Sutton’s predictions v singer-songwriter & Sunderland fan Tom A Smith

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery had an unhappy 18-month spell in charge of Arsenal that ended in 2019, but can he get the better of his old club on Tuesday?

After receiving abuse from Arsenal supporters, Chris Sutton, a BBC Sport football expert, said, “I’d love nothing more than Emery to win.”

“He absolutely didn’t deserve that. Some of those fans should take a long, hard look at themselves for the way they mocked him. Because of that, I hope Villa will go there and spank them.

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.

He squares off against Sunderland fan singer-songwriter Tom A. Smith for week 19 which includes the final games of 2025 on Tuesday, December 30 and the opening matches of 2026 on January 1st.

Smith’s latest EP, Say What You Want, is out now. It reached number 14 in the UK record store charts at the end of November.

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

The tables and scoreboards at the bottom of this page feature the most widely used scoreline for each game.

Smith is from Houghton-le-Spring, a town just outside Sunderland, and is a lifelong Black Cats fan who is enjoying seeing his side emerge as this season’s surprise package.

He told BBC Sport, “My word, it has just been amazing.” “It’s such a brilliant time to be a Sunderland fan, and also to be from Sunderland.

” I was saying this last season as well, because before then it had been such a long time since I felt so excited before the game every week, where I cannot wait for kick-off.

“It was the opposite of what I was like growing up. It was absolutely horrible then, but it could not be more different now.

You simply need to walk around the city and go round Keel Square, and you’ll immediately start to feel the team’s positive attitude. Culturally, it is having a massive impact on the city and everyone is in such good spirits all the time – everywhere is thriving. “

Sunderland have been playing Smith’s songs at the Stadium of Light since they were still in the Championship, and he says hearing them at games is” an incredible feeling”.

He continued, “Pretty much all matchdays I hear my songs come on now, which is amazing.

” Back in the Championship a couple of years ago I did notice that every time we got beaten one of my songs played at the end – thankfully they play it when we win now as well! “

Chris Sutton and Tom A. Smith were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.

Burnley have drawn their past two games but they really need a win because they are a little adrift at the bottom, six points from safety.

Scott Parker is under a bit of pressure and a few of their fans have called up 606, saying they want a change. Even though they haven’t defeated anyone since October 26th, I still believe they were competitive.

Newcastle could do with a victory as well, though. They play fairly well but don’t really get any results, making them an odd side. I keep backing them to win, so it is costing me too.

I am not going to stop, though. Eddie Howe’s side will keep a clean sheet this time, which is a rare away win for me.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-1

Tom’s prediction: Despite my best efforts, Newcastle will probably have a little too much for them despite Burnley picking up a few positive points over the holiday. 0-3

Chelsea are fifth but they are on a sticky run at the moment, with only one win in six league games.

I believed they were in the title race when they drew with 10 men against Arsenal at the end of November, but they have since lost all hope.

Bournemouth’s poor run of results goes back even further, however. After climbing to second place at the end of October, they have not won any of their past nine matches.

Because this could be Antoine Semenyo’s final game for the Cherries, manager Andoni Iraola is concerned about this situation. Maybe losing three of their first-choice defenders in the summer – Dean Huijsen (to Real Madrid), Milos Kerkez (to Liverpool), and Illia Zabarnyi (to Paris St-Germain) is catching up with them too.

Because the Cherries are still being so aggressive in their press and play, I’m not sure what’s going wrong with them, but Brentford did a lot of scoring in the first half over the weekend.

It is only because West Ham have been so rotten that Bournemouth are still nine points clear of the relegation zone. I still always think Iraola’s side will score, but I am backing Enzo Maresca’s side to win the battle of two very patchy teams.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Tom’s prediction: Bournemouth started the season so well and they have got a really exciting team with players like Semenyo. Everyone is currently trying to sign him, but I must admit that I didn’t think too much of him when he spent a few months on loan with Sunderland in League One in 2020.

The Cherries are struggling for form and this is a tough game for them. href=”https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/chelsea” class=”ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0″>Chelsea have been a bit shaky recently too but I’d still back them to win this at Stamford Bridge. 1-2-1

Everton beat Nottingham Forest comfortably at the start of December, but that was with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish in their team.

