Chris Sutton‘s Premier League score predictions have been revealed for the next batch of fixtures for the 2024/25 season.
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 round of fixtures, Sutton will take on Liverpool fan and winner of Channel 4 series ‘The Piano’, Brad Kella.
NEWCASTLE v ARSENAL
This is a bit of a grudge match after what happened when Arsenal came to St James’ Park last season and lost to a controversial Anthony Gordon goal.
Newcastle are on a run of five league games without a win, but they have been a little unlucky during that spell. They are creating plenty of chances, but just not scoring enough of them.
I worry about Arsenal in the final third too, though, because they are wasteful as well.
The Gunners really need a win here to cling on to the tail of leaders Manchester City, but my gut feeling is that Newcastle will get something out of this game, and it has got a draw written all over it.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Brad’s prediction: I need Arsenal to lose this game but I’m not sure Newcastle will beat them, so I’m hoping for a draw. 2-2
BOURNEMOUTH v MAN CITY
This is another hard one to call. Manchester City’s performances just have not been there of late, but they are still finding a way to beat teams every week and I am not sure what is going to be different this time.
I don’t think this is going to be easy for City, who are missing a few players though injury, but you have to remember how good they are at getting over the line in games like this.
So, although I am backing Bournemouth to score, I still expect City to edge this one. Southampton, Wolves and Fulham have all run the champions close recently, and all of them still lost. It could be the same story for the Cherries, too.
They are likely to be a lot more ambitious than Saints were at the Etihad Stadium, and that could suit City. Bournemouth are a team who get plenty of shots off and we saw what they did to Arsenal a couple of weeks ago, but that will leave more space for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Brad’s prediction: I want a Bournemouth win and I think they can get one. Rodri has been a massive loss for City since he got injured and they have got a few other players out too. 2-1
IPSWICH v LEICESTER
I said last week that I was never going to predict another Ipswich win again this season, but I have changed my mind.
I have got to say that they were very unlucky to lose against Brentford last time out. They deserved more from that game.
I know Alan Shearer highlighted on Match of the Day how bad their stats are – they are ranked last in the Premier League for shots, expected goals and touches in opposition box, and second-last for shots on target, goals conceded and errors leading to goals, but they started so well in that game, going 2-0 up.
To then find themselves trailing 3-2 and down to 10 men is bad enough, but then they got themselves level late on, before being beaten in stoppage time when Bryan Mbeumo’s cross crept in. That kind of defeat is going to be tough for them to take.
I am not absolutely convinced about Leicester either but, if Ipswich don’t win this time, then I am not sure what it will do to their confidence.
Life in the top flight has been difficult enough for them so far, and I think they are going down anyway, but unless they get three points soon you start to wonder whether they will beat anyone.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Brad’s prediction: I like Leicester and they can win there, I think they’ve got to. 1-2
LIVERPOOL v BRIGHTON
I am at Anfield with Ian Dennis on Saturday to cover this game for BBC Radio 5 Live, and I am looking forward to it.
It has not been a great week for Brighton, who threw victory away against Wolves last weekend, conceding a 93rd minute equaliser, then lost at home to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Going to Anfield will be even harder for them. Liverpool dropped points against Arsenal in their last league game, but I can’t see that happening here – Brighton will cause them problems but they can’t afford to slip up, and they won’t.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Brad ‘s prediction: No messing about here! 3-0
Brad on the Anfield effect: It does seem to lift the team’s performance when we are at home – there’s a reason we are renowned for doing that. When I go to home games, it sometimes feels like a whole different team is playing compared to what they are like away. That’s the Anfield effect, and even the stadium itself is like a beacon in our city.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v WEST HAM
West Ham got a good result against Manchester United last week which will have done them a lot of good, but I still feel they were fortunate to win that game.
I’m not talking about their late penalty that gave them victory, more the fact United should have been out of sight by half-time. So, am I convinced the Hammers have turned thing round under Julen Lopetegui? No, not at all.
In contrast, Nottingham Forest are flying and I really like the way they are playing this season – they have a nice balance to their team.
I was born in Nottingham and used to support Forest as a kid and, the way they are playing, I am going to go back to supporting them.
