EPL Predictions: Picks, Top Players for Week 32 Premier League Fixtures
The race for a top-four finish in the Premier League has a few twists and turns in store in Week 32.
Everton, Arsenal and Manchester United should all secure vital wins, with the latter likely to push Sunderland and former manager David Moyes one step closer to relegation.
The Red Devils will no doubt welcome an away trip to the north-east given their recent struggles at Old Trafford, where the club has drawn its last two matches.
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Not surprisingly, both United and Arsenal will again be heavily reliant on their star strikers. For United, it will mean another prolific outing for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who should toy with the Black Cats defence.
Meanwhile, the Gunners will need wantaway Alexis Sanchez at his best to thwart a Crystal Palace side picking up some strong results lately, notably beating prospective champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Speaking of the title, the Blues can stay in control of the race by winning in Bournemouth, yet Tottenham Hotspur should keep the pressure on with a victory at home over Watford. Meanwhile, Manchester City are set to keep their own top-four bid on track by once again being inspired by the vision and flair of playmaker David Silva against Hull City.
Here are the fixtures for Week 32, along with picks and predictions:
| Date | Time (BST/ET) | Match | Pick | Prediction |
| Saturday, April 8 | 12:30 p.m./7:30 a.m. | Tottenham Hotspur vs. Watford | Spurs | 2-1 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Manchester City vs. Hull City | Manchester City | 4-2 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Middlesbrough vs. Burnley | Draw | 0-0 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | Stoke City vs. Liverpool | Draw | 1-1 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Southampton | West Brom | 1-0 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 3 p.m./10 a.m. | West Ham United vs. Swansea City | Draw | 2-2 |
| Saturday, April 8 | 5:30 p.m./12:30 p.m. | Bournemouth vs. Chelsea | Chelsea | 1-3 |
| Sunday, April 9 | 1:30 p.m./8:30 a.m. | Sunderland vs. Manchester United | United | 0-2 |
| Sunday, April 9 | 4 p.m./11 a.m. | Everton vs. Leicester City | Everton | 3-2 |
| Monday, April 10 | 8 p.m./3 p.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Arsenal | Arsenal | 1-2 |
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
It took Ibrahimovic just one game to show how much United missed him during his recent suspension. The Swedish attacker converted a 94th-minute penalty on his first game back from a three-game ban to earn the Red Devils a point against Everton at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The successful spot-kick confirmed how reliant United are on Ibrahimovic in the Premier League, per Squawka Football:
Ibrahimovic got back among the goals, but his penalty did little to improve United's chances of finishing in the top four—not after a ninth draw at home this season.
It's no wonder Ibrahimovic, who is out of contract at the end of the season, has left the door open regarding a move to MLS side LA Galaxy, per James Ducker of the Daily Telegraph: "Probably I have one, two, three years so everything depends on what you want and what the club wants, what the vision of the club is because I said from Day 1 I didn't come here to waste time. I came here to win. If you want to win bigger, then you have to create bigger."
It looks increasingly like United will have to guarantee UEFA Champions League football for Ibrahimovic to stick around another year. The Manchester club could also still qualify for Europe's elite club tournament by winning this season's UEFA Europa League.
However, finishing among the top four would also strengthen belief United can compete for the Premier League title next term.
Sunderland and Moyes would likely just settle for still being involved in England's top flight next season. It's more and more credible that the Black Cats will be playing in the Championship instead since they sit bottom and 10 points from safety.
David Silva
Like Sunderland, Hull need points any way they can get them. It's why manager Marco Silva is likely to set the Tigers up to frustrate the Citizens at the Etihad Stadium.
Expect Hull to pack midfield, sit deep in numbers and look to counter quickly. The same approach earned them a point against United following a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford back in February.
Hull's resistance will demand City exploit the few spaces likely to be available between the lines. Fortunately, Silva can still find space among the tightest defences.
The 31-year-old has been outstanding this season as the creative hub of a team loaded with players who like to run in behind. Those players, including precocious wide forwards Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, need stylish and consistent supply.
Fortunately, Silva is one of the most astute passers in the game, with a knack for threading the ball at angles between defenders to meet well-timed runs. The pint-sized Spaniard often doesn't get the credit he deserves, according to Andy Dunn of the Daily Mirror.
Dunn believes Silva's numbers don't tell the whole story about his brilliance in England's top flight, saying:
"Stats do not show a range of passing that is remarkable. Stats do not show a weight of passing that continually presses perfection. Nor can you measure the fearlessness he brings to his team. Silva does not fear taking possession in the tightest of areas, or when shadowed by one or even a couple of opponents.
"
The last line epitomises how Silva will help City break down Hull and keep United and Arsenal chasing.
Manager Pep Guardiola conceded the title after Wednesday's 2-1 loss at Chelsea, per Tom Williams of AFP, but he knows it's all about Champions League qualification:
Expect City to get back on track with a victory over the resurgent Tigers.
Alexis Sanchez
He still hasn't signed a new contract and continues to be linked with a host of top clubs, but Sanchez remains Arsenal's main match-winner. Some reporters have speculated that Sanchez favours a summer move to London rivals Chelsea, including Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph.
Meanwhile, Jason Burt of the Daily Telegraph reported that Paris Saint-Germain have increased their interest.
The Arsenal No. 7's future may lie away from Arsenal, but he can still determine how successful the north London club is this season. Specifically, his goals and creativity can fire the Gunners back into the top four and continue their lengthy streak of qualifying for the Champions League.
Sanchez has the pace and trickery to flummox the Palace back line from a variety of positions. The ex-Barcelona forward has returned to the left flank recently after playing centre-forward for most of this season.
The Chilean's ability to combine with Mesut Ozil and Theo Walcott could prove decisive in a game in which attack will be Arsenal's best form of defence. The Gunners' suspect back four will struggle to contain a Palace attack led by mercurial winger Wilfried Zaha and bullish centre-forward Christian Benteke.
The Gunners will stay in the thick of the top-four race in Week 32 but won't create a gap over rivals Everton and United, neither of whom is not prepared to give up on their own Champions League dreams just yet.
