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Chris Sutton’s Premier League score predictions

Chris Sutton‘s Premier League and FA Cup Third Round score predictions have been revealed and as always he’s joined by some guests.

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 actor Rory Kinnear, star of new film Bank of Dave 2, and the real-life person his character is based on, Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick, often seen on ITV’s This Morning among other programmes.

BRENTFORD v MAN CITY

I was hoping Brentford would have a real go at the FA Cup this season, but they made a load of changes for their tie with Plymouth, and they ended up on the wrong end of the biggest shock of round three.

I can understand Bees’ manager Thomas Frank’s point of view, because he can argue his side have a busy schedule with some tough fixtures coming up – after this game, they host Liverpool on Saturday and I am there for Radio 5 Live.

He decided to give some fringe players an opportunity to get a game and impress him, against a struggling Championship team who had not won an away game all season, but it did not work out.

The Bees started the season with such a strong home record but Saturday’s defeat means they have lost their past three matches there.

Manchester City, meanwhile, are starting to build some better form again, and their big win over Salford City at the weekend was their third in a row.

I was a bit surprised about the news Kyle Walker could be leaving City. He has not had the best of seasons, but he has probably been the best right-back the Premier League has seen.

Walker has been a huge part of what City have achieved under Pep Guardiola and I would be sad to see him leave the Premier League if he does go abroad.

In terms of this game, I feel like City are on a bit of a roll. I’ve already done something which I promised I wouldn’t do in Fantasy Football, which is put Erling Haaland back in my team, and captained him.

It was a masterstroke from myself, and my assistant, because he scored twice in their last Premier League game against West Ham.

I am expecting Haaland to carry on his goalscoring form here, and I feel like City are going to edge it. I don’t think it will be easy, though, and I cannot see them keeping a clean sheet.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Rory’s prediction: I am hedging my bets here a little bit because City are slightly resurgent, and I don’t think they are done. 1-1

Dave’s prediction: I had a chat with my right-hand man David Henshaw about these predictions earlier, so this is a joint effort. I was going to say 0-0 but I think there will be goals. 1-1

CHELSEA v BOURNEMOUTH

This is going to be another close game. Chelsea really need to win it, after going four league games without a win.

It feels like the busy festive period has taken its toll on their young squad but they are not just going to give up on their title hopes, no matter how slim they are.

Bournemouth, who have gone eight league games unbeaten, are in much better form and I feel like I have doubted them too often when I have made my predictions this season.

The Cherries always create chances and score goals. I don’t think that will change much even with Evanilson and Enes Unal both out injured, but will they be quite as ruthless? I am not sure – but that could just be me being too cautious about backing them, again.

The other part of my thinking here is that Chelsea are going to return to winning ways at some point. They are at home, and they should have beaten Crystal Palace in their last league game, so they could click again here.

I just know that whichever way I go with this game, I am going to get it wrong. I suppose the safe bet is a draw, but I am not very confident about it.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Rory’s prediction: A few weeks ago you would have said this is an easy home win. Now? I am not so sure. Bournemouth might just nick a late equaliser. 1-1

Dave’s prediction: 2-1

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

WEST HAM v FULHAM

Graham Potter’s aim will be to win his first home game as West Ham boss, but I am not sure where his side’s goals are going to come from.

The Hammers were already short up front and now Nicklas Fullkrug has been sidelined by a hamstring injury. He was one of the players I said people should watch out for this season, but that has turned out the way most of my predictions do.

Fulham are a good team, but some of their recent results have been a bit strange.

They are eight league games unbeaten and safely into round four of the FA Cup but that run includes a couple of home draws, against Southampton and Ipswich, where I expected them to win.

I am still erring more towards a Fulham win than towards West Ham but, because Marco Silva’s side have turned into draw specialists, I am going to go for another draw here too.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Rory’s prediction: This is not straightforward either because West Ham are absolutely unpredictable. 1-1

Dave’s prediction: Fulham to win, definitely. 0-1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST v LIVERPOOL

Is it fair to say Liverpool have gone a little bit flat recently?

That is probably a bit harsh, because they only lost narrowly to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final, and they still should have beaten Manchester United in their last league game despite an underwhelming performance – they just weren’t ruthless enough.

Arne Slot’s side are still six points ahead of Arsenal and Forest, with a game in hand, but I think they could drop more points here too.

The Forest defence has been formidable and ‘The Wood Chopper’ [Chris Wood] up front has been superb. The likes of Morgan Gibbs-White have really impressed me as well.

Basically, this is going to be a very tight game with not many goals in it, and I am not going to back against Forest even if there are many ways where I think Liverpool might sneak a victory.

