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Premier League: Preview, predicted lineups and predictions of ‘Matchday 33’ Saturday fixtures

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Premier League: Preview, predicted lineups and predictions of ‘Matchday 33’ Saturday fixtures
Premier League: Preview, predicted lineups and predictions of ‘Matchday 33’ Saturday fixtures

New Delhi: The Premier League season is hurtling towards its climax, with just five crucial matchdays remaining. As the action from Matchday 33 unfolds, teams are locked in intense battles for vital points, desperately seeking to improve their final standings. The race for coveted European spots is particularly fierce, with several clubs vying for a top-five finish to secure qualification for the Champions League. 

As the action intensifies, the weekend matches are set to bring more excitement with four crucial fixtures kicking off tonight. But before the action begins, let’s take a closer look at which teams hold the upper hand.

Brentford vs Brighton (7:30 pm IST)

Brentford will be aiming to snap their dismal home run when they host Brighton & Hove Albion tonight in a mid-table Premier League clash. The Bees have not tasted victory at the Gtech Community Stadium since December, and their last nine matches there have yielded no wins and just four goals. The same number they scored in their last home triumph, a 4-2 win over Newcastle United. Bees’ recent 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates came as a surprise to many, especially with Mikel Arteta rotating heavily between Champions League fixtures. Brentford went behind to a well-worked goal by Thomas Partey but Yoane Wissa responded with his 15th goal of the season. 

On the other hand, Brighton were left frustrated by relegation-threatened Leicester City last weekend. Joao Pedro converted two penalties but each time the Seagulls were pegged back by Ruud van Nistelrooy’s men. The 2-2 draw halted a three-game losing streak, but defensive issues remain a major concern as the Seagulls have now conceded at least two goals in four straight league games. The last two Premier League meetings between these sides ended 0-0. If history repeats, it would be the first time since 2002 that a fixture ended goalless in three consecutive top-flight meetings.

Brentford: Flekken; Kayode, Collins, Van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Norgaard; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa

Brighton: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Brighton

West Ham vs Southampton (7:30 pm IST)

West Ham United are set to welcome already relegated Southampton tonight, hoping to end a five-game winless Premier League streak. Graham Potter’s side, despite recent struggles, sit 14 points clear of the relegation zone and could all but secure top-flight survival with a win. The Hammers were moments away from an impressive point at Anfield last week before Virgil van Dijk’s late header sealed a 2-1 defeat. It was Potter’s sixth loss in 12 league matches, yet his side still remains within striking distance of a mid-table finish, just three points off Everton in 13th. However, West Ham’s recent home form has been a concern with just two wins in their last seven matches at the London Stadium and four games without scoring.

Meanwhile, Southampton will arrive with nothing to lose. Already relegated and having parted ways with Ivan Juric, the Saints suffered a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa last time out. Interim boss Simon Rusk has a tough task ahead, with the club having lost 26 of 32 league games, which is the most in their history and staring at the possibility of becoming one of the Premier League’s worst-ever teams.

West Ham: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Scarles; Soucek, Ward-Prowse; Bowen, Kudus, Paqueta; Fullkrug

Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens; Walker-Peters, Downes, Ugochukwu, Manning; Fernandes, Dibling; Archer

Prediction: West Ham 2-0 Southampton

Everton vs Manchester City (7:30 pm IST)

Manchester City will head to Goodison Park on Saturday with eyes firmly set on securing a top-five Premier League finish. Pep Guardiola’s men responded to a rocky start against Crystal Palace last weekend with a five-star comeback led by Kevin De Bruyne, cruising to a 5-2 win and reclaiming a spot in the top five. Despite scoring over 100 goals across all competitions this season, City’s away form has dipped. Their recent record at Goodison Park is formidable—eight straight wins, scoring at least twice in seven of those visits.

On the other hand, Everton are riding a resurgence under David Moyes. Since his return in January, the Toffees have climbed from near relegation to 13th, 17 points clear of danger. A win on Saturday could mathematically secure their survival. Moyes’ side are unbeaten in their last six home league games, although their last four have ended in draws. One more would be a historic fifth straight home stalemate, something they have never done.

Everton: Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Gueye, Garner; Harrison, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto

Man City: Ortega; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Gundogan, Bernardo; Savinho, Marmoush, De Bruyne

Prediction: Everton 1-2 Man City 

Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth (7:30 pm IST)

Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park tonight as they look to steady the ship after back-to-back away thrashings. The Eagles shipped 10 goals in their last two matches, 5-2 at Manchester City and 5-0 at Newcastle, prompting manager Oliver Glasner to urge his side to “throw it in the bin.” Defensive calamities including Marc Guehi’s own goal for the second time against Newcastle this season, have left Palace reeling and 12th in the table. With European hopes now out of reach, the focus shifts to restoring pride at home, where they’ve won four in a row and scored in each of their last 12 matches.

On the other hand, Bournemouth arrive in contrasting spirits, having ended a six-game winless run with a gritty 1-0 victory over Fulham. Antoine Semenyo’s early strike and Kepa Arrizabalaga’s heroics sealed a vital three points that kept the Cherries in the hunt for a potential top-seven finish. They are currently eighth in the standings and are still six points off European qualification with just six games remaining and the second-best away goal tally in the league with 32 goals. Their recent defensive solidity against Palace, including a goalless draw on Boxing Day, adds another layer of intrigue to this fixture.

Crystal Palace: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell; Eze, Kamada; Mateta

Bournemouth: Kepa; Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanilson

Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-2 Bournemouth

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United (10 pm IST)

Aston Villa is still nursing the heartbreak of a dramatic Champions League elimination, needs to regroup as they will host high-flying Newcastle United at Villa Park tonight. Unai Emery’s side showed grit and character in their epic comeback against Paris Saint-Germain, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory on the night. But Gianluigi Donnarumma’s heroics between the posts denied Villa a crucial fourth goal, sending PSG through 5-4 on aggregate. They are currently seventh in the standings and are just behind Chelsea on goal difference and a point shy of the Champions League places. With five straight Premier League wins and an unbeaten run of 18 home games in all competitions, the Lions still boast fortress-like form at Villa Park, even if clean sheets have been a rarity.

Meanwhile, Newcastle will arrive with the momentum of their own. With Eddie Howe absent, assistant Jason Tindall led the Magpies to a stunning 5-0 win over Crystal Palace, extending their winning streak to six across all competitions. Goals from Isak, Barnes, Murphy, Schar, and a Guehi own goal reflected their ruthless attacking prowess. The visitors remain just four points off second and, while the title may be a pipe dream, Champions League qualification is within reach.

Aston Villa: Martinez; Konsa, Torres, Disasi, Maatsen; Kamara, Tielemans; Rogers, McGinn, Rashford; Watkins

Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Southampton

Where to watch Premier League Matchday 33 fixtures? 

As Premier League Matchday 33 kicks off today at 7:30 pm, fans can watch the action live either on television or by streaming. The matches will be available on the Star Sports network and those who prefer to stream can catch the games live on Disney+ Hotstar.

 Check out the detailed preview and predicted lineups of Premier League Matchday 33 Saturday fixtures, where top teams prepare for intense battles. Also, find out where to watch the Premier League’s matchday 33 fixtures.  Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today

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