Chris Sutton Premier League Predictions vs Gaz Coombes (2023)

Tottenham striker Harry Kane has scored 14 goals in 16 Premier League games against Arsenal – can he thwart the Gunners' title contenders by scoring again against them on Sunday?

However, BBC Sport football analyst Chris Sutton doesn't believe that will happen.

"I know Harry Kane loves playing against Arsenal," said Sutton. “I also know that he can break Greaves' record this weekend, but he won't.

"He won't score and Tottenham won't score - Arsenal will wipe the floor with them."

Sutton predicts every important game this season against a variety of guests.

He's competing for this weekend's gamesSupergrass frontman Gaz Coombeswhose fourth solo album "Turn The Car Around" is due out on Friday.

Coombes is a Manchester United fan who is enjoying the club's rebirth under Erik ten Hag, but will that continue into Saturday's Manchester derby?

"I never like derby games until we win them," Coombes told BBC Sport. “But there have definitely been a few occasions lately where we've come out with a positive result, it's been a very pleasant surprise.

"The last five years have been terrible for United for the most part, but we still got some really great results against City.

"This time? We are in a much better place under Ten Hag. It may not mean anything to the derby but for the first time in many years I feel good about watching United and I'm sure about the direction we are going to go.

“It's great to see Marcus meet Rashford again because I love the guy, he's one of my heroes.

"I had a very vivid dream about him about a week ago where I got my phone and he was in my contacts and I just called him.

“In my dream, he took it and laughed a little, then he said, 'Hey Gaz, how are you?' as if he was genuinely happy to hear from me, so we chatted for a bit, sort of a conversation between two friends.

"I woke up with a big smile on my face and thought it really happened. Sadly not – but I will definitely call him if he scores our winning goal on Saturday."

The fixture list below features Fulham's game against Chelsea on Thursday, rearranged from week seven when Asking Alexandria guitarist Ben Bruce was a guest.

* Ben Bruce's predictionfrom the seventh week.

A correct result (select win, draw or lose) counts10Spots. The exact score deserves40Spots.

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SUTTON'S PREDICTIONS

Games start at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated

THURSDAY, JANUARY 12

Fulham 2-1 Chelsea

There are a lot of teams that are proving to be very difficult to predict at the moment, including Chelsea.

They struggle with a lot of injuries but goals remain an issue for them and it will be interesting to see how new loanee João Félix changes that.

Fulham have won their last three games and are three points and three places clear of their neighbours. You will be confident of achieving something with this one.

I'm a man of integrity, so I stand by my original prediction of when this game is to be played,In September- though I can't promise I'll do that with every game in this lineup.

Sutton Prediction:1-1

Ben Bruce Prediction:1-2

• game report

FRIDAY JANUARY 13TH

Aston Villa – Leeds (20:00)

Aston Villa had an absolute shock against Stevenage in the FA Cup. I know Unai Emery has made a lot of changes, but this loss really takes the shine off what was a decent start for him as a coach.

Leeds were lucky not to follow suit thanks to a late comeback against Cardiff and Jesse Marsch was very critical of his players after that.

So both teams will be waiting for a reaction and I'm very tempted to bet on a draw. However, I will say Villa will pull it off because I'm still not sure Leeds can hurt teams no matter how hard they try.

Sutton Prediction:2-1

Gas Prediction:These teams are pretty similar I think - both are pretty volatile. 1-1

SATURDAY JANUARY 14

Man Utd – Manchester City (12:30)

I'm very clear on how this game is going to play out.

Manchester United have really improved under Erik ten Hag and I don't think he gets enough credit for their progress since the start of the season.

Something is wrong with Manchester City, who haven't been in full swing since the season restarted after the World Cup, but I still hope they win.

Some City players such as João Cancelo and Kyle Walker look out of form and even Kevin de Bruyne is among their best, but part of their problem stems from what is known as 'stimulating roulette' - team selection in constant change of Pep Guardiola.

He played against Southampton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when Kalvin Phillips started in midfield and failed to make up.

