Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v DJ & Everton fan Barry Can't Swim
- Published
The Premier League's top two meet on Saturday when Manchester City host Liverpool, but who will come out on top?
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton said: "It's the game of the season so far, but is City striker Erling Haaland fit? Who knows.
"We will have to wait until we see the teams to be sure either way, which makes it a bit of a nightmare to make my prediction now. It doesn't help fantasy football managers very much either - but I have still got him as my captain."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.
This week, he takes on Barry Can't Swim, aka DJ and producer Joshua Mannie - who is an Everton fan.
Barry Can't Swim's debut album, When Will We Land, is out now and reached number 12 in the charts. He finishes his latest UK tour in Glasgow on Friday and has more shows in the United States, Canada, Europe and the UK at the start of 2024.
Josh is Scottish but his mum is from Liverpool and he followed that side of his family when he chose his team - or, more accurately, they were chosen for him.
"I didn't really have a choice," he told BBC Sport. "My mum's from a really big family and most of them are Everton fans, so I never really had a Scottish team - it has always been Everton for me.
"When I was growing up, Big Dunc [Duncan Ferguson] was always a legend but I don't remember a lot of him as a player because I was a bit too young.
"But he is still as much an icon for me for his presence around the club down the years, as a coach or when he filled in as caretaker manager, and for the fact he is Scottish as well.
"As a kid, though, my hero was Tim Cahill - he is an absolute legend to me - and Leighton Baines as well.
"I meet a lot of other musicians and big names and I am always totally unfazed by it, but the one time I met Leighton, I was so star struck.
"He was such a lovely guy too, very quiet and almost kind of insular which I didn't really expect. I haven't met too many footballers but you'd imagine there's a lot of ego, and he didn't seem to possess that."
Life as an Everton fan is rarely dull but the past week has been particularly tumultuous - with the club receiving a 10-point deduction after being found to have breached the Premier League's financial rules.
"The news was really disappointing but the fact that it has come now, rather than at the start of the season has maybe been a good thing," Josh added.
"We are quite in form at the moment and weirdly, because there is so much reason for pessimism right now, I strangely feel quite optimistic, certainly more so than at the start of the season.
"We are playing well, and in the past few weeks it felt like we have got a little bit of an identity as a team again.
"That's down to Sean Dyche, who is is the perfect manager for a scenario like this. We've always been good when we have been up against it as a team, and the fanbase is the same too.
"If it was going to happen to any team, we are capable of responding in the right way, and this could bring everyone together even more.
"That's what I'm hoping, anyway. I do think we will stay up now, but this weekend will give us a better gauge of where we are at. I am hoping the points deduction galvanises everyone against Manchester United, and over the next few weeks too, but we will have to see how it pans out."
Chris Sutton and Josh Mannie / Barry Can't Swim were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
Premier League - week 13 | |||
---|---|---|---|
When? | Result | Sutton | Barry |
SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER | |||
Man City v Liverpool | 1-1 | 2-1 | 1-1 |
Burnley v West Ham | 1-2 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Luton v Crystal Palace | 2-1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Newcastle v Chelsea | 4-1 | 1-1 | 2-1 |
Nott'm Forest v Brighton | 2-3 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Sheff Utd v Bournemouth | 1-3 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
Brentford v Arsenal | 0-1 | 0-1 | 2-2 |
SUNDAY, 26 NOVEMBER | |||
Tottenham v Aston Villa | 1-2 | 2-2 | 2-1 |
Everton v Man Utd | 0-3 | 2-1 | 2-0 |
MONDAY, 27 NOVEMBER | |||
Fulham v Wolves | 3-2 | 0-2 | 0-1 |
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
SUTTON'S PREDICTIONS
All matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.
SATURDAY, 25 NOVEMBER
Man City 1-1 Liverpool
I think these teams will finish the season in the top two. Every time they meet, it makes for such an intriguing game.
Liverpool carry such a threat through Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez has been on fire for Uruguay this week - scoring three goals in total against Argentina and Bolivia.
Nunez does miss a few too, we know that, but he will be a handful, and the pace that Liverpool have on the counter-attack means they are very capable of rattling Manchester City the same way Chelsea did before the international break.
City won't change their approach though, because they don't take a backward step against anyone. I'd expect them to dominate possession, and of course they will play on the front foot even though they know Liverpool can hurt them on the break.
Home advantage will definitely help, though. Pep Guardiola's side have won all 23 of their games at Etihad Stadium so far this year and their draw with Everton on 31 December 2022 was the last time they failed to win there, in any competition.
