De Cordova-Reid is expected to be fit after a minor issue.
  • Marco Silva may opt for a high-pressing lineup, with Adama Traore and Emile Smith Rowe likely to feature prominently.
  • Possible XI: Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Pereira; Traore, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Jimenez.

Prediction

Aston Villa 2-1 Fulham

Aston Villa’s exceptional home form, coupled with Unai Emery’s tactical mastery over Fulham, makes them strong favorites to claim all three points. Ollie Watkins, likely to start, should exploit Fulham’s leaky defense, which has conceded in nine straight games. However, Fulham’s knack for scoring against top sides—evidenced by their goals against Liverpool and others—suggests they’ll find the net, making a both teams to score outcome highly probable. Expect Villa’s midfield, led by Tielemans and Douglas Luiz, to control the tempo and secure a narrow victory.

Betting Tips

• Aston Villa to win & both teams to score: 12/5 (general odds), reflecting Villa’s home strength and Fulham’s scoring consistency.
• Over 2.5 goals: Likely given Villa’s recent trend of high-scoring games and Fulham’s open style against top teams.
• Sasa Lukic to be booked: Fulham’s midfielder is prone to fouls in high-intensity matches, with 12 yellows this season.
• Ollie Watkins to score or assist: His involvement in recent Fulham games makes this a solid pick.

Arsenal vs Bournemouth: Gunners Face Tricky Cherries Test

Match Details

• Date: Saturday, May 3, 2025
• Venue: Emirates Stadium, London
• Kick-off: 5:30 PM GMT (6:30 PM WAT)
• Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League (UK)
• Referee: To be confirmed

Match Context

Arsenal are locked in a battle to secure second place in the Premier League while juggling a demanding Champions League schedule. A midweek defeat to PSG has left them on the brink of European elimination, potentially denting morale ahead of this clash. The Gunners have been frustratingly inconsistent, drawing 13 league games this season—more than any other team—often from winning positions. At home, however, they remain formidable, unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League matches at the Emirates.

Bournemouth, under Andoni Iraola, have been a revelation on the road, losing just once in 13 away games this season. Fresh off a dramatic 2-2 draw with Manchester United, the Cherries are unbeaten in their last four league games and will fancy their chances of causing an upset, especially after their 2-0 home win over Arsenal in October 2024. With both teams playing open, attacking football, this match could produce fireworks.

Recent Form

• Arsenal:
  • Drew 2-2 with Crystal Palace in their last league outing, marking the ninth time this season they’ve dropped points from a winning position.
  • Lost to PSG in the Champions League midweek, increasing pressure on Mikel Arteta to rotate his squad.
  • Unbeaten in their last 13 Premier League home games (W10, D3) since a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa in April 2024.
  • Strong H2H record against Bournemouth, winning all 6 Premier League home meetings.
• Bournemouth:
  • Unbeaten in their last four league games (W1, D3), but rued a 96th-minute equalizer in their draw with Manchester United.
  • Exceptional away form: Unbeaten in 12 of 13 away matches this season, averaging 2.07 goals per game.
  • Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals has landed in Bournemouth’s last five league matches, highlighting their attacking style.
  • Shock 2-0 win over Arsenal in October 2024, aided by William Saliba’s red card, ended a long winless run against the Gunners.

Key Statistics

• Arsenal:
  • Arsenal have drawn 13 league matches this season, the highest in the Premier League, with 9 from winning positions.
  • They average 7.59 corners per home game, second only to Tottenham (233 corners), making them a threat from set pieces.
  • Martin Ødegaard’s return from injury has boosted Arsenal’s midfield creativity, with the captain dictating play.
  • Arsenal are unbeaten in 44 consecutive games across all competitions when scoring (W36, D8), but their defense has been breached in recent matches.
• Bournemouth:
  • Antoine Semenyo leads Bournemouth’s attack with 3 goals and 37 shots in the Premier League, including 6 in their win over Arsenal.
  • Bournemouth rank third for total shots taken in the league, averaging 14.2 per game.
  • Over 2.5 goals in their last five games and four of Fulham’s last five, indicating open, end-to-end football.
  • Their away games average 3.4 goals, with both teams scoring in 9 of their 13 road trips.

Head-to-Head (H2H)

• Arsenal have won 13 of their last 17 meetings with Bournemouth across all competitions, including all 8 home league games.
• Last meeting: Bournemouth 2-0 Arsenal (October 2024, Premier League, away), with goals from Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert.
• Before October’s loss, Arsenal were unbeaten in 10 meetings with Bournemouth (W8, D2).
• Average goals in recent Arsenal vs Bournemouth matches: 3.2, with Arsenal averaging 1.8 goals per game.

Team News

• Arsenal:
  • Out: Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Gabriel Jesus (knee), Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (ankle), and Ethan Nwaneri (minor knock) are ruled out.
  • Doubts: Riccardo Calafiori’s fitness is uncertain after missing the PSG game.
  • Arteta may rotate due to upcoming Champions League commitments, with youngsters like Myles Lewis-Skelly potentially starting.
  • Possible XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Rice, Ødegaard, Havertz; Sterling, Trossard, Martinelli.
• Bournemouth:
  • Out: No major injury concerns reported.
  • Doubts: None, with Evanilson available after a successful red card appeal and Tyler Adams fit.
  • Ryan Christie and Justin Kluivert, who scored in October’s win, could start after coming off the bench in that game.
  • Possible XI: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kerkez; Christie, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Evanilson.

Prediction

Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth

Arsenal’s injury crisis and midweek Champions League exertions could hinder their ability to secure a comfortable win, despite their formidable home record against Bournemouth. The Gunners’ tendency to drop points from winning positions—13 draws this season—combined with Bournemouth’s exceptional away form (unbeaten in 12 of 13), makes a draw a plausible outcome. Bournemouth’s counter-attacking threat, led by Antoine Semenyo, should exploit Arsenal’s depleted defense, while the Gunners’ set-piece prowess could yield a goal. Expect a tight, competitive match with both teams finding the net.

Betting Tips

• Bournemouth or draw double chance: Bournemouth’s unbeaten away run makes this a value bet at around 7/4 (general odds).
• Both teams to score: Likely given Bournemouth’s scoring consistency and Arsenal’s defensive lapses in recent games.
• Arsenal to have 6+ corners: Their high corner average at home (7.59 per game) makes this a strong pick.
• Antoine Semenyo to have a shot on target: His 37 shots this season, including 6 against Arsenal, support this prop bet.

Summary and Key Takeaways

Both Aston Villa vs Fulham and Arsenal vs Bournemouth promise to be closely contested affairs with significant implications for the European and mid-table races. Here’s a quick recap:

• Aston Villa vs Fulham (2-1): Villa’s home dominance and Emery’s perfect record against Fulham should secure a narrow win, but Fulham’s attacking threat ensures they’ll contribute to the scoreline. Expect goals, with over 2.5 goals and both teams to score being safe bets.
• Arsenal vs Bournemouth (1-1): Arsenal’s injury woes and European distractions open the door for Bournemouth to nick a point, leveraging their superb away form. A draw or Bournemouth double chance offers value, with both teams likely to score in an open game.

For the latest odds and additional betting insights, visit trusted sources like Racing Post, Goal.com, or Bet365. Always gamble responsibly, and stay tuned for last-minute team news that could sway these predictions.

Note: Predictions and betting tips are based on form, stats, and H2H data as of May 3, 2025. Actual outcomes may vary due to unforeseen changes in lineups, injuries, or match dynamics. Enjoy the matches, and may the best teams win!