EPL Week 33 Predictions: Premier League Picks, Key Players and Fixtures
Tottenham Hotspur have the chance to heap pressure on Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday, as Mauricio Pochettino's men host AFC Bournemouth in the lunchtime kick-off.
Spurs have been sensational at White Hart Lane this term, and a win over the Cherries would see them close down the gap to the Blues to just four points. That'd make Chelsea's trip to Old Trafford on Sunday a fascinating fixture.
Elsewhere, Liverpool face a tricky test away at West Bromwich Albion, as do Manchester City at Southampton. Arsenal need to respond after their appalling performance against Crystal Palace on Monday too, as they visit struggling Middlesbrough in the final fixture of the weekend.
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Here are the games in full for Week 33 and a look at three players with the potential to decide the match for their respective sides.
| Saturday, April 15 | 12:30 p.m. | Tottenham vs. Bournemouth | 3-0 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 3 p.m. | Crystal Palace vs. Leicester City | 2-2 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 3 p.m. | Everton vs. Burnley | 3-1 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 3 p.m. | Sunderland vs. West Ham | 1-1 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 3 p.m. | Stoke City vs. Hull City | 2-1 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 3 p.m. | Watford vs. Swansea City | 1-0 |
| Saturday, April 15 | 5:30 p.m. | Southampton vs. Manchester City | 1-2 |
| Sunday, April 16 | 1:30 p.m. | West Bromwich Albion vs. Liverpool | 1-2 |
| Sunday, April 16 | 4 p.m. | Manchester United vs. Chelsea | 1-1 |
| Monday, April 17 | 8 p.m. | Middlesbrough vs. Arsenal | 0-1 |
Dele Alli, Tottenham
With Harry Kane absent in recent weeks, Tottenham's other attacking stars have had to take on more responsibility. It's a challenge Alli has relished.
The 21-year-old has been playing high up the pitch and is making regular contributions in the final third for the London club. His stunning strike in the 4-0 win over Watford was indicative of a young man playing with freedom and confidence at the moment.
To be making such a consistent impression on Premier League matches at such a young age is remarkable. As we can see here, he's made incredible progress:
If Tottenham are to stand any chance of cutting down the gap at the top of the table, Alli needs to keep up this golden touch in front of goal. And the game against Bournemouth seems to be tailor-made for his talents.
The visitors are always enterprising in their outlook and that should make for an entertaining game. However, Alli should also find space at will and once he locates those pockets, he's so difficult to contain.
Roberto Firmino, Liverpool
With Liverpool struggling to break down a determined Stoke City team last weekend, manager Jurgen Klopp called on Philippe Coutinho and Firmino off the bench. The duo struck in quick succession to overturn the Potters' advantage and grab a massive three points.
Firmino scored the second in the 2-1 win with a stunning strike. The Brazilian, revered for his intensity and aggression off the ball, showed brilliant technique to hammer home a bouncing ball from the edge of the area.
As noted by sports writer Jack Lusby, after a lull in the early part of 2017, the versatile forward has rediscovered his spark again:
You suspect the Brazilian will lead the line for the Reds when they visit the Hawthorns. That'll pose Firmino with a very difficult challenge against a side that are uncompromising in their defensive tenacity.
There will be times in the game when, up against centre-backs like Jonny Evans and Gareth McAuley, Firmino will be kicked and clattered into. But at an extremely difficult venue, his insatiable appetite for the game and ability to make contributions can help the Reds to another away win.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United
Although Manchester United's priority may well be the UEFA Europa League at this stage of the season, manager Jose Mourinho will not want to see his players give up their pursuit of a top-four spot quite yet.
And if they can beat Chelsea, it'd be a massive boost for this team in what is poised to be a busy end to the campaign. The United players, once again, will be looking to Ibrahimovic to fire them to victory against the leaders.
Against Sunderland, the veteran showed why he's such an asset, taking the ball with his back to goal, spinning and hammering in a low shot. It was a crucial opening goal in a game in which United had toiled.
Per the MailOnline Sport Twitter feed, the Red Devils No. 9 seems to be getting better and better with age:
Chelsea's defensive setup has been fantastic this season, with David Luiz marshalling the team magnificently at the heart of a back three. His battle with Ibrahimovic will be a spectacle to savour.
There'll be an onus on the United talisman to give his side a foothold in this one; he'll need to work the channels, hold the ball up and knit attacks together. And crucially, as he has done so well since his arrival in the Premier League, when a chance does arise, Ibrahimovic must be ruthless.
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