EPL Week 33 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Leicester City can take a step closer to winning the title by pushing Sunderland nearer to the relegation trapdoor in the Premier League.
Away from a game with obvious implications for both ends of the table, the top four could be in for a shakeup. The week's fixtures begin with sixth-placed West Ham United hosting Arsenal, whom they trail by seven points. Defeat would all but end the Hammers' hopes of finishing the season in the UEFA Champions League places.
An Arsenal win would give Manchester United extra motivation to get a result at White Hart Lane on Sunday. If the Red Devils can do it, they'll extinguish Tottenham Hotspur's hopes of a first title since 1961.
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Here's the full list of fixtures, along with picks:
| Date | Time (BST / ET) | Match | Picks |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 12:45 p.m. / 7:45 a.m. | West Ham United vs. Arsenal | Draw |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Aston Villa vs. Bournemouth | Draw |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Norwich City | Palace |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Southampton vs. Newcastle United | Draw |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Swansea City vs. Chelsea | Chelsea |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 3 p.m. / 10 a.m. | Watford vs. Everton | Everton |
| Saturday, Apr. 9 | 5:30 p.m. / 12: 30 p.m. | Manchester City vs. West Bromwich Albion | City |
| Sunday, Apr. 10 | 1:30 p.m. / 8:30 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Leicester City | City |
| Sunday, Apr. 10 | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | Liverpool vs. Stoke City | Liverpool |
| Sunday, Apr. 10 | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Manchester United | Draw |
Dimitri Payet, West Ham United
Few players have generated as much excitement or memorable moments in England's top flight this season than West Ham forward Dimitri Payet. Signed for around £10 million from Olympique de Marseille last summer, the creative forward has proved the definition of a true bargain.
The France international has scored nine times and assisted eight more goals in the league, according to WhoScored.com. His most recent contribution was a beautifully struck free-kick in a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
Payet is the attacking player with freedom in manager Slaven Bilic's ordered side. That free role could cause problems to an Arsenal team that's had trouble tracking runners in the final third at times this season.
Mohamed Elneny, Arsenal
Arsenal's best way of stopping Payet will be to keep the ball away from him. One player crucial to that approach will be cerebral midfield man Mohamed Elneny.
An astute January signing by manager Arsene Wenger, the Egyptian pass-master has brought a steady efficiency to the Gunners' possession game. It's a quality Elneny exemplified in the recent 4-0 win over Watford, per the club's official site:
Elneny's partnership with the more destructive-minded Francis Coquelin at the base of midfield has provided Arsenal with balance and solidity. It's no coincidence the Gunners have kept consecutive clean sheets with these two patrolling the middle.
The title is out of reach for Wenger's men, but nailing down a spot in the top three and automatic qualification for the Champions League remains a priority.
Securing a notable away win over the side that stunned them 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the season's first week, would be a positive step toward reaching that goal.
Robert Huth, Leicester City
The goals of Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez kick-started Leicester's title bid, but the final push is being powered by a rock-solid defence.
Squawka has detailed how well keeping the door closed at the back has served the Foxes recently:
Skipper and centre-back Wes Morgan was the match-winner against Southampton, but his fellow central defender Robert Huth is the real key figure in Leicester's back four.
The burly German wins everything in the air thanks to the way he aggressively attacks the ball. But Huth is also underrated on the deck, consistently thwarting raids into the Leicester box with superbly timed tackles.
Another stubborn showing from Huth, Morgan and Co. can push the Foxes to the brink of winning the title. BBC Sport's Match of the Day detailed how that achievement is not too far away:
Jermain Defoe, Sunderland
The main danger Huth will focus on will be veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe. The 33-year-old has lost none of his instincts in the box, nor quality when chances come his way.
Defoe has struck 12 league goals for the Black Cats, per WhoScored.com. He's still quick enough at close quarters to get around Huth and Morgan and cause Leicester problems, provided Sunderland can give him the right service.
The Black Cats need the points, so they can't be wowed by the Foxes' lofty standing. Desperation should at least prompt Sunderland to match Leicester for fight and effort.
In a tense game with this much at stake, expect both sides to do all they can to take something from it.
The picture at the top and bottom will become a lot clearer after Week 33. Either Leicester's grasp on the title will become firmer or Sunderland's survival chances will earn a major boost.
Meanwhile, the established order of the top four will never be more likely to receive a genuine shakeup.
