Sutton’s predictions v doctor & comedian Ed Patrick

Newcastle are chasing a club-record 10th straight win against Bournemouth on Saturday, but are Eddie Howe’s side now in the title race?

No one was discussing Newcastle’s chances of winning the title until December, according to BBC Sport’s football expert Chris Sutton.

“I don’t think it is going to happen but they have an outside chance. Let’s see where it takes them if they continue to win.

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

He squares off against Nottingham Forest supporter doctor and comedian Ed Patrick for Week 22.

Patrick is touring the UK with his show, Catch Your Breath, including a date at the Comedy Store in London on 8 April.

Do you concur with their evaluations? You can make your own below.

After two seasons of battling relegation, Patrick has a lifelong Forest fan and is enjoying their time in the top four.

“It’s slightly bonkers”, he told BBC Sport. You go from being nervous in a very different way to having that unquenchable fear of watching every game and surviving on enough points.

” Let’s be honest, we started the season just hoping not to be in a dogfight at the bottom again, and anything else would have been a bonus.

“I was celebrating when we beat Everton a few weeks ago to reach safety because that meant we were secure,” but now the only reason I worry is that we need to enter the Champions League to keep our players.

” There is so much love from the fans for this team, that is almost the biggest reason for us getting in.

It just makes you grow more and more attracted to them because you can already see them playing with a similar heart and cohesion as a fan.

” Look at someone like Murillo, who is not only such a great player but he is exciting to watch as well, which is very rare for a centre-half.

He has a feeling that if we didn’t place in the top four, he might move elsewhere. But at the same time you end up thinking, ‘ well, if he is having such a great time then why wouldn’t he stay? ‘ – and it applies to the rest of the team as well.

” When you watch us, we’re not carefree but it is like our players are really enjoying their football, and the style we play as well.

Because we are aware of our plan and how to raise the pitch, “we don’t need possession always.”

” Whether we make the top four or not is just down to whether we can maintain that level of enjoyment, which I think we will. “

Because Newcastle are currently in such excellent form, but Bournemouth haven’t lost in a long time either.

The Cherries are 10 games unbeaten, since 23 November, while Newcastle would set a new club record of 10 wins in a row in all competitions if they beat them.

Since moving to St James’ Park in 2021, howe has never defeated his former team in five Premier League games. However, I anticipate that will change on Saturday.

Bournemouth will score and they are very capable of nicking a victory here, but Newcastle have momentum and belief and they also have Alexander Isak, who is absolutely flying at the moment.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

I thought Liverpool were really unlucky not to beat Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Matz Sels, a Forest keeper, made some excellent saves despite a strong play and plenty of chances to win.

Now, with Arsenal winning on Wednesday, this game has become massive for Liverpool. People will be genuinely questioning them if they don’t succeed.

Arne Slot’s side have drawn their past two league games, and lost to Tottenham in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.

So, they have only won one game out of four in all competitions since the start of the year, the FA Cup match against Accrington.

It is something of a mini-blip for them, and they need to get back on track. But they are still where they want to be, four points clear of the Premier League’s top scorers and one game away from defeating the opposition.

This is going to be another tough game for the leaders though.

People might interpret Brentford’s late comeback against Manchester City as justification for their restrained players from Plymouth’s FA Cup home defeat.

I disagree with that, but the Bees have shown this season that they never lie down and I can see them scoring and keeping this close.

I don’t think Liverpool will find a way to cross the line, like City did.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Leicester’s motto is “Foos never quit,” but it seems like they are starting to look like they have.

Ruud van Nistelrooy’s side are on a run of six straight league defeats and are in desperate trouble.

Before they played Crystal Palace on Wednesday, I had a prediction that I made was too generous to them because I anticipated they would score, but Palace came out on top.

It’s not a surprise to see Leicester struggling now because I think it’s a case where they have been a mess all season.

Because they fired Steve Cooper and then appeared to give Van Nistelrooy the job off the back of two victories against them while he was in charge of Manchester United, some people will believe this has been coming.

He was a great player who had his managerial apprenticeship with PSV, and I admired the job he did with United too, so this situation is not on him – he just inherited this team.

Due to their recent history and the belief that they would stay up and move on, it is always a struggle for promoted teams.

The Premier League does not work like that – and they have found that out.

Fulham are also struggling with form, despite having many draws rather than victories in this game.

I thought Marco Silva’s side deserved something out of their defeat to West Ham on Tuesday, and they won’t slip up again. Leicester should have scored when they are due a goal, but Fulham will not have enough quality for them.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

New West Ham boss Graham Potter got a win in his first home game, against Fulham on Tuesday, but I thought the Hammers got away with one a little bit there.

