Premier League & Carabao Cup final predictions: Chris Sutton v former England striker Jermain Defoe – BBC
Liverpool are chasing four trophies this season and are looking to lift their first on Sunday when they play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final – but how much will the Reds be weakened by injuries?
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton said: "The Liverpool team that beat Luton on Wednesday had five changes from the side that beat Chelsea on 31 January, and I am left wondering if their big guns are going to be fit?
"If they aren't, Chelsea have a real chance. This is a one-off game and I don't know why, but I have a feeling about Chelsea, even if I don't think they would beat Liverpool under any other circumstances."
As well as the Carabao Cup final, Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.
For this weekend's games, and Sunday's big game from Wembley, he takes on former England striker Jermain Defoe.
'Defoe', a new feature-length biography about the 41-year-old's life and professional career, is in UK cinemas for one night only on 29 February.
"I've not seen the completed version yet," Defoe told BBC Sport. "I don't want to see it before the premiere, I want to watch it all on the night.
"The stuff I've seen, of course I'm happy with it. It was the right time to tell my story, for people to understand who I am and where I came from. Hopefully they enjoy it."
Defoe scored more than 300 senior goals in his professional career before retiring in 2022. He started work as Tottenham's under-18s coach later that year
The film tells Defoe's life story from his childhood in east London to his current position as a coach at Tottenham's academy, and his ambition to be a top-flight manager.
"I didn't have it easy as a kid, but I wouldn't change anything," Defoe explained.
"I wouldn't change my journey because my background meant my mindset from a young age was that I needed to work harder than the person next to me.
"So, for me, everything was like a competition. Even when I went to Lilleshall [the Football Association's former School of Excellence] or when I signed for West Ham when I was 16, I thought the same way.
"I joined West Ham from Charlton for £1.6m before I had even kicked a ball but I only walked into the building with potential, that was all. I knew there were no guarantees that I was going to make it.
"I wanted to make my family proud and I knew to do that, I had to work hard. That meant, whatever the person next to me was doing, I had to do more."
Defoe went on to score 162 Premier League goals for West Ham, Spurs, Portsmouth and Sunderland, placing him ninth on the competition's all-time scoring list, and win 57 England caps.
"I always gave everything, because I always felt I had something to prove," he said. "My life could have been very different with the distractions I had around me, so I feel blessed and I am grateful for what I achieved.
"I felt like some things in my career were meant to be, but I had to work hard too though, because talent alone is not enough.
"You can't just think 'oh yeah, I'm doing well, I'm going to be a footballer' because if you don't put the hard yards in too, you won't make it – I don't care how good you are.
"I see kids in academies who are the best players but don't have the right mindset. Then there are the ones who might not be in the most talented group but they are willing to work hard every day, and they keep on improving. That was the way I always saw it."
As well as detailing his career, 'Defoe' also tells the story of his life off the pitch
One of the players who inspired him as a boy was Arsenal striker Ian Wright, who moved to West Ham a few months before Defoe joined the Hammers.
"Growing up, I loved watching Wrighty, copying his movement and studying his finishing," Defoe said. "Then, the day I arrive at West Ham, he is the first person I see.
"I am quite spiritual, so this is what I mean when I say some things are meant to be. What are the chances that a young kid from the East End, who is totally obsessed with Ian Wright, just happens to be in the same building as him on the day I sign my first professional contract?
"Wrighty was not just there at the same time, he helped me as much as he could. Joe Cole was in the West Ham youth team with me and he always said it was like the master and the apprentice. He [Wright] was coming to the end of his career then, while I was at right at the start. I was a sponge, and I soaked up everything I could.
"We used to sit together and speak for hours. He would hold on to my kit in training so I would time my runs better, and we would practise finishing together too.
"It all meant that when I made my first-team debut the following season in a League Cup tie against Walsall, I was confident and I was ready.
"I scored within about six minutes of getting on the pitch and it was a brilliant feeling, but it just didn't happen out of nothing.
"I knew it was all down to the hard work I had put in on the training pitch, and that's the message I pass on to young players I work with now, when I am trying to get the best out of them."
Chris Sutton and Jermain Defoe were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
Carabao Cup final prediction
When?
Result
Sutton
Jermain
SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY
Chelsea v Liverpool
0-1 AET
1-2 AET
1-2
AET = After extra-time
Premier League – week 26
When?
Result
Sutton
Jermain
WEDNESDAY, 21 FEBRUARY
Liverpool v Luton
4-1
2-0
4-1
SATURDAY, 24 FEBRUARY
Aston Villa v Nott'm Forest
4-2
2-0
3-1
Brighton v Everton
1-1
1-2
3-1
Crystal Palace v Burnley
3-0
1-0
1-1
Man Utd v Fulham
1-2
2-1
2-1
Bournemouth v Man City
0-1
1-3
1-3
Arsenal v Newcastle
4-1
2-1
2-1
SUNDAY, 25 FEBRUARY
Wolves v Sheff Utd
1-0
2-0
2-0
MONDAY, 26 FEBRUARY
West Ham v Brentford
4-2
1-2
2-2
Chelsea's game against Tottenham has been postponed because the Blues are in the Carabao Cup final. Liverpool's fixture against Luton was brought forward for the same reason.
