Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v Argylle director Matthew Vaughn

We know Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is leaving at the end of the season, but how will his announcement affect their Premier League title bid, starting with Wednesday’s game against Chelsea?

“I wouldn’t say Wednesday’s game is a must-win for Liverpool – but this is the start of their title run-in, and they really need to assert themselves.”

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

For this week’s midweek games – on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – he takes on Chelsea fan Matthew Vaughn, director of new spy film Argylle.

Argylle is released in UK cinemas on 2 February before streaming on Apple TV+.

Vaughn is friends with Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, and is excited about what the future holds for the Blues.

“I only met them when they got on board with Chelsea,” he told BBC Sport. “We had mutual friends and I just sort of dived in, going ‘don’t mess this up!’.

“I think the biggest fears from Chelsea fans when we were sold were that the new owners would not spend the sort of money that Roman Abramovich did – but then these guys came in and actually spent more.

“We’ve got to give them some grace, because they have come in and written out some of the biggest cheques anyone has ever seen. Yes, they will make mistakes because they are novices at this, but they are making mistakes with their hearts.

“Nobody wants this club to succeed more than these two do, and they are trying. They have had some really bad luck with injuries that have held the team back, and of course they are still learning about the game, but they want the best for the club and they just need time.

“They’ve told me their long-term plans and if you are a Chelsea fan and you know about them, you would just go up and give them a hug and say ‘thank you’ because they are doing everything they can to support the club.

“They want to turn Chelsea into a successful club and a profitable one, as in they want to win on the pitch and off it, and in the modern-day world both are important.

“I’d say as an example, look at Arsenal. They had a rough time of it for a while but they had the support and also a long-term plan – and now they are a very good team.”

Argylle is made by a production company owned by Boehly, and Chelsea’s players and Blues manager Mauricio Pochettino have been promoting the film in recent weeks.

Some fans were unhappy, however, when part of the promotion saw a group of men stand up behind the Chelsea dug-out during the win over Fulham at Stamford Bridge, who began brushing their teeth.

“I know some Chelsea supporters got irritated by that,” said Vaughn. “I was reading how some fans were saying ‘we shouldn’t have done it’ or ‘how dare we do it’.

“But when I’ve spoken to other fans about it, I’ve just pointed out that every football club has been advertising brands for years now. Is one brand OK and another not OK? That’s ridiculous.

“Chelsea need to do it, and we need to have different revenue streams so we can buy players, otherwise FFP [financial fair play] restricts us. The more commercial it becomes, it is bigger for our brand. I mean, the rest of the world loves Chelsea so this makes it more glamorous, and it’s more fun too.

“If it was distracting to the players then, yes, it’s a massive issue but it isn’t, so let us make Chelsea the greatest football brand – that’s what I want to be a part of.

“We’ve got a great team, we just need to get through our injuries, figure out who our number nine is and then everyone is going to be worried about us – we’re going to be a scary team.

“That will happen, and the owners will make it happen – so my message would be to give them some grace, because they just need time.”

Chris Sutton and Matthew Vaughn 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.

SUTTON’S PREDICTIONS

TUESDAY, 30 JANUARY

Nottingham Forest 1-2 Arsenal

This is only Arsenal’s third game in January so they will be well rested, but they have not just been putting their feet up.

Mikel Arteta’s side will benefit from the time they have been spending on the training ground, as well as feeling rejuvenated for the run-in.

That’s one of the reasons I fancy the Gunners here, against a Nottingham Forest side who are looking anxiously over their shoulders – especially now they are facing a possible points deduction for breaking the Premier League’s financial rules.

Forest are only four points above the relegation zone as things stand, so they really need something from this game – but I don’t see them getting it.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-2

Vaughn’s prediction: Can I give you the score that I want it to be, or the score that it will probably be?! I’m expecting it to be pretty one-sided. 0-3

Match report

Fulham 0-0 Everton

Fulham went out of both cups in the space of four days last week, despite not playing badly in either game. But their goals have dried up of late and that is what has cost them.

It was Everton who were wasteful when these sides met at Goodison Park on the opening day of the season, and Marco Silva’s side nicked the points.

This time, Everton are desperate – like Forest really – and Sean Dyche really needs a result, with his side just above the relegation zone.

This is a big game for the Toffees with tough fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester City coming up, but scoring goals is a problem for them too.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs to start firing for Everton if they are going to start winning games, but this one smells a lot like a draw to me.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Vaughn’s prediction: I love how unpredictable the Premier League is this season, no game seems to turn out the way you expect – which makes doing this a lot harder! 1-0.

Match report

Luton 4-0 Brighton

Luton got a good win over Everton in the FA Cup at the weekend and, in the Premier League, they are in a position that I didn’t think was possible for them at the start of the season – which is past the halfway stage with a real chance of staying up.

Even so, I am going to go with Brighton here. They did not score in either of their previous two league games but have hit nine in their past two FA Cup ties, and I don’t see Luton keeping them out.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Vaughn’s prediction: 0-2

Match report

Crystal Palace 3-2 Sheff Utd

This is a massive game for Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder because of how badly his side need a result, but it is also huge for Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson.

I just wonder what the atmosphere will be like at Selhurst Park and whether the Eagles fans will really get behind Hodgson after their protests against Arsenal in their last league game.

They need to, whatever they think about the overall direction of the club, because Palace are in danger of getting dragged into the relegation mire.

On the pitch, the return of Michael Olise from injury would be a massive boost for Hodgson and, if he is fit enough to start, then along with Eberechi Eze he will probably be the difference-maker in this one.

