Manchester United are chasing a fourth straight Premier League win when they visit struggling Luton on Sunday, but is talk of a resurgence by Erik ten Hag’s side premature?
“United had something about them in their win against Aston Villa last week, so good on them,” said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton.
“What a great story Harry Maguire’s revival in form has been, Alejandro Garnacho has been really lively and Rasmus Hojlund and Scott McTominay are both in the goals.
“But I keep hearing United are ‘back’. No they are not, it’s far too early to say that, especially after a game where they rode their luck like 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 rapper Songer, who is a Chelsea fan.
Songer’s latest single Toxic (Freestyle) made the UK top 30 this month and has had more than 8m streams.
He topped the UK hip-hop charts last year with his debut album, Skala, which also made the top 30 in the UK album charts and accumulated 20m streams.
Songer references Chelsea in lots of his lyrics but his 2021 song, Carefree (Chelsea freestyle) is a song all about his love for the Blues
Songer, 23, is too young to remember Sutton’s single season at Chelsea in 1999-2000 – but that is probably for the best.
The rapper, whose full name is James Songer, grew up in Berkshire and started supporting the Blues because his older brother followed them.
“As a kid, it was a case that I did whatever he did,” Songer told BBC Sport. “And I was growing up in the era of Jose Mourinho when he first arrived, so it was hard not to fall in love with Chelsea.
“We had some amazing players during that time but my favourite Chelsea player ever is Joe Cole. I loved the way he played – as a kid, he was so exciting to watch – and at the time I was playing out wide myself.
“I loved taking people on when I was younger, because I was quick… and I just wanted to be like Joe.
“Later on as I got a bit older, and a bit slower, I moved a bit more central. I still wanted to be like Joe though!”
Chelsea have got the Carabao Cup final to look forward to at the end of February, but their Premier League form has been inconsistent all season, leaving them stuck in mid-table.
“I think we just need to be patient,” Songer added. “It’s a difficult one because our fanbase’s frustrations are completely valid – including my own – but it is going to be a never-ending cycle if we don’t get behind the team and give them time to develop.
“At the moment I have no idea what to expect when we play – good or bad – but I do have faith that we will get better. I don’t think our form will change in the short term, but by next season we will be right back up there.
“It is a confusing time at the club because we have a new team on top of new ownership and a new manager, so it’s no wonder everything has been up in the air.
Chelsea boss Pochettino receives ‘good text’ from owners amid pressure
“I wasn’t keen on Mauricio Pochettino at the start because he feels very ‘Spursy’ to me after his time there, but I do feel it would be ludicrous to sack him at this point, because it just means an even harder job for his replacement.
“I think Poch deserves to get to a point where he can say he came in and settled the team down, because it has been so chaotic.
“So many of our players are young, so there is a lot more to come from this group and that is a big positive.
“Some of them are younger than me and I am still nervous in everything I do in my career. Let’s give them a chance – some of them will blossom into something special and some might not, but I do think we’ve got to give them enough time to find out.”
Chris Sutton and Songer were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
When?ResultSuttonSongerSATURDAY, 17 FEBRUARYBrentford v Liverpoolx-x1-21-3Burnley v Arsenalx-x1-20-3Fulham v Aston Villax-x1-11-2Newcastle v Bournemouthx-x2-11-1Nott’m Forest v West Hamx-x2-10-0Tottenham v Wolves x-x3-12-1Man City v Chelseax-x2-02-2SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARYSheff Utd v Brightonx-x0-21-1Luton v Man Utdx-x2-22-1MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARYEverton v Crystal Palacex-x2-02-1
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, 17 FEBRUARYBrentford v Liverpool (12:30 GMT)
Brentford have scored three goals in each of their past two home games against Liverpool, and I can see them giving the Reds more problems this time too.
Arsenal and Manchester City have both had to fight hard to get away wins against the Bees this season, and Jurgen Klopp’s side need to do the same to stay on top of the Premier League.
It won’t be easy for them, though. I was at Anfield for 5 live last week to see Liverpool beat Burnley, but they weren’t very convincing in that game and I’d give Brentford a real chance of taking at least a point here.
Liverpool have been stretched by injuries recently and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s latest knee problem is another blow, but Joe Gomez can cover at right-back, plus Conor Bradley is back in training. Mohamed Salah is getting back to full fitness too and might even feature on Saturday.
Salah’s return would be a huge boost and will increase Liverpool’s firepower, but their attack is very strong even without him and I think that is what will get them over the line here.
I am going with my heart over my head, really, because I’d like to see a close title race and Liverpool need to keep winning to keep City at bay.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Songer’s prediction: Brentford are not the most consistent team this season. I still think they will stay up comfortably in the end, but Liverpool are going to win this. 1-3
Burnley v Arsenal
I am at Turf Moor for this one and I don’t think it will be as straightforward for Arsenal as some people might think.
As ridiculous as it might sound, I was very impressed by Burnley when I watched them in their defeat against Liverpool. They started well, were well organised, and created chances, big chances… they just couldn’t take them.