That's the main reason why I am going for them to just about edge this one and find a way to win but, whether Haaland plays or not, it is going to be extremely close.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: It is really tough to make a call without knowing about Haaland. I might just go with a draw, because City haven't quite clicked yet this season. 1-1
Burnley 1-2 West Ham
West Ham have got a few injury problems in attack, with Michail Antonio definitely sidelined, Jarrod Bowen probably out and Mohammed Kudus rated doubtful for this game.
That makes this one a bit trickier to predict, even with Burnley's atrocious home form that has seen them lose six out of six league games at Turf Moor this season.
Vincent Kompany's side are bottom of the table and desperate for any kind of foothold to give them a bit of belief.
They might actually get one here, because of the players that West Ham will be missing.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: I am going with West Ham here, although they are conceding quite a few goals so I am going with Burnley to score. 1-2
Luton 2-1 Crystal Palace
There is no question that Luton are in a relegation scrap but I do like what they are trying to do under Rob Edwards.
I still think they will go down but, based on what we've seen from them recently, I've got far more belief in their chances of staying up than I did at the start of the season.
Still, this is the kind of game I think Palace boss Roy Hodgson will relish. He won't be bothered about possession statistics, he just wants the points.
I don't think Palace will concede and, going forward, Eberechi Eze is fully fit again. He could be the player who makes the difference for the Eagles in what should be a close game.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: I'd love to see Luton stay up, but I'm not convinced. Palace to take this one, in a low-scoring game. 0-1
Newcastle 4-1 Chelsea
Newcastle looked really jaded in their defeat by Bournemouth before the international break. They have got some injured players back in contention, including Alexander Isak, but the question is how fit are they, and how much has changed in two weeks?
It's a similar story with Chelsea, who could hand Christopher Nkunku his debut but, if that happens, it will probably be off the bench. They are improving, yes, but they are still so erratic, which makes this game almost impossible to call.
There are signs they have turned a corner and they were so impressive at times against Manchester City but you can't rely on them to play well again here.
To be honest, I feel like giving up when it comes to making predictions about Chelsea games anyway - I get their scores wrong every week, so I am ready to be proved wrong again here.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: With Chelsea involved, I honestly have no idea. 2-1
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Brighton
Brighton have drawn four of their past five league games and that is the outcome I am going with this time too. At this rate I think I'm going to go for a 1-1 scoreline in pretty much all of the games.
Results-wise, the Seagulls are definitely less reliable than they were last season and Kaoru Mitoma's injury is a big blow.
I was going to back Brighton to nick the points but, with Mitoma out, I think Forest have more of a chance, especially at home, where they are still unbeaten.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: Brighton have been very up and down this season but I'm still backing them. 1-2
Sheff Utd 1-3 Bournemouth
Both of these teams have improved in recent weeks, so I am going for another 1-1 draw.
Only joking. I actually think there will be a goal in this, one way or another.
The Blades are in their best form of the season but Bournemouth got a great result against Newcastle last time out and their fans get pretty angry when I go against them.
It's a tough call but I am looking for the most likely match-winner and it has to be Cherries striker Dominic Solanke - he can make the difference here.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: I honestly think Sheffield United have played better than their results have suggested, but Bournemouth have hit a bit of form. 0-1
Brentford v Arsenal 0-1
On the face of it, Brentford got walloped 3-0 at Liverpool last time out but look past the scoreline and they were competitive for long periods of that game.
So, this is going to be far from easy for Arsenal. They won here at the start of last season, but the Bees' home form is very strong and we know how well-balanced they are, and how awkward they are are to play against.
As I've said, City and Liverpool are my top two this season but I don't think Arsenal will be too far behind in third and, if they want to push for the title again, they know they need to win games like this one.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: This is a bit of a rogue one but I might go for a draw here, with a few goals. Brentford can be unreal some weeks but they don't always show up. 2-2
SUNDAY, 26 NOVEMBER
Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa
I interviewed Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou this week and he came across really well. He has a process he believes in, and it has brought him a lot of success.
Yes, Spurs have got some key players missing with Cristian Romero suspended and Micky van de Ven and James Maddison both injured, but he is not going to change the way his side play.
It is going to be fascinating to see how they get on because Aston Villa are so well organised under Unai Emery, and you know they will be ready for them.
Tottenham will try to dominate possession but Villa could try to press high and get after them or sit back and contain and look to hit them on the break.
If I had to pick a winner, then I would go with Villa because they are so wily and they could expose any gaps Spurs leave open but I actually think this one will end up in a draw.
