EPL Week 32 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info
Few predicted Manchester United would be ahead of Manchester City prior to their colossal derby clash on April 12.
The Red Devils have put together five straight wins—including pivotal victories against Tottenham and Liverpool—to jump ahead of their local rivals. City's form has hit rock-bottom at the wrong stage of the season, with three straight away defeats leaving them in fourth place.
Manuel Pellegrini's once title-chasers are now engulfed in a battle for Champions League places and travel to Old Trafford knowing defeat will see United stretch the gap to third to four points. Such a fixture headlines Matchweek 32 in a Premier League season which is set for drama at the top and bottom across the remaining six weeks.
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Here's a look at the full round of fixtures, followed by a breakdown of key players:
| Date | Time | Home | Prediction | Away |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 12:45 p.m. BST/7:45 a.m. ET | Swansea | 2-2 | Everton |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Tottenham | 2-1 | Aston Villa |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | West Bromwich Albion | 1-2 | Leicester |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | West Ham | 1-1 | Stoke City |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Southampton | 2-0 | Hull City |
| 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET | Sunderland | 0-1 | Crystal Palace | |
| Sat, Apr. 11. | 5:30 p.m. BST/12:30 p.m. ET | Burnley | 1-2 | Arsenal |
| Sun, Apr. 12. | 1:30 p.m. BST/8:30 a.m. ET | Queens Park Rangers | 1-1 | Chelsea |
| Sun, Apr. 12. | 4 p.m. BST/11 a.m. ET | Manchester United | 2-2 | Manchester City |
| Mon, Apr. 13 | 8 p.m. BST/3 p.m. ET | Liverpool | 3-0 | Newcastle United |
Key Players
Glenn Murray
Crystal Palace's 2-1 win over Manchester City was remarkable in itself, but the performance of Glenn Murray ranks up there with the best given by a Premier League forward this season. He hustled centre-backs Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis, two players who simply couldn't match the 31-year-old's terrific work-rate at Selhurst Park.
Not only did Murray sneak in to score the first goal, he created a nuisance of himself in front of City's backline. The veteran striker out-jumped both defenders to aerial challenges, flicking the ball into dangerous positions for his team-mates. He broke play up and was fouled seven times during his 82-minute appearance, per WhoScored.com.
While Murray's play with his back to goal also impressed—he kept things ticking over nicely—the MailOnline highlighted how his turn of form has helped Alan Pardew settle in as Eagles boss:
Palace face a tricky fixture away at Sunderland next. Dick Advocaat has tightened the team up and provided the Black Cats with confidence heading into the final stint. Murray's newfound confidence has the power to make the subtle difference needed to grab three points.
Charlie Austin
Queens Park Rangers fans have enjoyed a more explosive return from Charlie Austin this season. His phenomenal run of 16 Premier League goals puts him within three of top scorers Diego Costa and Harry Kane, but more importantly for QPR, Austin continues to show he is the man who can rescue them from relegation.
He provided an assist and instinctive header during the 4-1 thrashing of West Brom. Austin's goal was typical of a player who has gobbled up a variety of chances this season. Having worked his way through the lower leagues, he is determined to make people remember his name.
As noted by bet365, Austin can consider himself unlucky not to have received a place in the recent England squad:
QPR face champions elect Chelsea during April 12's early kick-off, a task which is likely to prove extremely difficult.
Much of the talk will be about former striker Loic Remy returning to Loftus Road, but Austin can steal the plaudits if the rest of his team are up to the task. Chelsea's defence have struggled recently, and with Austin's instinctive nature giving QPR hope of remaining in the division, one of the season's big shocks could arrive.
Many Manchester United fans longed for Wayne Rooney to return up front earlier in the season. Now settled back in his best role, the captain has played a major role in transforming United's prospects for the campaign.
His goal in the 3-1 win over Aston Villa was classy and summarised a return to the Rooney we know.
Rooney's energy and powerful turn of pace allows United to play expansive football. This hasn't been possible with Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao in the side. Considering Manchester City's defence have struggled to deal with any prominent threat since the turn of the year, Rooney's ability to apply pressure onto Pellegrini's centre-backs can open up space for United's midfield technicians to exploit.
B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Matteo Bonetti recently discussed how such performances can turn United into title-contenders next season:
Rooney has proven himself a leader in the last few weeks, but victory against City will outweigh United's recent wins as the most important three points of the season. Establishing a four-point gap ahead of trips to face Chelsea and Everton could be key to United holding onto a Champions League place. A loss gives City and Liverpool reason to spark into life.
The weekend's play is destined to be crammed full of quality goals—although it will have to go some way to beat the amazing strikes seen in Matchweek 31—as points become increasingly valuable as we head toward May.