In the end, they paid the price for a couple of indiual errors which get heightened when they happen in a close game like that one. They cannot afford many more of those if they want to stay in the Premier League.
Also, and I said this during my co-commentary at Anfield, the Clarets are not in a position to pinpoint certain games as being winnable. They have won three league games all season and they need to win at least three more just to get out of the relegation zone, so they need to approach every game as being ‘must-win’, including this one.
We know the importance of it for Arsenal at the other end of the table too. The Gunners blew West Ham away last week and they will need to keep their focus here because their title hopes rely on a very small margin of error, the same as Liverpool’s do.
Mikel Arteta’s side have just beaten Liverpool and West Ham, so this might seem as if it is the easiest of their current run. But despite four straight wins, which also includes Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace, it is still a dangerous fixture because Burnley are scrapping for their lives.
I do think Arsenal will win though. Last season, the Gunners started well and fell away. This season, I think it’s fair to say their early performances were not quite at that breathtaking or exhilarating level, but maybe this is their time to get going this time. It’s probably a better way to do it, if they can.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Songer’s prediction: Weirdly enough, I was actually at Arsenal’s game against West Ham last week. My old man is a Hammers fan and I was sat with a load of Arsenal fans, so I was right in the middle. I can’t say I am Arsenal’s biggest fan, so I wasn’t too pleased with the result either. They did look good though, and Burnley look a bit shaky, so after winning 6-0 away I am going for another comfortable Arsenal win. 0-3
Fulham v Aston Villa
Boubacar Kamara’s injury is a serious setback for Aston Villa and, with Fulham usually strong at home, this is a difficult game for Unai Emery’s side.
It feels like Villa have to win this, with Tottenham and Manchester United both hitting form in the race for the top four.
But Fulham have started scoring again, with Rodrigo Muniz getting two goals in their win over Bournemouth last week, and I feel like they will get something here as well.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Songer’s prediction: Villa played well against Manchester United last week, after Chelsea had given them a bit of a beating in the FA Cup a few days earlier. I love Unai Emery and Villa are a class team, so I am going to back them here. 1-2
Newcastle v Bournemouth
Newcastle’s results have picked up a bit recently but now there is a lot of talk about their sporting director Dan Ashworth going to Manchester United.
Bournemouth have already beaten them once this season, which was when it all kicked off afterwards as Magpies captain Kieran Trippier had an altercation with his side’s fans.
I just can’t back against Newcastle at home, though. Their manager Eddie Howe is also facing his old club and he cannot afford to lose to them on his own patch.
Anthony Gordon is fit for the Magpies, and he will be a threat, while Bournemouth’s form has dropped off a bit this year after they ended 2023 so well.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Songer’s prediction: I’m not sold on Newcastle at all this season and I actually think Howe is in a bit of trouble, even though I don’t think he should be, because they might be thinking about their next manager now he has built them up. I can see them dropping points here, too. 1-1
Nottingham Forest v West Ham
It’s fair to say that both these teams need a victory – neither side has managed one in the league in 2024 – and this is a hard one to call.
The usual way of thinking with West Ham would be to ask if they are going to bounce back from their 6-0 home defeat by Arsenal.
I am going to say they won’t. We know Da Moyes’ teams have been resilient in the past but I can’t back anyone who has been beaten that heavily the previous week – it is not just a case of clicking your fingers and turning it around.
The Hammers surely can’t be lax as they were against Arsenal, but I am going with Nottingham Forest to find a way through.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Songer’s prediction: Oof, this is definitely not one for the neutral! I mean the West Ham fans were furious when I watched them the other day, and you could feel it, so I am not sure if the players are going to have much motivation. 0-0
Tottenham v Wolves
Wolves won the reverse of this fixture in November with two goals in stoppage time but I can see Tottenham getting their revenge here.
I was right last week with my hunch that Spurs were going to beat Brighton, although my guest – the actor Stephen Moyer – did even better and got the 2-1 scoreline spot on.
Spurs just find a way, don’t they, with ‘Ange-ball’? They never stop coming forward, which is why they keep scoring goals.
Son Heung-min is back from the Asian Cup and he will start this week. Tottenham will concede, even with Wolves forward Matheus Cunha out injured, but they are just relentless in attack, and they are going to give someone such a hiding soon.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-1
Songer’s prediction: I don’t feel like Tottenham have any chance of competing for the title and I also hope they don’t make the top four. I always have a bet about the top four before the season starts and I stuck Villa at fourth, which meant I got odds of 150-1 for the order I went with. So, I am hoping Spurs drop points here… but I am thinking they will come out on top. I can see it being 1-1 for a long time and Spurs scraping something at the end. 2-1
Man City v Chelsea (17:30)
Cole Palmer is back at Etihad Stadium with Chelsea but it might be asking too much for him to have the same impact against his old club as when they drew 4-4 with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge and he stuck away an injury-time penalty.
I think Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola made a mistake letting Palmer leave, but this game is only going to end one way – a Chelsea defeat.
City are just too good. They have got so many good players, and more to come off the bench. Jack Grealish’s injury against FC Copenhagen was a blow but they had Jeremy Doku to come on, who is a nightmare to play against.
