Weekend Football Predictions Digest (24-25.05)

N1Bet is one of the new bookmakers that started back in 2021 to shake up the sports-betting industry. Despite launching relatively recently, it has already reached over 100 nations worldwide and is expanding quickly. N1 Interactive Africa Ltd. offers odds on various sporting events daily. It’s fully licensed to operate as an online gaming site and follows robust safety measures.

Chris Wilder gave his squad a chance to ease off the gas in April and early May. The result? Four defeats in their last seven Championship matches — it looked like a quiet surrender to Leeds and Burnley, triggering fan concerns ahead of the playoffs. But then came that first away leg against Bristol City — a statement 3–0 win that silenced the doubters and left the hosts no chance of a comeback.

As for Régis Le Bris’ side, Sunderland’s campaign stats tell a more modest story. They became the textbook “fourth-place team” — far off the top three, but comfortably ahead of the chasing pack. However, they collapsed down the stretch, scoring just once in their final five matches. Against Coventry in the playoffs, they sat deep in both legs, surrendering initiative but staying compact. To their credit, the Black Cats know how to make the most of limited chances — often creating a few big moments from minimal possession.

On paper, Sheffield are favourites — but with so much riding on this clash, the result could swing either way. Here’s a stat to note: in the last four head-to-heads between these sides, the average number of corners was a whopping 14.5. Expect a gritty, end-to-end battle.

My Take: Over 9.5 corners – (1.60 via N1Bet)

Just a year after their relegation from the Premier League, Sheffield United are on the brink of bouncing back.

For Sunderland, it’s been almost a decade since they last played top-flight football. This could be a dream return.

Sheffield finished the season as the third-best team, a full 14 points clear of their closest chaser — ironically, their playoff final opponents. That margin says a lot. It wasn’t enough for automatic promotion, but it shows clear dominance.

Anything can happen in a one-off match — but Sheffield are my favourites here.

My Take: Sheffield to win – (2.40 via N1Bet)

What a season for the Blues. Arminia shone in both the cup and the league — finishing top of their division. Sounds like a dream year, right? And it is — with one caveat: they won Germany’s third division. But their cup run has been electric — knocking out Leverkusen in the semis, and before that, dispatching Werder, Freiburg, and Union Berlin — all top-tier sides. If they win this final, they’ll qualify for the Europa League. Honestly, it’s the stuff of fan fiction.

Now to Stuttgart — a more “expected” finalist. Yet their Bundesliga season was underwhelming; they limped to a 9th-place finish. That makes this final their only route to Europe. Sure, facing a third-division opponent in the final looks like a gift… but look at who Arminia have knocked out. Plus, the Blues have already overachieved in every way imaginable.

Expect free-flowing, attacking football from both camps. Both teams have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

My Take: Both teams to score – (1.70 via N1Bet)

In the second half of this season, Paris Saint-Germain have finally become the kind of team you want to support. Once dismissed as a bloated “moneybag” packed with superstars, PSG have transformed into a well-oiled machine — and the credit goes squarely to Luis Enrique. Under his leadership, the Parisians now play with clarity, organization, and tactical depth. Heading into this cup clash, PSG are already Ligue 1 champions. They’ve also reached the Champions League final and remain the only European club still in the running for a treble. That makes this game a high-priority fixture, even with the UCL final looming — there’s still a full week in between.

For Reims, making the Coupe de France final is already a massive achievement. In Ligue 1, they’ve ended up in the relegation playoff zone and must now face Metz in a two-legged tie to stay up. And crucially, the second leg of that relegation playoff is just four days after this final. Naturally, they’ll give it their all — a win here would send them straight to the Europa League. But they’re caught in a dilemma: go all-in for glory or prioritize survival in the top flight?

Either way, stopping Luis Enrique’s PSG is a huge ask — and it’s unlikely Reims, in crisis mode, are up to it. Paris probably won’t expend every ounce of energy just before a UCL final, so expect a controlled win — likely by 1 or 2 goals — with intent shown from the first whistle.