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
Visit your Premier League club's page with all the latest news, analysis and fan views, and sign up for notifications
All matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.
Both of these teams won last weekend, and it feels like Nottingham Forest have picked up a bit even if their results have not always reflected their improvement.
Villa's brilliant home form has dropped off – they have lost their past three games there in all competitions – but that is only a blip. Ollie Watkins is back in form and they should return to winning ways on Saturday.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Jermain's prediction: 3-1
Match report
This was the game at the end of last season where Everton absolutely demolished Brighton. Sean Dyche's side were brilliant that night, and their win went a long way towards keeping them up.
Everton are badly in need of a repeat of that result this time, too. Although they have drawn three of their past four games, they haven't won in the Premier League since 16 December.
Brighton have been back in the goals recently after a spell at the start of the year where they could not score, but I am going to back Everton to nick this one.
They will have the same gameplan they used when they beat the Seagulls in May, which is to defend deep and counter-attack quickly. If it works again, they will win.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Jermain's prediction: 3-1
Match report
I really don't know what to make of Burnley despite being at Turf Moor for their defeat by Arsenal last weekend. That was such a mis-match, but I don't how damaging a defeat it will prove to be for Vincent Kompany's side.
The Clarets will stand a much better chance against Palace, but the Eagles are a bit of an unknown quantity in Oliver Glasner's first game in charge.
You cannot just switch overnight from one playing style to another, so it is going to take time for Glasner to make a difference, but there should be a positive atmosphere at Selhurst Park and I can see the new manager 'bounce' working for them here.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Jermain's prediction: 1-1
Match report
Manchester United keep on winning – Sunday's success at Luton was their fifth in a row in all competitions – and I'm pleased to see Rasmus Hojlund has carried on scoring too.
Fulham were very unlucky to lose to United at Craven Cottage in November, but their away form is not the best. They have only won once away in the league all season, against Everton on the opening weekend.
I don't think this will be easy for United, because Fulham are a dangerous counter-attacking team, but Erik ten Hag's time are playing with more freedom at the moment, which is why I think they will win.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Jermain's prediction: 2-1
Match report
Manchester City were a bit ugly in their win over Brentford on Tuesday night, but they got the job done in the end.
I can see something similar happening here, with City having to fight for it but finding a way to win.
Bournemouth have not won since Boxing Day, but they were unlucky not to beat Newcastle last week and they don't appear to be in any relegation danger.
I can see them scoring against City, but they won't have anything else to celebrate.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
Jermain's prediction: 1-3
Match report
There was plenty of controversy when these two sides met at St James' Park in November, including fury towards the VAR from Arsenal over Newcastle's winner. That might mean there is an edge to this game, from the start.
Arsenal were disappointing in their defeat by Porto on Wednesday, which surprised me a little, but Porto really disrupted them.
Newcastle may well try to do the same thing but I am expecting the Gunners to bounce back. They were excellent when I watched them beat Burnley last week and the Magpies concede too many goals. including eight in their past three games, so I think Arsenal will find a way through.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Jermain's prediction: 2-1
Match report
Wolves will win – the only question is: by how many?
Sheffield United are down as far as I am concerned, they have had it.
They beat Wolves at Bramall Lane at the start of November but that doesn't matter – apart from their win at Luton earlier this month, it has felt like the Blades are getting smashed every week.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Jermain's prediction: 2-0
Match report
I was at Anfield a few weeks ago, when Liverpool absolutely thrashed Chelsea 4-1. To say it was a demolition does not do it justice.
It was billed then as a dress rehearsal for this final and, when I was thinking about it afterwards, I just thought there is no way you would give the Blues any chance whatsoever based on what happened in that game.
But then you see Chelsea hold Manchester City last weekend, when they almost held on at 1-0 and, with better finishing, had the chances to go further in front.
Meanwhile, with Liverpool, there are injury doubts over so many of their forwards, including Mohamed Salah. Is he fit, or not? We don't know.
Liverpool were woeful in the first half against Luton on Wednesday, then wonderful after the break. We will have to wait and see which Liverpool turn up, but the same can obviously be said about Chelsea.
So, the question is whether I am going to end up being hoodwinked by that display against City, or whether the tide really is about to turn for Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino.
I am not convinced that the latter is the case. As I said at the very start, I was tempted to go with Chelsea… but I have talked myself out of it.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2 after extra-time
Jermain's prediction: 1-2
Match report
Both of these teams badly need a win. Brentford actually played really well in their narrow defeat by Manchester City on Tuesday, and I have a sneaky feeling they will get something here.
