Weekend Wagers: Best Bets for the Premier League Final Day and Irish Classics</

This weekend sees the 2024/25 Premier League draw to a close, with all 20 clubs kicking off in unison at 4 pm on Sunday. The title and relegation positions have been decided for a few weeks now, whilst Arsenal all but secured second place with last weekend's win over Newcastle. However, with three Champions League positions still up for grabs, this is a big weekend for Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest. Three of those sides will be celebrating on Sunday evening, but two will end the campaign on a sour note.

Meanwhile, on the racing front, it’s Classic time once again, as the most talented three-year-old milers rock up at the Curragh for the Irish 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. Much to look forward to on another cracking weekend of sport. Here, using data presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our top picks for the Irish Classics and two best bets in the Premier League.

Saturday: Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas - Curragh, 3:40 pm

Our first bet comes in the colts Classic from the Curragh. Newmarket 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold is out on his own at the head of the market. If able to repeat that slightly unfortunate second to Ruling Court, he is likely to take some stopping. However, at a general price of 4/5, he has hardly been missed by the market. With the Kingman colt making his third start in just five weeks, we are prepared to take him on with an each-way punt.

Both sired by an Irish 2000 Guineas winner and out of a mare who scored in Group 1 company over this trip, the Aidan O’Brien duo of Trinity College and Officer could scarcely make more appeal on paper. Officer, in particular, is greatly respected on the back of a Listed success over course and distance last time, but we just prefer another.

Hailing from the yard of Jessica Harrington, Hotazhell boasts juvenile form to match the very best on offer in this field. The pick of those efforts saw him master Ballsax Stakes and Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Delacroix in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. Looking like the type to improve as a three-year-old, he is worth supporting on his seasonal return.

• Recommended Bet - Hotazhell each way @ 8/1 with BetMGM

Sunday: Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – Curragh, 3:40 pm

With a record-setting ten wins in this fillies Classic, anything hailing from the yard of Aidan O’Brien merits the utmost respect. The Ballydoyle maestro is responsible for four of the remaining entries in 2025, headed by one of the stars of 2024, Lake Victoria. A perfect five from five in her juvenile campaign, she was reportedly undercooked for her return in the English 1,000. As such, she probably did well to go down by only 2½l in sixth. However, at around 5/4, she is a significantly shorter price than a pair of Ollie Sangster-trained fillies who finished in front of her at Newmarket.

Of the Sangster duo, we wouldn’t rule out another bold showing from Simmering, but we prefer the claims of Newmarket runner-up, Flight. Whilst losing out for a third time to Desert Flower, the daughter of Siyouni finished closer to the Godolphin runner than she had in two starts as a juvenile. We are also happy to upgrade that effort as she raced in the smaller group of three towards the near side, with the two who kept her company finishing only seventh and tenth. At 5/1, she rates a solid each-way proposition.

• Recommended Bet - Flight each way @ 5/1 with BetMGM

Sunday: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea – 4:00pm

There always threatened to be a lot on the line in this final-day showdown at the City Ground, and so it has come to pass.

Sitting in the all-important fifth position, Chelsea will qualify for the Champions League if they win – barring an exceedingly improbable goal-difference turnaround with Aston Villa. A draw will also be enough if Villa fail to beat Man Utd or Newcastle lose to Everton. Even defeat doesn’t rule Chelsea out entirely, but that would require Newcastle and Villa to lose and a significant goal difference swing.

Forest, meanwhile, must win to have any realistic chance. All three points would see the Tricky Trees hoping that either Newcastle fail to be Everton or Villa fail to beat Manchester United.

All of which tees up a nail-biting encounter in which both sides really ought to go for the win. The reverse fixture ended 1-1 at Stamford Bridge, but the xG figures suggest an expected total goals outcome of 3.01. With both teams incentivised to attack, we like over 2.5 goals as the first part of our bet. We were also surprised to see Chelsea staring as favourites in what is sure to be an intimidating atmosphere at the City Ground. Boost the odds by taking the hosts to end the season on a high and leave Enzo Maresca glancing nervously in Todd Boehly’s direction.

• Recommended Bet - Forest win and over 2.5 goals @ 10/3 with QuinnBet

Sunday: Manchester United vs Aston Villa – 4:00pm

Last stop Old Trafford as sixth-placed Villa bid to secure last-gasp Champions League qualification. If we ignore improbable 11-goal and 13-goal swings with Chelsea and Newcastle, Villa need the following to happen. Unai Emery’s men must beat United and hope that either Man City lose to Fulham or Newcastle fail to beat Everton. A draw will also be enough if Newcastle fail to be Everton. For United, the only incentive is to avoid finishing one spot above the relegation zone at the end of a turbulent campaign.

This looks like a classic late-season motivational mismatch. Hot on the heels of a devastating defeat in the Europa League Final, it’s hard to see the hosts repelling a far superior Villa outfit. Arriving in much better form, and fresh following a midweek off, we envisage a comfortable away victory in this one. The prospect of a sufficient goal-difference swing may be remote, but it should ensure Villa keep their foot on the gas throughout.

• Recommended Bet - Villa -2 @ 5/1 with Midnite