Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Vigil star Dougray Scott

Aston Villa outplayed defending champions Manchester City on Wednesday, but can they match that intensity when they face leaders Arsenal this weekend?

BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton said: "Martin Keown said on Match of the Day that Villa's win over City was their best performance in years, and I am not going to argue with that.

"They threw everything at City. The question is, can they go again and play at that level against the table-toppers? It's going to be hard for Villa to replicate that."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.

For this weekend's games, he takes on actor Dougray Scott, who stars in the new season of high-stakes drama Vigil.

Season two of Vigil begins on Sunday, 10 December at 21:00 GMT on BBC One, with the first three episodes available on BBC iPlayer from 06:00 that morning.

Scott plays air vice-marshall Marcus Grainger in series two of Vigil. Series one was set on a submarine, but series two takes to the skies and the secret world of drone warfare

Scott followed in his father's footsteps and grew up a staunch Hibernian fan.

"My dad lived in Glasgow as a boy but became a mad Hibee because his uncle was a scout for Hibs and he used to take him to Easter Road," Scott told BBC Sport.

"So he was watching Hibs in the 1950s with 'The Famous Five' - our legendary frontline of Gordon Smith, Bobby Johnstone, Lawrie Reilly, Eddie Turnbull and Willie Ormond - who were part of such a great team.

"I started going with him in the 1970s and we used to go home and away together. We were fanatical - I still am, I have to say - it pains me when we get beat!

"My favourite moment has to be the 2016 Scottish Cup final when we beat Rangers 3-2 at Hampden. I was there and it was just phenomenal - our 114-year wait to win the cup was finally over, and it was a fantastic day.

"We are doing OK at the moment under Nick Montgomery, but under Lee Johnson [who was sacked in August] we were terrible. He didn't seem to have an affinity with Scottish football.

"Scottish football gets a bad press but I think it is a really good standard. It's obviously not at the same level as the Premier League, but I watch Hibs every week and there is still a lot of good passing football being played despite it being a very physical league."

"I can't believe Sutton has gone for Bournemouth to draw with Manchester United!" Suranne Jones, who plays detective Amy Silva, shares some big news with Scott / Grainger during series two of Vigil

Scott has an English team too - Manchester United - just like his father.

He explained: "I've followed them since I was a boy, again because of my dad. We have had some great teams down the years, but we are just not very good at the moment.

"I've read all this stuff about Erik ten Hag losing the dressing room but I don't believe that. He has not become a bad manager overnight, and I'm actually surprised he has done as well as he has done, considering what is going on behind the scenes.

"At the moment we are waiting to see whether Sir Jim Ratcliffe will complete a deal for 25% of the club but, for years, the problem at United has been from the top down.

"They have been destabilised for so long because, despite potentially being the biggest club in the world, their financial model under the Glazers means huge sums of money are being taken out of the club and they are piling debt upon debt upon debt.

"That's why United have been struggling, not Ten Hag - I think he is a terrific manager. What needs to happen is for the takeover to go through and for Ratcliffe to take control of the footballing affairs - let's see how Ten Hag does then."

Chris Sutton and Dougray Scott were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

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SUTTON'S PREDICTIONS

All matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER

Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool

Crystal Palace have only won one of their past eight league games and there is plenty of speculation about Roy Hodgson's long-term future, but I still think he will guarantee them Premier League safety.

I am not so sure they will get anything out of Liverpool, though. The Reds are on a great run of results that has put them right in the title race.

Liverpool's defence is not exactly convincing, but I have given them a clean sheet here. Palace are not a free-scoring side, and they need Eberechi Eze fit again as soon as possible.

You know how they will set up against Liverpool, and the question is whether Jurgen Klopp's side can break them down. I believe they will, although I don't think they will find it easy.

Sutton's prediction: 0-2

Dougray's prediction: I like Hodgson and Palace are capable of playing some quite exciting football, but Liverpool are just too good - they have scored some sensational goals recently. 1-3

Brighton 1-1 Burnley

This will be an entertaining game because that is the nature of both managers - Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi and Burnley manager Vincent Kompany both want to play good attacking football.