Sheffield United won’t lack commitment, we know that, but again it is a lack of quality that lets them down. I’ve spoken about Forest and Everton becoming desperate, but the Blades are bottom of the table and are already at that stage.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Vaughn’s prediction: Both of these teams are struggling so I am going to go for a draw. 0-0

Match report

Aston Villa 1-3 Newcastle

I remember this game well from the start of the season, when Newcastle won 5-1 at St James’ Park.

Aston Villa had a horrible day in the north-east, with Tyrone Mings picking up a serious injury on top of their heavy defeat, but I am expecting them to get their revenge here.

Newcastle got a good win against Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday but they have lost four in a row in the league and have a dreadful away record – Sheffield United are the only top-flight team to pick up fewer points on the road this season.

Villa Park is not the place you go to turn that kind of run around, and it feels like Newcastle’s season is unravelling a bit because they cannot sign any more players in this window.

Instead, they just seem to be trying to hang on to a few, with lots of rumours about who could still be leaving.

Sutton’s prediction: 3-1

Vaughn’s prediction: What a team Aston Villa are at the moment. I have to go with them here because Newcastle are a lion who came out roaring… but then their teeth fell out. 2-1

Match report

WEDNESDAY, 31 JANUARY

Man City 3-1 Burnley

Former City defender Vincent Kompany will get a great reception when he brings his Burnley side back to Etihad Stadium, but I don’t fancy his chances of getting anything else.

It’s a big night at the top of the table, with Liverpool playing Chelsea later on Wednesday, and I am not expecting City to drop any points. I like the way Burnley play football but they can be a little naive as well.

It won’t be a pummelling but City should win comfortably, and the hardest thing for their title rivals to consider is that Kevin de Bruyne is getting fitter and Erling Haaland will be back in action soon.

City have got such strength in depth and we have reached the stage of the season where they usually put their foot down. It would be a major shock if they slipped up at home to the Clarets.

Sutton’s prediction: 3-0

Vaughn’s prediction: City have got something to prove and we could see a big scoreline – I think they are just going to go for it. 4-0

Tottenham 3-2 Brentford

Brentford have found it tough this season but having Ivan Toney back has already been a huge boost. He came back with something special against Nottingham Forest, and it looked like he had never been away.

These two sides drew 2-2 at the start of the campaign and I don’t think there will be much between them this time either, even if Tottenham are missing Son Heung-min.

Spurs still have an outside chance of winning the title, even if I don’t think anyone necessarily believes they will, and if they want to stay in that race then they need to win games like this one.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Vaughn’s prediction: Toney delivered, didn’t he? He said he was going to come back with a bang, and he certainly did that. I so admire Brentford as a team too, but I obviously loathe Tottenham! 1-1

Liverpool 4-1 Chelsea

I am at Anfield for 5 Live for this one and it is a massive game for Liverpool.

This is a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final and it is a dangerous game for Liverpool after Klopp’s announcement that he is leaving at the end of the season.

Chelsea have won their past three Premier League games, so they are slowly getting there and finding some consistency.

There have been some great games between these two teams down the years and I am not totally sure who will come out on top in this one.

Given Chelsea’s position in the table, they don’t have as much riding on this and, if you ask their fans, they would probably rather win the cup final than this game.

You still don’t know what you are going to get from Pochettino’s team, good or bad, and if it clicks they can cause Liverpool a few problems – but I am still going to go with a Liverpool win, although it will be very close.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Vaughn’s prediction: This is two days before Argylle opens. I worked with Gary Barlow on one of the songs in the film – he is a Liverpool fan and he and I have had a lot of fun over the past 10 years, depending on whose team is up or down. They are doing better than us right now but we have had our moments at Anfield and I just can’t go against Chelsea here, although my first thought is that it will be a draw. 1-2

THURSDAY, 1 FEBRUARY

West Ham v Bournemouth (19:30)

This is not an easy one to call. West Ham have been stretched by injuries and, other than that heavy defeat by Liverpool, Bournemouth have been in really good form.

They drew 1-1 when they met on the opening day of the season and I can see this game being just as close.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Vaughn’s prediction: 1-0

Wolves v Man Utd (20:15)

I feel sorry for Erik ten Hag. Even when his Manchester United side win, there always seems to be something going on.

This time it is about what is happening with Marcus Rashford or Bruno Fernandes basically saying some of their players are too greedy in front of goal.

This is a tough game for United and Wolves will still feel hard done by after creating so many chances at Old Trafford in August, when they were the better team and still losing the game.

United are getting their injured players back, like Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, but I am still not convinced by them as a team.

They are good on the counter, but Wolves are well balanced and I don’t think they will get caught out too often there.

Gary O’Neil’s side are hard to beat, so I am going to go with a draw.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Vaughn’s prediction: United are a very weird team. We know Chelsea are unpredictable and I kind of know why, because our problems are obvious, but I really don’t know what is happening with United. With the players and coach they have, I don’t understand why they are not doing much better than they are. Wolves are a hard team to beat and I can see them sneaking a goal and then shutting up shop. 1-0

How did Sutton do last time?

Sutton had two guests for week 21, which was staggered over a fortnight because of the Premier League’s winter break, and he beat them both.

After part one, Sutton led singer-songwriters Declan McKenna and JayO by 70-20.

In part two, Sutton got three more correct results from the remaining five games, with no exact scores, giving him 30 points and a total of 100 points overall.

McKenna and JayO both picked up 20 more points, leaving them both on 40 points.

How did you get on?

Just as in part one of week 21, it was the draws that caught you out. You went for West Ham to beat Sheffield United and would have been right if not for the Blades’ 103rd-minute equaliser from the penalty spot.

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