Guardiola says he had some"ridiculous" ideasabout how his team will beat United, but I'm sure it will give Erling Haaland a chance. He's going to play his best and if they're on their best behavior, they're going to win - simple as that.

I was very confidentCity would definitely crush Unitedin October, and found I didn't go far enough in my prediction - I said 4-1 and ended up 6-3. It's going to be a lot tighter this time, but Pep will still pick up the points.

Sutton Prediction:1-2

Gas Prediction:We've been good at Old Trafford for the last few weeks, but I'm curious to see what Pep's 'ridiculous' idea is. I expect Ederson to be in defensive midfield with Phil Foden in goal. We're in good shape and I think Marcus Rashford and Christian Eriksen will be key, but it's agony talking about this game because you're only worried about what could go wrong. I was torn between a draw or a United win and wanted to say something like 3-2 - but that would make this an epic derby and could be an illusion unless Haaland plays in goal. But I assume we're going to win. 2-1

Gaz on Man Utd:Right now I'm enjoying watching us, but clearly there are still issues with our team. Long before we were linked with the signing of Wout Weghorst, I thought we would surely have to look for another Zlatan Ibrahimovic type player to fill our attack because we would never find our striker for the next five years. Weghorst wasn't the player I was thinking of, to be honest, but let's see how he fares.

Brighton x Liverpool

In Roberto De Zerbi's first game as Brighton manager, the Seagulls went 3-3 at Anfield in an absolute thriller.

Liverpool haven't improved much since then - they still look shaky in defense and still blow too many chances. One day Darwin Nunez will score five goals in the same game, but not this weekend.

I don't know why Brighton have excluded Leandro Trossard from the last two games because he scored a hat-trick at Anfield and he always seemed to me to be one of the most important men, but they are still dangerous without him.

Sutton Prediction:2-2

Gas Prediction:This must be a great game. Brighton are flying at the moment, while Liverpool are feeling like a wounded animal - you're never quite sure what you're going to get from them on either side of the pitch. 1-2

Everton x Southampton

Last week showed how important cup competitions are in changing the mood at a club – just ask Southampton manager Nathan Jones.

Jones had lost his first four Premier League games with the Saints, but defeating two top-flight teams, Crystal Palace and Manchester City, in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup will really win fans over to his side.

Santos were up to it and played very well against City, but can you say that against a team on the other side of the table?

Everton also recently achieved an impressive result against City, a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium on New Year's Eve, but lost heavily in their next home game to Brighton after falling apart in the second half.

I keep saying they're going to win Goodison without getting the required results like they did last season and sooner or later I'm going to give up on them.

For now though, I will continue to support them - but this is the last time I will if they lose.

Sutton Prediction:1-0

Gas Prediction:The Saints' Cup wins will give them a little boost, but they are up to the challenge against City and that's a completely different task - I think the most important thing for both teams will be not to lose. 1-1

Nottingham Forest x Leicester

Serious questions were raised about Steve Cooper's future as Nottingham Forest boss when his side were dismantled by Leicester in early October, but they have improved a lot in recent times.

Cooper paid the price for making a ton of changes in the FA Cup over the weekend, but it was vindicated when he saw them reach the Carabao Cup semi-finals a few days later.

Forest are very focused at the moment, while Leicester haven't really started since the World Cup break. I leave with another win for Cooper.

Sutton Prediction:2-1

Gas Prediction:Leicester's form will eventually improve a bit but I support Forest here, I want them to stay there. 2-0

Lobos x West Ham

Wolves also impress me with new boss Julen Lopetegui. There was a visible improvement across the team, but especially in attack. Looks like they're going to score in every game now.

In contrast, West Ham's attack has yet to come together and they are still far from solid in defense either.

I always think the Hammers will be around the corner, but their relegation battle is real now - they need someone to start playing well to dig their way out of the hole they're in.

Sutton Prediction:2-0

Gas Prediction:West Ham aren't scoring many goals while Wolves are in good shape at the moment. 3-1

Brentford - Bournemouth (17:30)

This one is a little easier to predict - it's definitely a home win for Brentford.

Bournemouth are in freefall and were also beaten by leaders Burnley in the FA Cup when the Clarets were the best team. The Cherries lost 4-2, but were flattered by the result.

