Chris Sutton‘s Premier League and FA Cup Final score predictions for this week have been revealed and as always he’s joined by a guest.
The BBC pundit replaced Mark Lawrenson in trying to correctly pick the correct scores for every game against a variety of guests.
Nottingham born Chris Sutton played as a striker for the likes of Norwich, Blackburn, Chelsea, Celtic, Birmingham, Aston Villa, Wroxham and England, before managing Lincoln City.
For this week, he takes on Man City fans in Tom Ogden and drummer Joe Donovan of the band Blossoms., and Chelsea fan Songer, a rapper. AI predictions are also generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat.
ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL
Aston Villa have got the Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday so what will Unai Emery do here?
The last time Villa had a big European game coming up, against Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals earlier this month, Emery made seven changes against Tottenham and his team were awful.
This time? Villa need to build a bit of momentum before they head to Istanbul, so he cannot do the same again – if he does, they will lose momentum, not build it.
Liverpool are hardly flying at the moment either, though, and like Villa they are not guaranteed a top-five finish yet.
A draw feels like the most likely outcome but making predictions at this stage of the season is almost impossible because of the different things that can skew the results. If it was down to me the predictions from the last two weeks of the season would not count towards the table.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Songer’s prediction: Both teams have been struggling a bit recently but Liverpool’s momentum has completely disappeared, so I’ll go with Villa. 2-1
Tom’s prediction: I think Villa might do them. 1-0
Joe’s prediction: Are we doing combined scores? I’m happy to be competitive! 0-1
AI’s prediction: 1-2
CHELSEA v MAN CITY
Pep rested players in midweek when City beat Crystal Palace and left Erling Haaland out, much to the annoyance of Fantasy Premier League managers.
Haaland will be back in the team at Wembley, though, and he will benefit from the rest, along with the likes of Rayan Cherki.
Chelsea have been patchy all season and if they have one of their bad days, then this could get a bit messy for them.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-5
Songer on Chelsea‘s squad: We’ve got some unbelievable players and there are still new levels for them to reach. Joao Pedro for example, is such a talent, and all the way through the team there are sparks like that… but even the players who do look like they are top-level, they just seem to be lacking something when they play for us.
The same way the fans are not convinced by the owners’ strategy , it doesn’t feel like the players are buying into the project either. They just don’t seem too bothered about what is going on. The model of investing in youth is all well and good if we have got Estevao playing but now he is injured and with all due respect many of the other youngsters we’ve bought are not ready to start for one of the best clubs in the league and it just feels like, as soon as they are, they will get sold – and this will be a neverending issue.
Songer’s prediction: Despite everything that is going on at Chelsea, I am still going to back my boys. It would just be the most ‘Chelsea’ thing ever if we turn up at Wembley after being so poor for so long and give us a glimmer of hope that we are back, when we are definitely not. This is not going to be a goal fest – instead it will be very tense and very tight and I am going for to win it. 2-1
Tom: I do think City will win this if we turn up, but we have to make sure we turn up this time.
Joe: Whenever you do these predictions, you always say something like that – you are confident about every other score, except City’s!
Tom’s prediction: Pep is going to play all the big-hitters so I am pretty confident. 0-3
Joe’s prediction: I am going to be boring and agree with Tom. I can see us scoring three as well. 0-3
AI’s prediction: 1-2
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MAN UTD v NOTTINGHAM FOREST
This is a proper dead rubber, with Nottingham Forest safe now, and Manchester United guaranteed a Champions League spot.
That makes it harder to call but United boss Michael Carrick will still be desperate for a strong end of the season and retain the feel-good factor at Old Trafford.
Nottingham Forest won’t want to let their season just peter out, either, but the pressure is off them now and, because of that, I am backing United here – this game is more important to them than it is to Forest.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Songer’s prediction: All of a sudden Old Trafford feels like a very happy place to be, which shows how quickly things can change. 2-1
Tom’s prediction: United will win this. 2-0
Joe’s prediction: Yeah I am going to say the same this time – it will keep my United fans happy. 2-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
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BRENTFORD v CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace are going to keep on prioritising the Europa Conference League – their manager Oliver Glasner has already been talking about it.
So even if Glasner does not start with an obviously weakened line-up, he is managing the minutes for his players and everything is being done with an eye on the game with Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on 27 May.
In contrast, Brentford’s focus is on their league position and making it into Europe for the first time in their history.