It’s possible Grealish is back from a virus to play in this game, but Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye will be much missed and we saw how much it affected Everton’s firepower when they played without all three of them in their draw at Burnley.

Forest should have benefited from the excellent performance they had on Saturday against Manchester City, they believe.

Sean Dyche was unhappy with City’s winner but, watching it back, you could see Morgan Gibbs-White hooked his leg around Nico O’Reilly and tried to drag him down with him, so it was good refereeing to suss that out and not give the foul to Forest.

Despite that, the forest display was impressive. Because of that, and because of who Everton will be missing, I am backing Dyche to get the better of his old team this time.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

The only thing that worries me about Sunderland next season when we are in the Champions League is how the drop-off in form of Forest this year, which I was surprised by, and how European football can affect teams without a big enough squad. Sorry, I’m maybe getting a bit carried away there!

Anyway, I’m backing Forest at home to win this one. Everton have got a good side but they can sometimes struggle going forward – they need a centre-forward. 1-0

West Ham’s situation is getting worse by the week. They are in a real relegation battle now, and their boss Nuno Espirito Sanchez is absolutely desperate for a win, but it is hard to see where it will come from.

Brighton are inconsistent but they have shown their quality by pushing Liverpool and Arsenal close in recent weeks. Nothing in this case, aside from a Seagulls victory, is visible.

The Hammers are so low on confidence that even if this is a tight game, you get the feeling they will lose it, like they did against Fulham on Saturday.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Tom’s prediction: If Brighton show up, they can beat anyone but they are just a little bit too inconsistent. West Ham are struggling but again I am going with the home team here.

The Hammers won’t go down, either, in my opinion. They have got to find some form but, if they do, they have got too much quality for that to happen. 1-2-1

I adore Villa’s work. You just keep thinking their winning run can’t continue, which is why I had Chelsea down to beat them – and, again, I was wrong about that.

In the Premier League this season, Villa have the most points conceded despite conceding positions, but they simply don’t lie.

We saw that again against Chelsea, who pummelled them for an hour before Watkins came on to make it 11 Villa wins in a row.

It was only this time last year that Arsenal put a bid in for Watkins, who supports them as well, but he stayed at Villa and if you were writing a script you would have him down as getting the winner again here.

Despite this, I have a feeling Arsenal will find a way to win. I am expecting the Gunners to find another gear or two very soon, but this might be more of a battle for them, that they have to get through.

For sure, Mikel Arteta’s side will have some nervy moments once more, but I predict they’ll hold on for the win.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Tom’s prediction: Wow, what a game this is. It is incredible that Villa just keep on winning and Morgan Rogers is such a fantastic player. If I could have any player for Sunderland at the moment, it would likely be him, aside from Erling Haaland.

Arsenal have to keep winning games to hold off City, but I can see them dropping points here. I predict Pep Guardiola’s side will also triumph in the league. The thing with Arsenal is that they do get nervy and you can see them having a dip, and drawing games like this. I don’t see that with City now. 2-2-2

Lots of Manchester United fans had a pop at me, again, for my negativity about their team before they played Newcastle United.

I know Ruben Amorim’s side proved me wrong by winning that game, but I think those fans would have to admit it was a very negative performance.

I’m going to support United’s victory this week, which could also bring some cheer back to the team. They need it.

However, if it were my fault, I would now relegate Wolves and simply kick them out of the league. They are more lambs than wolves at the moment and to have only picked up two points from 18 games is absolutely pathetic.

They are still scrapping to get something for Rob Edwards but they are desperately poor.

Since taking over, Edwards has lost all seven of his games and only allowed his team to score three goals. Surely he wishes he had stayed at Middlesbrough?

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Tom’s prediction: I really struggle to see Wolves picking up any points, whoever they play. They just lack so much quality and confidence too. United will have far too much for them. 3-0

Crystal Palace have lost three league games in a row, while Fulham have won three in a row.

Fulham are now looking up the table and level on points with Palace after moving into the top half, which was a long time ago.

I watched Palace’s defeat against Tottenham on Sunday and they just looked knackered, but they still created some chances and were unlucky not to take something from the game.

You could go with Fulham again if you were in good form, but I believe Palace would do better than West Ham did.

The Eagles could do with getting a break, as in a mid-season break, but they just need a bit of luck in front of goal too and they will be back to winning ways.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

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I correctly backed Leeds to get a point when these sides met Elland Road a few weeks back, but this is at Anfield and, besides that, Liverpool look a lot more confident now.