The atmosphere, mood and everything surrounding West Ham boss David Moyes definitely won't help his team here, and I think it will actually work against the Hammers.
I really feel for Moyes with what is going on at the moment, and it is definitely affecting his side's home form because they are low on confidence.
I hope Moyes wins, and I hope the supporters get behind him, but I don't see either happening on Monday.
He has over-achieved, but it feels like the tide has turned and more fans are against him now. It's a little like what happened to Roy Hodgson at Crystal Palace, and we saw how that ended up.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Jermain's prediction: 2-2
Sutton got four correct results from 10 games in week 25, with no exact scores, for a total of 40 points.
He was beaten by rapper and Chelsea fan Songer, who got five correct results with one exact score, giving him 80 points.
There were also two Premier League games played in midweek.
Manchester City's 1-0 win against Brentford on Tuesday was a game postponed from week 18, because City were playing in the Fifa Club World Cup.
Sutton and his guest from that week, 86TVs guitarist Felix White, picked up 10 points apiece – White thought City would win 2-0 while Sutton went with a 3-0 scoreline.
That leaves White with a final tally of 30 points, and confirmed Sutton's win that week, with a score of 70 points.
Liverpool's 4-1 victory over Luton was brought forward from this weekend to Wednesday, because the Reds are playing in Sunday's Carabao Cup final.
Sutton picked up 10 points after predicting a 2-0 Liverpool win but Defoe did even better – he picked up 40 points after going for a 4-1 success for Jurgen Klopp's side, giving him the early advantage in week 26.
There is one other game yet to be scheduled from that set of fixtures, which is Chelsea versus Tottenham. Defoe has gone for a 2-1 Spurs win in that game, and he and Sutton will know their final points tallies once it has been played.
Guest leaderboard 2023-24
Anthony Joshua
150
Eddie Hearn
130
CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson
120
Barry Can't Swim
110
Anish Kumar
100
Fabian Edwards, Joelah from 1Xtra, KSI, Midas the Jagaban
90
Chris Sutton
80 (average after 25 weeks)
Songer
80
'Hollywood' Chris Dobey, David Earl, Keke from 1Xtra, Jazzie Zonzolo
70
Tommy Fury, Joe from Nothing But Thieves
60
Gabe of Jamie Johnson FC, Ed Leigh, Tash from The Football Academy, Matthew Vaughn, Rick Witter
50
AEW wrestler Claudio Castagnoli. Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan from Blossoms, Declan McKenna, JayO
40
Vigil star Dougray Scott, Felix White
30
Willie J Healey
20
Suggs, Future Islands frontman Samuel T Herring
10
Total scores after week 25
Chris Sutton
1,990
Guests
1,700
Sutton v guests
P25
W14
D5
L6
You had a good week, extending your overall lead over Chris and his guests.
One of the games you called correctly was Aston Villa's victory at Fulham.
The vote results showed 40% of you went with a draw, the same percentage that predicted a Villa victory – but a deeper dive showed that, out of of almost 50,000 votes, 150 more of you went with the right outcome.
You were also right about City beating Brentford and Liverpool overcoming Luton, so pick up more points there.
You v Chris & the guests – week 25
1. You
7/10
2. Guest
5/10
3. Chris
4/10
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.
Total scores after week 25
1. You
140/250
2. Chris
133/250
3. Guests
119/250
Our coverage of your Premier League club is bigger and better than ever before – follow your team and sign up for notifications in the BBC Sport app to make sure you never miss a moment
Premier League official site
Monaco Grand Prix: First practice – live text
Build-up to the FA Cup and Scottish Cup finals plus manager latest including Chelsea shortlist
County Championship: Day one of nine matches – live text
The Kinsellas are back and thriving
Watch the second series of the hit crime drama exclusively on BBC iPlayer
Hunting a wanted people smuggler on the run
Follow journalist Sue Mitchell and former soldier Rob Lawrie on the hunt for a crime boss
Can the Probation Service keep us safe?
Panorama goes undercover, revealing how easy it is for convicted criminals to go on the run
'He felt sure there were going to be accidents'
First-person accounts of the tragic death of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna in 1994
'Nadal's success made Roland Garros feel like the Bernabeu'
How important is FA Cup final for Ten Hag's future?
Ecclestone and Dean star as England beat Pakistan. Video
The best Premier League dynasties – who was the greatest?
Meet the man who once beat Oleksandr Usyk
What will Liverpool's 'Scottish Rooney' bring to Euros squad?
'Skinny kid' Bolding close to Olympic rowing dream
Ruthless Southgate picks squad grounded on brutal reality
Phil McNulty's end-of-season Premier League report
Does Newey guarantee success and should Red Bull replace Perez? – F1 Q&A
'The Valhalla nail-biter that had everything'
Ian Wright's emotional Match of the Day montage. Video
WSL title perfect end to Hayes' unique story
Usyk's epic victory over Fury in 10 pictures
Black, white and shades of grey – what's behind sprint's race divide?
© 2024 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