Because of all that, I am backing Brentford here. Palace beat the Bees at Selhurst Park in November, but they are not getting anything on Sunday.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Songer’s prediction: My missus is a Brentford fan so I very much keep an eye on them, and I am going to back them here too. 2-0
Tom’s prediction: I can see Brentford getting a good win here. 3-1
Joe’s prediction: I know Brentford are going for the Champions League but I still fancy Palace to nick this. 0-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
EVERTON v SUNDERLAND
These sides are both in mid-table, and they have both gone a few weeks without winning now.
Performance-wise, they have not been terrible, but their results have tailed off a bit.
Everton have shipped a few goals recently, though and I can see David Moyes wanting them to get back to keeping a clean sheet.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Songer’s prediction: Everton to edge it. 1-0
Tom’s prediction: Not much excitement here. 1-1
Joe’s prediction: I’m saying Everton to win, but a boring game. 1-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
LEEDS v BRIGHTON
A lot has changed about Leeds since they got thumped by Brighton at Amex Stadium in November.
This will be a lot closer, and because of that it is also a lot harder to call.
I’ve been getting my Brighton predictions wrong for most of the season and I am not exactly confident that this will be the week when that changes.
I was tempted to back the Seagulls here because they are in good form and can still make sixth spot, but Leeds are playing well too and they were unlucky not to beat Tottenham on Monday.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Songer’s prediction: Both of these teams are in decent form. Leeds are safe and Brighton are in and around the European spots. 1-1
Tom’s prediction: Brighton to score but Leeds will win. 2-1
Joe’s prediction: This is Leeds’ last home game of the season and I think they take this one. 2-0
AI’s prediction: 2-1
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WOLVES v FULHAM
Fulham beat Wolves comfortably at Craven Cottage earlier in the season.
Marco Silva’s side are in mid-table and, as the saying goes, ‘on the beach’ a bit… but even teams who are on the beach should beat Wolves.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Songer’s prediction: Wolves have nothing to play for now. 1-2
Tom’s prediction: This their last home game of the season so I feel like Wolves might try to sign off on a high note, to give their fans something back after a miserable few months and pull a win out of the bag. 2-0
Joe’s prediction: I think that too, just with a different outcome. Wolves will be 1-0 down but pull it back late on. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 1-1
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
NEWCASTLE v WEST HAM
I don’t feel sorry for West Ham after their defeat by Arsenal last week.
It was a foul on Gunners goalkeeper David Raya for their goal which was disallowed, and the fact they are in the relegation zone is because of the way they have played all season.
Now this is an enormous game for the Hammers, and it is an absolutely ‘must-win’ for them.
Newcastle were very poor when they lost at London Stadium in November and you wouldn’t say they are in much better form at the moment.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe realises the importance of finishing the season strongly for his own future, and I don’t see his side losing this.
West Ham will be absolutely desperate to get the win, but I am going for a draw and, if anyone does win it, it will be Newcastle.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Songer’s prediction: This is a pure hit and hope from me – I need West Ham to pull out something special here. Now that Arsenal looked nailed on to win the league, our entire season is about whether Spurs go down. Newcastle’s recent form has been dodgy but this prediction is based more on hope – the Hammers to get a last-minute winner. 1-2
Tom’s prediction: I am going with West Ham here. It’s going to be close though. 0-1
Joe’s prediction: I’m the same. I can’t see Newcastle not scoring in their last home game, but I can see West Ham scoring. It’s not that I want to see Tottenham get relegated either, although they do take six points off us most seasons. 1-2
AI’s prediction: 2-1
ARSENAL v BURNLEY
It is Arsenal’s title. They are not going to blow it now, against Burnley.
I can see it being quite a comfortable evening for the Gunners, actually. The home crowd will be nervous until they score but I can see Mikel Arteta’s side making an early breakthrough.
As much as Burnley are still scrapping, which they showed with their draw against Aston Villa last week, they have frustrated their own supporters much more than they have frustrated the opposition this season.
Arsenal are a much better team and, whether it comes from a set-play or open play, they will have too much for them.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Songer’s prediction: Burnley are not a team you can rest your hopes on to get something and stop Arsenal winning the title. 3-0
Tom’s prediction: Can we base this on what we want to happen, rather than what we think will happen? Yes? I am going to manifest it then. Strange things do happen. 0-1
Joe’s prediction: A Kyle Walker hat-trick. 0-3
AI’s prediction: 3-0
www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies
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