Premier League Matchday 31 preview: Manchester United in focus, Tottenham face relegation heat, Sunderland eye history

Bournemouth are on a five-match unbeaten run against Manchester United (won 2, drawn 3) in the Premier League.

Published on: Mar 20, 2026, 16:24:32 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Matchday 31 of the Premier League is set to begin, and Bournemouth will kick off proceedings against Michael Carrick's Manchester United. Fans will also get to witness a relegation battle between Tottenham and Nottingham Forest. Both teams are fighting for survival.

Manchester United face Bournemouth in their upcoming fixture. (AFP)

As league leaders, Arsenal take on second-placed Manchester City in the League Cup final on Sunday, the focus will be on the race to qualify for the Champions League and also the relegation battle.

Also Read: Cristiano Ronaldo’s FIFA World Cup dream in doubt as recovery stalls; Portugal star set to miss USA, Mexico friendlies

Tottenham vs Nottingham Forest

Tottenham's upcoming fixture vs Nottingham will feel like a final, with both sides looking to wrestle their way out of this relegation battle. Spurs are only one point above 17th-placed Forest. If they lose to Forest and third-bottom West Ham wins against Aston Villa, Tottenham will fall into the relegation zone. Only eight games are left this season, and they bowed out of the Champions League.

Although they beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in the second leg, they lost 7-5 on aggregate. Speaking after the match, defender Pedro Porro said, "It gives you confidence for what's going to be like a final on Sunday. We've had some bad matches in the Premier League to be honest, but the last one against Liverpool, we came out with a draw so we're picking up some good feelings again."

"It's tough, it's not easy because nobody wants to be in this position at this point," he added.

Liverpool's campaign revitalised?

Liverpool beat Galatasaray in the Champions League. The Turkish side won the first leg, but the second leg was at Anfield, and the visitors fell to a heavy defeat. Arne Slot's side travels to Brighton for their upcoming game, and they can't lose their focus because of European football.

"We have to try to find consistency," said Slot.

"We have had a lot of setbacks this season, a lot of times where we have created chance after chance without doing justice to how we performed," he added.

Can Sunderland overtake Newcastle?

Newcastle hosts Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby. Sunderland are unbeaten in their last 10 league games against Newcastle, winning seven of the last eight. Newcastle will be hoping to break it, and the visitors could just make it 11, the longest unbeaten streak by either side in this fixture's history.

Spotlight on Manchester United

Bournemouth are on a five-match unbeaten run against Manchester United (won 2, drawn 3) in the Premier League. For United, Bruno Fernandes will be key. He has created six or more chances in each of his last three Premier League outings. He has scored or assisted at least once in 15 of his last 21 games for United in all competitions, bagging 22 goals involvements.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.