They both have issues at the back, too. The Seagulls haven't shown the same consistency they had last season, and they concede far too many goals, but the Clarets concede even more.

Burnley got that huge win over Sheffield United last weekend but then couldn't follow it up when they lost at Wolves on Tuesday. I don't see them getting anything here either.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Dougray's prediction: I am going to go with Brighton here, they've just got more quality. Burnley got a big win last weekend but you have to remember they were playing a Sheffield United side who are pretty ordinary, and I think Kompany's side are still vulnerable defensively. 3-2

Man Utd 0-3 Bournemouth

Manchester United are one of the most in-form teams in the Premier League based on their recent results, but I am not sure you would say the same if you had watched them play.

Still. United's win over Chelsea in midweek was an important one for Erik ten Hag after their disappointing defeat at Newcastle, and the reports that came out about him having lost some of the dressing room.

I think there is a bit of a siege mentality at Old Trafford at the moment because of those kind of rumours, and Ten Hag has tried to shake up his team, leaving out Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial against the Blues.

They went toe to toe with Chelsea in that game and were more open than they have been, but I am not sure Bournemouth will allow this game to go the same way.

The Cherries are in decent form themselves, with three wins and a draw from their past four games, and I have a feeling they will pick something up here too.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Dougray on Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay: I played golf with him recently in Scotland and he is such a funny guy. I always thought United played him in the wrong position, because he is not a defensive midfielder, he is an attacking midfielder because he has a natural instinct for scoring goals, which he keeps on showing us - look at the goals he has scored for United, and for Scotland. He has a knack of being in the right place at the right time and he has also got quick feet, so he is a very under-rated footballer.

Dougray's prediction: We don't have enough firepower up front at the moment - Rashford looks well off the pace - but I still think we will beat Bournemouth. 2-1

Sheff Utd 1-0 Brentford

New Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder has got a hell of a job to try to keep them up but, if anyone can do it, he can.

The Blades gave it a bit of a go in their defeat against Liverpool in midweek and on paper this is a game they might fancy getting something from.

Bryan Mbeumo's injury is a big blow to Brentford and made me think this might end up in a draw, but then I remembered how awkward the Bees are, which is why I have gone for them to find a way of nicking it.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Dougray's prediction: Sheffield United have changed their manager, but I don't think it will make much difference. 1-3

Wolves 1-1 Nottingham Forest

This is a big game for Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper, whose side have only won one of their past 11 games.

Given the rumours about his future, Wednesday's 5-0 defeat by Fulham was the last thing Cooper needed, but you could see from the Forest fans' reaction at the end of the game that they are still with him.

Those fans are not going to keep him in the job forever, though. I think many people thought Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis might have made the change already and it feels like Cooper might need a win here to keep his job.

For that to happen, Forest will need to find some form from somewhere and that feels unlikely to me, especially on the road.

Wolves are so well organised, and I think this might turn out to be a relatively comfortable home win.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Dougray's prediction: Forest are struggling a bit, so let's go with Wolves to win this one. 3-2

Aston Villa 1-0 Arsenal

Aston Villa were brilliant against Manchester City and their home record is phenomenal with 14 wins in a row since their last defeat in the league at Villa Park.

That came against the Gunners in February, who trailed twice but won 4-2 in dramatic style thanks to two stoppage-time goals.

I don't see this game being anywhere near as open, although I do think it will be close.

Arsenal have shown their resilience in recent weeks and, the way they are playing at the moment, I just don't see them being beaten,

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Dougray on Villa midfielder John McGinn: We had him at Hibs and he is a brilliant player, doing a great job for Villa. This is no disrespect to Villa, who are having a brilliant season, but I think he will end up at Manchester City, Liverpool or Manchester United - or he will go to Real Madrid or Barcelona; he is that good.