Sutton's prediction: 2-2
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: Tottenham have got a few injuries but I don't think Villa are quite the same side away from home. 2-1
Everton 0-3 Man Utd
Everton are in a relegation battle now, but I still think they will be good enough to stay up.
There is a lot of talk about how their points deduction will galvanise the whole club but I think there is a chance the occasion could suit Manchester United because there is going to be a powder keg atmosphere at Goodison Park on Sunday.
There is the risk that Everton's players could get over-excited, and they need to keep 11 players on the field.
I am sure that will be the message from their manager Sean Dyche too and, if they manage that, Everton have a very good chance of winning this game. Their recent form has been very good.
Results-wise, Manchester United have been doing better than anyone, with four wins in their past five league games, but if you have seen them play this season you will know they have mostly been awful.
I have got a sneaky feeling they will benefit from all the fervour around Everton at the moment and somehow find a way of winning this game too, but I believe in fairytales, which is why I am going with an Everton victory.
Goodison will be absolutely bouncing if I am right.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: I will have a clear idea about how the rest of the season will pan out largely based on what happens in this game. As far as a prediction goes, I am gong to go with a win... we are scoring a few goals at the moment and United don't look too strong. It's the first game since the deduction, we're at home, and we're already in form - if I were a United fan, I would not be wanting to go to Goodison right now, no way! 2-0
MONDAY, 27 NOVEMBER
Fulham 3-2 Wolves
Fulham have taken one point from their past four games but I don't see them getting dragged into the relegation battle because they have got a good manager in Marco Silva and enough quality to stay in the Premier League.
Their biggest problem is that they have not replaced Aleksandar Mitrovic, who was a real figurehead for them last season, and they are missing his presence up front - Burnley are the only top-flight team to have scored fewer goals than the Cottagers so far.
Wolves are not exactly prolific either, but they have built a nice bit of momentum in the past few weeks and I can see their bandwagon rolling on here.
Sutton's prediction: 0-2
Barry Can't Swim's prediction: Gary O'Neil has done a really good job at Wolves and I don't fancy Fulham right now. 0-1
How did Sutton do last time?
Chris had three guests for the last set of games before the international break - frontman and guitarist Tom Ogden and drummer Joe Donovan from indie band Blossoms, who are both Manchester City fans - and also a Chelsea supporter, Madness frontman Suggs.
Given who they support, it was appropriate that the outcome came down to the final game, the epic encounter between Chelsea and City at Stamford Bridge.
Suggs was right when he said that Chelsea would score four, but he didn't think City would do the same.
Joe, meanwhile, namechecked two City old boys, Cole Palmer and Raheem Sterling, as being potential goalscorers, but then dismissed it - and both ended up being on target.
The 4-4 draw meant that Chris came out on top, with five correct results and no exact scores giving him a total of 50 points.
Tom and Joe both got four correct results to end up on 40 points apiece, while Suggs was right about the first game of the weekend, Wolves' win over Tottenham, and wrong about the next nine.
He is left propping up the guest leaderboard, with 10 points.
Guest leaderboard 2023-24 | |
---|---|
Anthony Joshua | 150 |
Eddie Hearn | 130 |
Anish Kumar | 100 |
Fabian Edwards, Joelah from 1Xtra, KSI, Midas the Jagaban | 90 |
Chris Sutton | 84 (average after 12 weeks) |
David Earl, Keke from 1Xtra, Jazzie Zonzolo | 70 |
Tommy Fury, Joe from Nothing But Thieves | 60 |
Gabe of Jamie Johnson FC, Tash from The Football Academy | 50 |
Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan from Blossoms | 40 |
Willie J Healey | 20 |
Suggs | 10 |
Total scores after week 12 | |
---|---|
Chris Sutton | 1,010 |
Guests | 920 |
Sutton v guests | |||
---|---|---|---|
P12 | W6 | D4 | L2 |
How did you get on?
You were right about the same five games that Chris called correctly... and you were also wrong about the other five!
Only 8% of you thought Bournemouth would beat Newcastle, while 6% thought Sheffield United would hold Brighton.
Everton's win over Palace (17%) and Wolves' last-gasp victory over Tottenham (25%) also caught you out, as did City's draw at Chelsea - 68% of you backed City to take the points.
You v Chris & the guests - week 12 | |
---|---|
=1. Chris | 5/10 |
=1. You | 5/10 |
3. Guests | 4/10 |
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match. Tom and Joe's score was used in these tables.
Total scores after week 12 | |
---|---|
1. You | 70/120 |
2. Chris | 68/120 |
3. Guests | 62/120 |
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