My Take: PSG to win both halves – (1.99 via N1Bet)

The hosts have already completed their main objective — they’ve secured top-flight status. So motivation here is minimal, aside from ending the season on a high note for the fans.

The visitors, though, are fueled by European ambition. Celta need a win to give themselves a shot at qualifying for the Europa League. The issue? They’ve only managed four league wins all season — all by a single-goal margin.

The Coliseum isn’t an easy place to win at. Getafe may have eased up recently, but they rarely lose at home — and almost never by more than one goal.

Celta can’t afford slip-ups — it’s win or hope their rivals stumble. All things considered…

My Take: Celta to win by exactly one goal or draw – (1.82 via N1Bet)

There’s not much drama left in the final round of La Liga, but one key clash will go down in Leganés — where Los Pepineros host this season’s biggest underachievers.

Leganés are in the drop zone and need more than just a win to survive. They also need Espanyol — their closest rival — to either draw or lose. Based on Espanyol’s current form, that’s not far-fetched.

I’m convinced Leganés will throw everything they’ve got into this match. Staying in La Liga is worth it.

My Take: Leganés -1.5 handicap win – (1.97 via N1Bet)

The Portuguese Cup final brings us the Lisbon Derby — a blockbuster way to end the season. Sporting are officially champions, while Benfica finished runners-up. The title race went right to the wire until Braga took points off Benfica, essentially handing the crown to the Lions.

Here’s a spicy historical nugget: it’s not uncommon in Portugal for the league champion to lose the cup final. That adds an extra layer of intrigue. What’ll happen this time? It’s anyone’s guess — cup finals are their own beast, full of emotion and fierce pride.

But I see the Eagles lifting the trophy here. It just feels like their moment.

My Take: Benfica to win the cup – (1.70 via N1Bet)

Heading into the final Premier League matchday, just two teams have guaranteed themselves Champions League spots. Yes, England has five places (excluding the Europa League winner’s bonus), and one of those remaining spots is being fought over by Forest and Chelsea.

Only one will break into the top five — the winner. The loser? Out of the UCL race entirely. That means Chelsea can’t afford to think about the Conference League final — or the Club World Cup — just yet. The sole focus is the Premier League.

The Blues come in red-hot: four wins from their last five, including statement victories over new champions Liverpool and Europa League finalists Manchester United. They have more big-game experience than Forest — that much is clear.

My Take: X2 and under 3.5 goals — not the most obvious shout, but logical when you consider the table pressure – (2.03 via N1Bet)

Neither team has anything left to play for in this final fixture.

The Lions rarely lose at San Mamés, although Barcelona are one of the few teams who’ve spoiled their home party — most notably in the Copa del Rey this season.

Barça had a brilliant season — their best in years — although they did fall short of reaching the Champions League final.

I think Athletic will dig in and fight for a positive end to the season.

My Take: Athletic to win by one goal or draw – (2.21 via N1Bet)

One of the few fixtures on the final matchday where both teams desperately need a win.

Venezia’s only hope of survival is to win — and hope their rivals slip up. Empoli could draw, but then it comes down to goal difference and tiebreakers.

Juventus simply can’t afford to drop points. Securing a UCL spot would redeem an otherwise disappointing season. But to control their own fate, they need three points — anything else, and they’re left hoping for favours elsewhere.

As we’ve seen in recent weeks, you should never underestimate a cornered beast — Venezia are exactly that. Ask Fiorentina. Juve’s away form has also been suspect lately.

My Take: Over 4 total yellow cards – (1.85 via N1Bet)

Atalanta have already wrapped up their main objective for the season — so don’t expect total focus from the squad in this final round.

Parma, on the other hand, are still not out of the woods. While they’ve got a small cushion above the drop zone, back-to-back wins from their nearest rivals combined with their own loss (or even a draw) could leave them in serious trouble. It’s unlikely — but not impossible.

Parma have shown they can hang with the top sides recently — I think they’ll do the same against Atalanta.

My Take: Parma to win by one goal or draw – (2.40 via N1Bet)