You have got to earn the right to win the Premier League, and Liverpool have done brilliantly so far.

When you are in a title race, there are always moments in the season where things can go against you a little bit, like they did against United, but they did not lose.

This might be a period where they do stumble a bit but the teams below them are going to have to really sustain their push.

That’s not really happened so far because Arsenal and Chelsea are both having a bit of a wobble. If Liverpool do drop more points here, those two sides really need to make the most of it.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Rory’s prediction: This is the game of the week. I heard on the radio that Forest have done the ‘Merseyside Double’ by beating Liverpool and Everton away in the same season for the first time since 1898-99, but I can’t see any chinks in Liverpool’s armour at the moment. 1-2

Dave’s prediction: David and I chatted about this for around 10 minutes, because we disagreed. I thought Liverpool were going to win and he wanted to go for a draw. I’ll go with what he said, because he did push for it. 1-1

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

EVERTON v ASTON VILLA

David Moyes is back in charge of Everton and has a really tough job on his hands. In terms of firepower, he is armed with a water pistol.

He has taken over a team which did not score enough goals under Sean Dyche. That was their biggest issue, and it is hard to see how Moyes can solve it with the same players that Dyche had.

With Jordan Pickford, James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite, Everton have got players who can hold them together at the back, but Moyes’ conundrum is to increase their attacking threat, and that is going to be a struggle, especially in these early days.

Armando Broja is injured again so maybe Moyes can get a tune out of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but that is something none of the the past few Everton managers have managed to do, and I have even seen him being linked with a move away.

I have got Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez in my Fantasy team, and I see him as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League, but they always seem to concede silly goals.

So it is possible to get at Villa, I just don’t see Everton managing it.

I don’t like talking about myself much but my last goal as a professional footballer was a clever header in a Villa win over a Moyes’ Everton team at Goodison Park, and I am going for the same outcome here.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-2

Rory’s prediction: This was the only Bank of Dave link, until Dyche got sacked. 1-2

Dave’s prediction: If Dyche was still in charge I’d want to say Everton will win, but Villa are going to take it. 1-2

LEICESTER v CRYSTAL PALACE

Leicester enjoyed a big win in the FA Cup but they are on a run of five successive defeats in the league and it feels like they have got to get something from this game.

It won’t be easy for the Foxes. Crystal Palace have been much improved in the past few weeks and have built a bit of momentum after only losing one of their past nine league games.

I definitely don’t see the Eagles losing this and although it will be tight, they are the team who I think will find a way of winning it, probably through Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Rory’s prediction: This was my anomaly because every instinct tells me Palace should win, but I have gone for a draw because there is always going to be one odd result each week. 2-2

Dave’s prediction: 0-1

NEWCASTLE v WOLVES

This is pretty straightforward as far as predictions go.

Newcastle are on for a domestic Treble this season – well, on current form anyway – and I don’t see their eight-game winning streak stopping here.

Wolves had made a good start under new boss Vitor Pereira but they had their bubble burst by Nottingham Forest in their last league game, and I don’t see them dealing with the Magpies’ firepower.

Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been great and Jacob Murphy is absolutely flying. I am really pleased for Murphy because a lot of people forget about him – but I haven’t, I have got him in my Fantasy team.

Sutton’s prediction: 3-0

Rory’s prediction: I have just gone for an easy home win. 2-0

Dave’s prediction: Eddie Howe is another of our old managers, and a friend of mine. He is a lovely family man. I am not sure how much by, but Newcastle are going to win this. 2-1

ARSENAL v TOTTENHAM

Arsenal have had a bad week and right now it looks like Tottenham have a better chance of winning a trophy this season than they do.

People are quite rightly pointing out that the Gunners are missing chances and, with Bukayo Saka out injured, they are just lacking that spark in attack.

Having said all that, maybe they will find it again here, because I think the way Spurs play will suit Arsenal.

By that, I mean Mikel Arteta’s side can soak up pressure and counter-attack, and even without Saka or a recognised centre-forward, I think they will get chances in this game. It is whether they take them this time. I am backing them to stick a couple away.

Of course this derby is really important to Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham in their situation, but the expansive way they play means it is tall order to expect an unfamiliar defence and new goalkeeper to step up again.

I do see Spurs scoring, but they give up a lot of chances. Arsenal have to win this game to hang on in the title race, and I think they will.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Rory’s prediction: It’s been hard seeing Ange struggling because there are not many Celtic fans who begrudge him leaving us. He set Celtic up so beautifully and we were an absolute joy to watch under him. The injury situation has not helped him at Spurs, and while he might hopefully have some people back, I think Arsenal will be too strong. 3-2

Dave’s prediction: David wasn’t sure about this, but this one is his prediction, not mine. 1-1

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

IPSWICH v BRIGHTON

I really don’t want to say I am loving what Ipswich are doing – but I am!