Chelsea gave it a real go in that draw in November, but the defending champions have gone up a notch or two since then, while Mauricio Pochettino’s side keep going up and down.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Songer’s prediction: There will be goals, although not as many as last time. The past couple of years at Chelsea it has felt like we make it hard for ourselves against the smaller teams but, against the bigger teams, we are actually not too bad. So, we will be up for it. I am not delusional, but I will be positive and I am going to say we will get a draw. For a wildcard, I reckon there is going to be a red card in the game as well. 2-2
Songer on which players have impressed him for Chelsea this season: Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are a given. I love Enzo and he is the player that I have zero worries about – he will turn into one of the best midfielders in the world, if he isn’t one already, but it is hard playing in such a chaotic side at the moment. I am a big fan of Noni Madueke too, because he is bold and he takes risks. It doesn’t always work out. but he is a gambler and I like that.
Conor Gallagher is a must-keep too, especially with not all of our signings working out. If we sold him, I think there would be a really negative reaction from the fans. He’s come through from the youth team, which is important, but he is also exactly the type of player we need at the moment. If we sold him, all that would happen is we’d have to buy another player like him, only one not as good. Gallagher is flying at the moment but even if he doesn’t have the best game, he never stops trying. You can see he cares, and I think it would be carnage if we let him leave – I would be gutted.
SUNDAY, 18 FEBRUARYSheff Utd v Brighton (14:00 GMT)
Sheffield United showed they have still got a bit of fight left in them with their win over Luton, but they really need to follow that up by beating Brighton too.
The Blades won’t lack any effort but I just feel like the Seagulls will have too much quality for them, like they did when they beat them 5-2 at Bramall Lane in the FA Cup a few weeks ago.
Beating the Hatters gave Chris Wilder’s side a tiny glimmer of hope of avoiding the drop but, after this result, I am expecting them to feel as flat as a leftover pancake from Shrove Tuesday.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
Songer’s prediction: Brighton don’t seem to be quite the same team they were last season. I can see Sheffield United getting something here. 1-1
Luton v Man Utd (16:30 GMT)
This is big for Luton because I don’t think anyone saw their defeat to bottom side Sheffield United coming.
With Everton losing to Manchester City earlier on Saturday, it was a big chance for them to open up a gap on the bottom three, but they couldn’t take it.
I just wonder if that will trigger a little bit of doubt, but their performances at home have been been very good against the bigger teams and I have a feeling we will see more of the same on Sunday.
Manchester United only beat Luton narrowly at Old Trafford in November, and this time I expect it to be even closer.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
Songer’s prediction: United are difficult to predict, because they’ve been getting good results without always playing that well. I don’t know if this is out of hope, but I am going to go with Luton here. 2-1
MONDAY, 19 FEBRUARYEverton v Crystal Palace (20:00 GMT)
There has been something of a malaise around Crystal Palace recently, but they were actually very spirited in their defeat against Chelsea on Monday.
The Eagles have missed their big guns, though. Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze have not played enough for them this season.
I looked into it for the Monday Night Club and Olise has made only eight Premier League starts in 2023-24. Eze has 13, but together they have only made four. They are the go-to guys for them in an attacking sense and they haven’t been available.
Everton will see this as an incredible opportunity to end their long wait for three points and I bet Sean Dyche has them fired up.
They need a win anyway, but it will be especially important if the teams around them pick up points earlier in the weekend.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Songer’s prediction: Palace fans are unhappy enough as it is, even before they threw the lead away against us on Monday. I think the Eagles’ players heads will be down whereas Everton always seem to pull something out of the bag when it matters most. 1-0
How did Sutton do last time?
The unbeaten run is over – for the first time since week 14, Sutton has lost.
He got six correct results from 10 games in week 24, with no exact scores, for a total of 60 points.
His guest, Sexy Beast actor Stephen Moyer, got four correct results but with one exact score, leaving him with 70 points.
Anthony Joshua150Eddie Hearn130CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson120Barry Can’t Swim110Anish Kumar100Fabian Edwards, Joelah from 1Xtra, KSI, Midas the Jagaban90Chris Sutton84 (average after 24 weeks)’Hollywood’ Chris Dobey, Da Earl, Keke from 1Xtra, Jazzie Zonzolo, Stephen Moyer70Tommy Fury, Joe from Nothing But Thieves60Gabe of Jamie Johnson FC, Ed Leigh, Tash from The Football Academy, Matthew Vaughn, Rick Witter50AEW wrestler Claudio Castagnoli. Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan from Blossoms, Declan McKenna, JayO40Vigil star Dougray Scott30Willie J Healey, Felix White20Suggs, Future Islands frontman Samuel T Herring10Chris Sutton2,020Guests1,590How did you get on?
It is fair to say that almost no-one saw Sheffield United’s win at Luton coming. Chris and Stephen both got it wrong and just 4% of you backed the Blades to pick up three points.
Not many of you thought Manchester United would win at Aston Villa, either. Only 27% of you got that one right.
=1. Chris6/10=1. You6/103. Guest4/10
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.