You can call me a fair weather fan if you want, but I like forests – I am a big fan of Sherwood on iPlayer too – and I like woods too, especially Chris Wood.
The ‘Wood-chopper’ is one of the most under-rated strikers of the Premier League era. I am backing him to score again, and Forest to win again.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Brad’s prediction: Forest are doing well and they should win this. 1-0
SOUTHAMPTON v EVERTON
Everton’s late equaliser against Fulham helped get me a predictions win last week, and I am going for another 1-1 draw this time too.
The way both teams approach the game is interesting. Sean Dyche’s side have got the nous and are streetwise, while Southampton are viewed by many as being naive and playing fantasy football, with their style of play under Russell Martin.
You look at the games that Saints have thrown away – like they did against Leicester and Ipswich – and you feel like Dyche will have hope on Saturday even if his side are trailing late on.
I really enjoyed seeing Dyche put centre-half Michael Keane up as a makeshift centre-forward to mix things up against Fulham, and his Everton team never lie down, which is why I think they will get something out of this game too.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
WOLVES v CRYSTAL PALACE
Southampton are finding out just how brutal the Premier League is, and the same applies for Wolves.
Like Saints, they are winless but they have been playing pretty well and maybe Matheus Cunha’s stoppage-time equaliser for them against Brighton will be the moment they turn their season around.
I don’t think Wolves will lose this game, but the question is will they win it? I worry about them conceding goals and Crystal Palace are likely to have a bit more confidence going forward after their win over Tottenham on Sunday, when Eberechi Eze played really well.
So, what do I go for here? It is going to be close, but I am going to say Gary O’Neil’s side will finally win, and keep a clean sheet too.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Brad’s prediction: I’m not sure about this. Wolves need a win but I really don’t see them getting it. I just have a feeling for Palace. 0-2
TOTTENHAM v ASTON VILLA
The away team won on both occasions when these two sides met last season, and you could make a case for Tottenham or Aston Villa coming out on top here.
I do like the way Spurs play but they could do with having Son Heung-min fit – he has missed three of their past four league games – and they have a few other injuries too.
Whoever is missing, though, Ange Postecoglou will not change his bullish approach. I admire that, and I find it amazing the way people view Spurs at the moment.
They have won eight of their past 10 games in all competitions, which is pretty good I think, but there is always this underlying ‘Spursy’ or ‘typical Spurs’ label they get given whenever they slip up.
That could happen here, of course. Spurs will dominate the ball this time too, but I have got no doubt that Villa will score, because they carry such a threat and their front players will definitely have their moments in this game.
So, there will definitely be plenty of goals… but maybe there won’t be a winner this time – Tottenham have not had a draw since the first game of the season, and I think they will get one here.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
Brad’s prediction: Villa have started the season really well and Tottenham are very up and down… but I am giving this one to Spurs. 2-0
MAN UTD v CHELSEA
It looks like Ruben Amorim will be the new Manchester United manager but will not be arriving for a few weeks.
In the meantime, Ruud van Nistelrooy is in charge as interim boss and he enjoyed himself against Leicester in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
The Chelsea players will be well-rested because their team that lost to Newcastle in the same competition on Wednesday was totally different to the side that beat the Magpies in the league on Sunday.
But Newcastle did create chances against them last weekend and, when I saw Chelsea against Liverpool recently, they were brave at Anfield too.
I see Chelsea as being the superior team here and my head tells me they will win, but if they are quite open again at Old Trafford then that could suit Manchester United and let them get something.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Brad’s prediction: Chelsea have got this and I’m going for a Cole Palmer hat-trick. What a mistake it was by Pep Guardiola to sell him, because he is just unbelievable. 0-3
FULHAM v BRENTFORD
My first thought here was a Fulham win until I saw Brentford won this fixture 3-0 last season and, on closer inspection, they have a really good record at Craven Cottage.
They have played 12 games there since 1990 and won six and drawn five of them, so it seems to be one of their luckier grounds.
I am going to stick with my instincts, though. Fulham were unlucky not to beat Everton last week and have impressed me when I’ve seen them this season. I have a feeling they will get the job done this time, although it is going to be close.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Brad’s prediction: They are right next to each other in the table, so this is going to be close… but I am going to give it to Brentford. 0-1
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