Dougray's prediction: This is a really important time of the season, coming up to Christmas, and I think Arsenal will step it up here and get the win. 1-3

SUNDAY, 10 DECEMBER

Everton 2-0 Chelsea

What a job Sean Dyche is doing at Everton. His side are out of the relegation zone after beating Newcastle on Thursday, and they would be above Chelsea if not for their 10-point deduction.

The challenge for Everton here is similar to the one Aston Villa face against Arsenal - they need to follow up an impressive performance in midweek - but which Chelsea will turn up to try and stop them?

Mauricio Pochettino's side were all over the place against Manchester United, but at least they carried a threat despite losing that game.

I don't mind admitting I don't have a clue what to expect from Chelsea here, but they actually haven't lost two consecutive games all season, so I might as well go for that run to continue.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Dougray's prediction: Chelsea are still so inconsistent but Pochettino is a good manager and I fancy them here. 1-3

Fulham 5-0 West Ham

The goals are flooding in for Fulham now, and they have scored 11 in their past three games. I really wasn't expecting that from Marco Silva's side, who had managed only 10 in their previous 12 league matches this season.

West Ham surprised me too with their win at Tottenham on Thursday. The Hammers played well in the second half, although they did get a couple of lucky goals to turn things around.

This feels like it is going to be close. I am a big fan of what David Moyes has done at West Ham, but Fulham are flying at the moment so I am backing them to follow up their impressive victory over Nottingham Forest.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Dougray's prediction: I wasn't sure about this one - West Ham are not quite motoring at the moment, but they are still hard to beat. 2-2

Luton 1-2 Man City

There is no way Manchester City won't win this game. They have to.

Rodri is back, which will help them defensively, but they will need to have far more ideas going forward than they showed at Villa Park, where they had only two shots at goal.

Luton have already pushed Liverpool and Arsenal close at Kenilworth Road in the past few weeks - conceding a last-gasp equaliser against the Reds and losing to the Gunners in stoppage time.

They will make things tricky for City too, and I can see them scoring at least once. I just think City will turn up for this one and get the job done.

Sutton's prediction: 1-3

Dougray on Jack Grealish: I still think Grealish hasn't been the player City need him to be. He is a very good footballer, but he needs to be braver. Even as a United fan I watch him and think he passes when he shouldn't. I am a huge fan of him as a footballer, and he has got great feet, I just love seeing him run at players but he doesn't do that enough - don't just take on the first defender, take two or three of them on. He could go past them, because he is that good.

Dougray's prediction: City have had a few interesting results in the past few games, but I think it is good for the Premier League that the title race is so open. Listen, it's still going to be between City, Liverpool and Arsenal, then ultimately, just down to City or Liverpool... and in the end I think City will win it again. That's my instinct anyway! As far as this game goes, I think they will take Luton apart. 1-5

Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou needs a positive result after taking only one point from the past five games.

But we already know he will carry on playing in the same way, which means anything can happen here.

Newcastle's away form has not been great recently, with just one league win on the road so far this season, but they are not going to change their approach either.

Both teams are missing some key players through injury but neither side will just try to shut up shop. I feel like this is going to be really open, with both teams going for it... and lots of goals.

Sutton's prediction: 3-3

Dougray's prediction: Postecoglou did really well at Celtic but, like lots of other people, I wasn't sure how he would deal with the Premier League. The key thing I've seen from them so far is that they never give up. Newcastle are playing so well at the moment, but I am going with Spurs to nick it. 3-2

How did Sutton do last time?

A poor week for Chris, who was well beaten by CBeebies Robin Hood star Rhys Stephenson.

Chris got three correct results from 10 matches in week 15, with no exact scores, giving him a total of 30 points.

Rhys managed six correct results, with two exact scores, giving him 120 points.

How did you get on?

Bournemouth's win at Crystal Palace caught most of you out - only 16% thought the Cherries would win.

You were surprised by Aston Villa's win over Manchester City too - 23% of you backed Unai Emery's side, but 35% went with a draw and 42% went with City to triumph.

But the biggest surprise of the midweek games, at least based on your votes, was West Ham's triumph at Tottenham - only 14% of you saw that coming.

*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.

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