I’d prefer to try to score a draw, but I won’t do that.

Instead I am going for a Palace away win, to continue their recent improvement.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-1.

This game was the last season’s highlight for Arsenal. They won 16 of their last 18 league games, but had one bad half against Aston Villa and the defeat cost them the title.

Although Mikel Arteta’s side may still be affected by that memory, it might help them concentrate on getting the job done this time.

Aston Villa come into this game after a good win at Everton but they allowed David Moyes ‘ side to have a few opportunities.

I can see the Gunners expanding on their performance by finding their ruthless touch after winning at Tottenham on Wednesday.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Sean Dyche was accused of being too defensive-minded before he got sacked last week, but Everton got a little bit stuck between being hard to beat and pushing for a goal when they lost to Aston Villa on Wednesday.

They were very close, and Villa should have had more chances than one goal, according to David Moyes.

I think it will be a similar story here, where Everton’s approach will be different because they are at home.

If they were away, I believe they would enjoy sneezing up the pressure. However, Goodison Park might be a little more expansive, and I don’t think it would go well for them.

Everton’s lack of goals – they have scored only 15 in their first 20 games – is pathetic. Although it is inconvenient, Dominic Calvert-Lewin appears to be bearing the brunt of the world’s weight.

It should not be a case of him or bust in terms of Everton finding the net but that’s how it felt against Villa and he is struggling. When the goals don’t flow, and he looks hesitant and sluggish in front of the goal, I’ve already been there.

As a striker you have got to want chances to come your way but Calvert-Lewin looks like he is on the back foot in front of goal, and also that he’s lacking the clarity of mind you have when you are flying form-wise, and you just finish those chances without thinking about them.

Even though Ange Postecoglou’s side are also on a poor run, it’s difficult to argue for Everton beating Tottenham.

Antonín Kinsky did not have a great game in goal against Arsenal but it was a disappointing display by the whole team.

Spurs need a win now because they are 14th in the table and are currently 14th. This might be the boost they need, although I am not convinced they will keep a clean sheet, even against Everton.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-3.

My son is the assistant manager of my Fantasy team – I am Brian Clough, and he is Peter Taylor – and he told me to get Amad Diallo in this week.

What is that? I over-ruled him, and obviously Diallo went on to score a hat-trick for Manchester United against Southampton.

Because United’s performance for the majority of the game had been poor, especially in the first half, it really came to an end so late in the game.

Being able to do that is important, so fair play to Diallo and manager Ruben Amorim, but it does not mean United have cracked it, or turned a corner.

Although I have to mention them every week, they still need work, and Amorim will face many more challenges.

This might be one of them, because Brighton are much tougher opposition than Saints were.

On Thursday, the Seagulls defeated Ipswich to resume their winning ways in the league. I fancy them here more than I do United, but I am going to go with a draw.

United have a habit of getting something out of games, and they will find a way to do that this time.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

If Tyler Dibling is missing from this match against Manchester United because of an ankle injury, that is a huge blow. Southampton put up a strong fight against Manchester United.

Let’s face it, it is going to be hard for Saints even if Dibling does play. This should be a routine home win for Forest because they are playing so well and Chris Wood keeps scoring.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Ipswich’s home defeat by Brighton on Thursday was a disappointing result and performance after a few encouraging games.

Manchester City did not get the win they wanted either, slipping up late on at Brentford just when people were thinking they were back in a bit of form.

Erling Haaland’s new contract, though, is great for City and will give their fans a little lift during a difficult season. I would not be surprised if he celebrates it with a goal or two.

Particularly Liam Delap, who faces his old club, can find Ipswich difficult. I think Delap will score, but City will win.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Chelsea are not in great form but they are going to click again at some point and, if they do, they are going to wipe the floor with Wolves.

Although Vitor Pereira was successful as manager of Wolves, they have struggled in their past two league games, losing 3-0 to Forest and Newcastle, and I don’t think Stamford Bridge will see much of a change.

Chelsea should win comfortably, while Wolves still have a lot of work to do to get out of relegation trouble. They are currently engaged in that conflict.

Sutton’s prediction: 3-0

Chris continued his winning start to 2025, and moved top of the scoreboard too.

In week 21, he received eight correct results from his ten midweek games, including three exact ones, totaling 170 points and claiming his second straight victory.

That was enough to beat both his guests, Bank of Dave 2 stars Rory Kinnear and Dave Fishwick.

Dave also managed seven correct results with three exact scores, giving him 130 points (his score is used in the guest total below), while Rory managed seven accurate results with no exact scores (his score is used in the guest total below).