This is a different Leeds, too, of course. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has seven goals in six games, will be difficult to stop because they have a strong belief right now.

But Florian Wirtz seems to be coming to the fore for Liverpool now and they are building their confidence back up.

I’m hoping Arne Slot’s side can bring four league victories in a row here, even though you can see how weak their team is now.

It is not actually impossible that they could be back in the title race soon, either. After this game, Slot’s side travel to Fulham and Arsenal next week so let’s see where they are then.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

class=”ssrcss-1xjjfut-BoldText e5tfeyi3″>Tom’s prediction: Amazing game with a 3-3 victory at Elland Road. href=”https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/leeds-united” class=”ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0″>Leeds have found a system that works and Calvert-Lewin keeps scoring goals, but it feels like href=”https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/teams/liverpool” class=”ssrcss-k8mrr8-InlineLink e1kn3p7n0″>Liverpool are starting to find a bit of form again at Anfield. 3 – 1

Brentford are absolutely flying at home too, despite Spurs’ best away record in the Premier League once more coming from their win at Crystal Palace on Sunday, which saw them climb to 11th place.

So, how do I call this one? Let’s face it, regardless of whether they win or lose, Spurs are not an appealing team to watch right now.

Their form on the road will probably give Thomas Frank a bit of confidence going back to his old club, and he will get a good reception there, I am sure of that.

But Brentford have snuck up to eighth after taking seven points from their past three games, and they won’t lack belief either.

In this area of the table, anyone can win, which is not helpful to me when making a prediction. I can’t pick a winner here, so I am going for a draw.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1.

Tom’s prediction: I saw Jordan Henderson make his debut for Sunderland and he deserves more recognition. He is up there with Granit Xhaka as one of the signings of the season, because of his influence on Brentford.

Spurs and Thomas Frank need something, despite the Bees’ strong performance at home. I don’t think they will win it, though. 1 – 1 –

City did not have it all their own way when they beat Sunderland at Etihad Stadium, but they dismantled them in the end and they are capable of doing the same at the Stadium of Light.

Really, it’s hard to see anyone stopping City right now. Rayan Cherki is a big talent, and with such quick feet. You know a goal is close when Phil Foden almost scores against Forest on Saturday, just like he did when he did in that game.

Still, Sunderland have the aggression that saw them rattle Arsenal and they are so well organised defensively too.

That’s why they still haven’t lost at home this season, and I feel bad for writing them off so often, but I am sorry to say I am going to do it again.

I can’t help but feel like City have found their rhythm because I can’t see how fiercely City will be against them, but I’m hoping Sunderland will put up a fierce fight.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-3

Tom’s prediction: My head is telling me another thing, and my heart is telling me another!

From my heart, this is the sort of game we just win. I don’t know if we will, but even just the fact we are at home to City on New Year’s Day again really gives me that feeling – I’ve got very good memories of Ji Dong-won getting our winner against them on 1 January 2012.

However, it will be difficult if I keep my head. We had chances at the Etihad a few weeks ago but, being realistic, I think we need a full-strength side to get anything from City and we don’t have that at the moment because we have lost players to the Africa Cup of Nations.

We won’t win the game in the end, but I can’t promise that we’ll be defeated. So, with my fingers crossed, I am going to say we will get our noses ahead but then City will pile on the pressure and I don’t see us absorbing it and holding out. 1 – 1 –

With only that game left to play, Chris ‘ guest, The Wellermen singer Jonny Stewart, was leading the way on 110 points and could only be beaten by AI, which was 10 points behind him.

The BBC readers were another 30 points back and needed an exact score to tie, while Chris was already out of contention, on 50 points.

The readers backed Palace to win 2-1, but Stewart chose to go for a 2-2 draw and Sutton chose to go for a 0-0 result, but AI won by collecting 10 points.

That meant AI and Stewart shared the weekly victory – they both got five correct results, including two exact scores, for a tally of 110 points.

The BBC readers received four correct results with one exact score, leaving them with 70 points, while Chris also received five correct results, but with no exact scores for the other five.

” I’ve tried to change the rules so ties aren’t worth anything but unfortunately that wasn’t allowed, “Sutton said.