EPL Soccer Picks, Predictions, Best Bets: Erling Haaland closing in on third Premier League Golden Boot

English football hits the turf with just two more weeks remaining to determine a 2026 champion. Arsenal barely lead the way with 79 points, while Manchester City still lurk with a game in hand.

Fifth-place Aston Villa take on fourth-place Liverpool in a battle for a Champions League spot, while Bournemouth could throw a wrench in City’s plans to win the league. However, it’ll ultimately come down to Arsenal’s results because if they win out, they’ll win the league. Benjamin Sesko hit impressive form in recent weeks and looks for another goal against Nottingham to keep Man United in good standing, although they’re in a relatively safe spot at third regardless.

Get ready, because Aston Villa vs. Liverpool kicks off the action on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

Aston Villa vs. Liverpool best bet: Both teams to score (-230)

Liverpool have won 45 more games than Aston Villa historically in this fixture, with Villa’s last win coming in the 2020/21 season.

The home +195 contenders of Aston Villa are having their best season to date considering they are top five in the EPL, while also playing in the upcoming Europa League final. They’ve slipped up slightly in recent league games, including a 1-0 loss to Fulham, a 1-2 loss to Tottenham and 2-2 draw to Burnley, but within the same span of time, they won their Europa League quarters and semis. There’s much to consider for next season here, as either a Europa League Championship or a top-five (potentially top-six) finish in the EPL is good enough for Champions League qualification next season. They’ll certainly want a win at home to correct their course, but it may not be the main goal in their mind with the finals coming up on the 20th. Both Ollie Watkins (12 goals) and Tammy Abraham (one goal) lead their team at +180 odds to score here.

Liverpool absolutely seek a win on away grounds with no other trophies left to play for. They can’t win the league, so a top-four (or five) finish is all they want. After dropping five points in their last two games, the team needs a win Friday and a draw in the final week to secure fourth. Things are looking up for the Reds in the standings, though, with their only issue being that the team is missing its dominant starters, including Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, with Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate on tentative status after the Chelsea match. Missing Ekitike hurts, but Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo are still capable of scoring at +160 and +210, respectively.

A draw seems to be in the making here, but all things considered –and regardless of the result – expect both teams to score.

Bournemouth vs. Manchester City best bet: Draw +320

Other than City and Arsenal, Bournemouth are set up to be the biggest victims in the standings (when excluding relegations) due to how close they hover around the sixth-place spot. The Cherries are in ripe form, though, winning four of their last five – including a victory over Arsenal – while going undefeated for 16 straight games in the league since their 3-2 defeat to the Gunners on January 3. Junior Kroupi, Evanilson and Marcus Tavernier have all contributed to 24 of the squad’s 56 goals this season.

Manchester City have already won silverware this season and have the FA Cup final against Chelsea to focus on this Saturday before their match against Bournemouth. They will likely take home their second trophy of the season, and now, after beating Crystal Palace 3-0 Wednesday, the team is in a must-win scenario here for having any chance of winning the EPL. The Citizens are in a great spot, though, going undefeated in the league for 14 games since their January 27 loss to United. Erling Haaland holds the golden boot spot with 26 goals to his name.

In a match between two points-hungry teams on long undefeated streaks, a draw is expected from this one. For what it’s worth, the Cherries have drawn 16 games this season.

Benjamin Sesko anytime goalscorer (+135) in Man United vs. Nottingham Forest

United’s front line six-foot-five Slovenian striker, Benjamin Sesko, has been a force this season as he leads his team in scoring with 11 goals. Expect him to be a game-changer against Forest with his third goal in three games to help solidify United’s hold on third place.