Brentford is super organized and very lively up front. I can see them crossing Bournemouth easily enough.

Sutton Prediction:2-0

Gas Prediction:Bournemouth is in for a shocking run, isn't it? I like Brentford manager Thomas Frank, he has real energy and that rubs off on his players. I'd like to go have a beer with him. 1-0

SUNDAY, JANUARY 15

Chelsea – Crystal Palace (14:00)

Palace are so contradictory that we are getting to a stage where I can say they are going to win or lose every time because if I try to pay based on their result or previous performance I will be wrong every time.

I'm talking about that game before Chelsea take on Fulham on Thursday night, but I don't expect Graham Potter's problems to end, no matter what happens at Craven Cottage.

At times, it looked like Chelsea were making amends as they pursued their transfer strategy under Todd Boehly, and of course, that took a toll on their on-field performances.

Chelsea must pay tribute to their late manager Gianluca Vialli, who passed away last week, ahead of this game and it will be an emotional afternoon at Stamford Bridge.

It was Vialli who signed me for Chelsea and I would love to see them win, just for him.

Sutton Prediction:2-1

Gas Prediction:I really enjoy watching Palace, they always try teams - but Chelsea play at home and their results will improve sooner or later. 3-1

Newcastle–Fulham (14 horas)

It was too little, too late for Newcastle as they took their big guns off the bench to chase down the FA Cup game against Sheffield Wednesday, but I don't think the defeat affected their league form.

Eddie Howe's side rallied to beat Leicester in the Carabao Cup midweek and are on a roll after reaching the semi-finals – their supporters will be too.

Fulham have surprised a lot of people this season but I think the Magpies will have a lot going for them. No shocks here.

Sutton Prediction:3-0

Gas Prediction:Fulham will score, but Newcastle must have plenty for them. 2-1

Tottenham - Arsenal (16:30)

I'm looking forward to this game and it will be quite interesting to just watch the technical areas when Antonio Conte and Mikel Arteta are there.

I think Conte will not appreciate Arteta's antics if he behaves like he did in Arsenal's draw against Newcastle, so it's worth keeping an eye on.

It must be a lot less competitive on the pitch. Arsenal are a much better team and for most of the season Tottenham's performances have not been good enough.

Of course Spurs could step things up here because it means so much to both fans that they can't just lie down - but I'm tired of saying they'll be turning the corner soon and I'm tired of Conte's excuses when they play badly . They don't deserve me predicting a positive outcome for them.

I think a lot of Tottenham fans are also tired of Conte's football - they are boring and boring, while Arsenal are the complete opposite, even with Gabriel Jesus injured.

I can see the Gunners making a big statement on the Tottenham pitch on Sunday.

Sutton Prediction:0-3

Gas Prediction:This is a great game to finish. Spurs fight, Arsenal fly - but Spurs are home and they have Harry Kane. My first thought here was a 2-2 draw, but I'm going to win here with Tottenham, more because that's what I want. 2-1

Chris Sutton and Gaz spoke to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

How did Sutton do last time?

In last weekend's FA Cup third round fixtures, Sutton correctly predicted the winners of 15 of the 25 matches decided - he could boost his score if replays happen.

His selected guest, Bad Education writer and podcast presenter Nathan Bryon, has scored 6/12 so far - in the same games Sutton has a score of 7/12 - including his prediction that League One side Fleetwood would upset Nathan's side . QPR.

In the latest Premier League games, played between 2 and 5 January, Sutton has taken four correct scores from 10 games, with two accurate scores giving him an overall score100 points.

This means he has suffered his second successive league defeat of 2023 at the hands of Modernlove drummer Cian McCluskey, who took five correct scores, also with two correct scores, for a total110 points- enough to send him to the top of the guest leaderboard.

how you progressed

Only 14% of you thought Brentford would beat Liverpool in the first game of the series and things didn't get much better for you from there.

Unlike Chris and Cian, you saw Brighton's win at Everton coming, but that was one of the three predictions you got right.

*Win, draw and loss predictions based on the highest percentage of votes for each game.

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