Top Shelf Tips: EPL Matchday 36

The 2025-26 Premier League season kicks on into Matchday 36, and we’re here with five top-shelf EPL tips for the weekend ahead.

Liverpool v Chelsea

Matchday 35 didn’t go to plan for either team featuring here. Liverpool fell 3-2 to Manchester United after Kobbie Mainoo fired home a ripper, while Chelsea’s poor period extended further through a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest. It marks six straight defeats with only one goal scored. But not all bad form guides are created equal, and Chelsea are playing out one of the biggest slumps in the EPL right now.

Their defensive metrics are a concern. They have conceded the fourth-most set-piece goals and fifth-most set-piece expected goals in the league. They’re leaking too many in open play as well, to have conceded 14 throughout the six-game losing streak.

Liverpool might not be playing their best, but they’re fighting for a Champions League spot and showing enough signs of life in the 90 minutes to put a few past Chelsea. They rank fourth in the EPL for goals scored this season and should prove too strong with the ball for a Chelsea team waiting for the season to end.

Bet Now Liverpool To Win @ $1.82

West Ham v Arsenal

Arsenal have one hand on the EPL title if they can get the job done here, as they should.

“Mikel Arteta and the Gunners will be looking to stay at the top through defence. They’ve played with the best defence in the EPL all season, allowing only 0.69 goals per game. It’s the best record from the top five league clubs in all competitions.” The Run Home

Meanwhile, West Ham are desperately fighting relegation. A slip-up last week as Tottenham claimed all three points, saw the Hammers drop into the bottom three, where they face a tough task getting out.

The Gunners are far superior on both sides of the ball. Their defence is impenetrable, and while they’ve not being the most prolific scoring team, they looked a lot more dangerous with Bakayo Saka back on the field last week.

West Ham can’t take anything other than all three points, so expect an aggressive approach. With it, Arsenal can play on the counter and give their improving front line room to find the net.

Bet Now Arsenal To Score Exactly 2 Goals @ $3.05

Sunderland v Manchester United

Manchester United continue to ride high after earning an impressive 3-2 win over Liverpool on Matchday 35. The three points all but secure their place in the Champions League for next season.

While the 3-2 final score and period of parity suggests a close game, United’s 2.36 expected goals to Liverpool’s 1.03 paints a more accurate picture. Now, Michael Carrick’s side is heading to the Stadium of Light to take on 12th-place Sunderland.

The 12th place is important given the Saints don’t have a lot to play for either way. They’re positioned to avoid going down, but not high enough to make a genuine attempt at a European spot. They’re effectively on the beach, and it shows in their defence.

Sunderland has conceded 10 goals across their last three matches – two losses and a draw. Bruno Fernandes, in particular, will be licking his lips at the thought of getting forward. He has 19 EPL assists and is only one away from tying the all-time single-season record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. It’s enough of a point around the club that we should expect him to be looking for teammates more than his own shot in this one.

Bet Now Bruno Fernandes to assist 2+ goals @ $9

Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Simply fading the Wolverhampton Wanderers is the place to start at the moment. They already have one foot in the Championship and are counting down the days to the end of the EPL season. The value comes in their horror form in front of goal.

Wolves have scored just seven goals in 17 away Premier League games, averaging a measly 0.41 per game.

Brighton & Hove Albion may have lost last week, but they’ve only lost consecutive EPL games once all season. Consistency has been one of their best attributes, and they carry decent form into this one overall. They’ve won three of their last five matches, while Wolves have failed to win any in the same span.

We don’t need to overthink this one given the form and motivation behind the respective teams.

Bet Now Brighton & Hove Albion To Win To Nil @ $2.10

Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur finally showed some signs of life on Matchday 35. They played like a team that cared, didn’t stop running, and made the most of what was a passive Aston Villa team in front of them.

In contrast, Leeds United are safe. They could have their EPL future confirmed before this match kicks off, which could work against them mentally in the build-up.

Spurs have now proven they can execute a game plan under pressure. Despite their glaring defensive weaknesses this season, in which they’ve shipped 54 goals, they’ve found a more gritty edge over the last fortnight. Returning home and with their Premier League future on the line, expect to see Tottenham play with the same fight as last week. If they come correct, De Zerbi should inch closer to his five-game winning streak with number three here.

Bet Now Tottenham To Win @ $1.80

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