I mean, I would not move there or anything, but I am definitely becoming something of a fan of Kieran McKenna’s side.

I love watching The Traitors on BBC iPlayer and I don’t feel like I am being a traitor myself here, but my old club Norwich’s past two attempts to stay in the Premier League have been pitiful. We were not quite as bad as Southampton this season, but we were not far off it.

In contrast, Ipswich are really giving it a go at staying up. They scrap for everything, but they have organisation and quality too and I am really enjoying Liam Delap’s displays up front.

It goes without saying their home form has not been great but after beating Bristol Rovers on Sunday they have now won their past two match at Portman Road, which will give them a bit more confidence for this game too.

I am still going with Brighton to win this, though, and do the double in East Anglia this week.

The Seagulls put four goals past the Canaries at Carrow Road in the FA Cup at the weekend – I was right about that prediction even if it pained me to say it – and I have a feeling their eight-game winless run in the league ends here.

Brighton are going to find it harder against Ipswich – they drew with them at the Amex Stadium in September – but they showed how good they can be against Arsenal last week, and their form is going to turn again soon.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Rory’s prediction: Ipswich will be bouncing after some home wins at last but I am not sure they will manage a repeat. Brighton are a fun team to watch, and have another Celtic old-boy in Matt O’Riley so I am going for them to win and a brace from Matt. 1-3

Dave’s prediction: 1-2

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

MAN UTD v SOUTHAMPTON

I have a lot of admiration for Manchester United’s performance in their FA Cup win against Arsenal, especially to grind it out with 10 men for an hour after Diogo Dalot was sent off.

But these next three games, at home against Southampton, Brighton and then Rangers, are a very different test for them compared to their trips to the Emirates Stadium and Anfield in the past week.

I don’t want to devalue what United did against Arsenal or Liverpool but they were games where the expectation was not on them to get results.

We know United are good on the counter-attack away from home, but against Saints at Old Trafford the onus is on them to take the game to the opposition.

That is exactly where they have been struggling recently and, like I said on 606 on Sunday night, it would be just like Manchester United to be flat, find things difficult, and drop more points.

Southampton under Ivan Jurica are very different to the way they played under previous boss Russell Martin because most of the time they just lump it forward now, and they are far more direct.

Saints may come into this game with a bit of confidence after beating Championship side Swansea in the FA Cup, ending a run of 12 games without a victory that went back to the start of November.

I still think United will find a way to win, but I am not so sure it will be a completely routine one.

I loved the way they defended against Arsenal and I thought it was quite pointed from Ruben Amorim when he came out afterwards and talked about that desire aspect.

He was speaking about traits which you would hope were pretty basic traits for any team to have – that ability to fight and scrap for a result.

United have shown they can do that part, now they have to show their quality too.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Rory’s prediction: I watched United’s last home game, against Newcastle, and they were absolutely awful. I still can’t see them not beating Southampton though. 2-0

Dave’s prediction: United have had such a lot of stick that I think they are going to have a decent win. 3-1

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

Now time to see what he said for the three FA Cup Third Round left to play out…

PRESTON v CHARLTON

15th in Championship v 11th in League One

Gap = 20

Paul Heckingbottom has done a pretty steady job at Preston, and his side has climbed the table because he’s made them hard to beat.

Charlton are on quite a good run themselves and are five games unbeaten, but I just fancy Preston to grind another result out.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Billy Bob Thornton’s prediction: 3-0

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

LEYTON ORIENT v DERBY

8th in League One v 18th in Championship

Gap = 14

Derby boss Paul Warne used to play alongside me for my old village team, Horsford Under-12s.

His side have lost their past three games and Leyton Orient have won five in a row, so I suppose there is a possible upset here – but Paul won’t allow that.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2 after extra time

Billy Bob Thornton’s prediction: 1-2

MANSFIELD v WIGAN

9th in League One v 17th in League One

Gap = 8

Wigan boss Shaun Maloney is another of my old team-mates, up against Nigel Clough who has now spent more than 26 years as a manager.

Clough’s Mansfield side have got stacks of experience too and he has done an incredible job to get them where they are.

I fancy Mansfield here, with a bit of old-school nous helping them find a way to win.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Billy Bib Thornton’s prediction: 2-0

www.fanbanter.co.uk – Fan reaction to the latest football news, gossip & funnies

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