EPL Week 33 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixture Info

The resumption of the FA Cup means there is a shortened schedule in the Premier League this weekend. However, while the two ties at Wembley will steal some of the spotlight from the divisional action, there is still plenty to play for at both ends of the table.

Chelsea host a rejuvenated Manchester United in the standout game of the weekend, with the Blues knowing they’re three wins away from clinching the title. At the bottom there are some key encounters to savour, too, with Leicester City and Burnley each desperate to haul themselves out of the relegation zone.

Here’s a full rundown of the fixtures to come and a closer look at a couple of players who look poised to make the difference for their respective teams this weekend.

Date	Time (BST)	Fixture	Prediction
Saturday, April 18	3 p.m.	Everton vs. Burnley	1-1
Saturday, April 18	3 p.m.	Leicester City vs. Swansea City	2-1
Saturday, April 18	3 p.m.	Stoke vs. Southampton	1-1
Saturday, April 18	5:30 p.m.	Chelsea vs. Manchester United	1-1
Sunday, April 19	1:30 p.m.	Manchester City vs. West Ham United	2-0
Sunday, April 19	4 p.m.	Newcastle United vs. Tottenham Hotspur	1-3

R	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Chelsea	31	22	7	2	64	26	+38	73
2	Arsenal	32	20	6	6	63	32	+31	66
3	Manchester United	32	19	8	5	59	30	+29	65
4	Manchester City	32	18	7	7	65	34	+31	61
5	Liverpool	32	17	6	9	47	36	+11	57
6	Southampton	32	17	5	10	44	22	+22	56
7	Tottenham	32	16	6	10	50	46	+4	54
8	Swansea	32	13	8	11	38	40	-2	47
9	West Ham	32	11	10	11	42	40	+2	43
10	Stoke	32	12	7	13	36	40	-4	43
11	Crystal Palace	32	11	9	12	42	43	-1	42
12	Everton	32	9	11	12	40	43	-3	38
13	Newcastle United	32	9	8	15	33	51	-18	35
14	West Bromwich Albion	32	8	9	15	30	46	-16	33
15	Aston Villa	33	8	8	17	24	45	-21	32
16	Sunderland	32	5	14	13	25	48	-23	29
17	Hull	32	6	10	16	29	45	-16	28
18	Queens Park Rangers	33	7	5	21	38	59	-21	26
19	Burnley	32	5	11	16	26	50	-24	26
20	Leicester	31	6	7	18	32	51	-19	25

Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United

Jon Super/Associated Press

It’s been a startling turnaround in fortunes for Marouane Fellaini at Manchester United. The burly Belgian was emblematic of all the problems that gripped the Red Devils during David Moyes’ tenure, but under the tutelage of Louis van Gaal, he’s grown into a vital part of the team and the key man in their recent renaissance.

As noted by Squawka Football in the wake of United’s 4-2 victory over Manchester City, Fellaini’s influence has been so important as of late:

While Moyes—perhaps concerned about his own reputation—was tentative in playing to the Belgian’s strengths, Van Gaal has had no issues when it comes to going direct into the midfielder. It doesn’t make United a long ball team by any means, but the presence of Fellaini in advanced areas gives this Red Devils team a physical dimension to their play.

In the left channel against City, Fellaini wreaked havoc by trapping the ball on his chest and bringing others into play. From crosses into the box and set pieces, he’s a major aerial threat too, as his goal showcased in the aforementioned fixture.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Tasked with marking him at Stamford Bridge could be the uncompromising Branislav Ivanovic; a potential battle Barney Ronay of the Guardian is very much looking forward to:

Jose Mourinho will surely have a plan to try to nullify the Belgian’s influence, but at his best he’s an indomitable force. Given how key he’s been to United in recent weeks, it’s imperative Chelsea figure out a way to shut him down, but expect the Red Devils to utilise Fellaini’s skill set and take a point back up North for their efforts.

Esteban Cambiasso, Leicester City

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

While Fellaini’s recent contributions have been rather obvious, at Leicester City the recent displays turned in by Esteban Cambiasso have been comparably understated. Nonetheless, the former Internazionale man has been crucial in the Foxes picking up back-to-back wins and giving themselves a fighting chance of avoiding the drop.

As noted by the club’s official Twitter feed, Cambiasso picked up the man-of-the-match award for Leicester as they toppled West Ham United, before playing a key role in the 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion too:

The Argentine may be 34 years old, and he may not have the legs that made him such a force at the heart of Inter for so many years, but his experience has been so important for Leicester. Cambiasso links the play superbly, can pick a pass and is so assured when it comes to snuffing out danger. He’s even chipped in with some critical goals this season, too.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

But perhaps most impressively for this decorated midfielder is the hunger he has preserved despite the honours he’s accrued in the game. As noted by John Bennett of BBC, it’s been to Leicester’s benefit:

You suspect if the Foxes are going to drag themselves out of trouble, Cambiasso’s influence is going to be very important. After all, he knows what’s required to triumph in big matches and is an extremely steady head under immense pressure.

Against Swansea City, the Argentina star will have a massive role to play. The Welsh club love to dominate possession and it’ll be up to Cambiasso to break up play and get the Foxes moving forward. If he can set the tone in midfield with another multifaceted performance, Leicester look primed to make it three in a row in the Premier League.