Premier League predictions: Chris Sutton v darts star & Newcastle fan 'Hollywood' Chris Dobey – BBC
Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 7-0 at Anfield last season, but will Jurgen Klopp's side inflict similar damage on the Red Devils on Sunday?
BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton said: "I know some people believe that United can go to Anfield, be stubborn and get a result.
"But how can they do that, in the form they are in? Bournemouth slaughtered them and they didn't lay a finger on Bayern Munich in a game they had to win.
"It probably won't be 7-0 again, but it might not be far off. In fact, a 7-0 Liverpool win is more likely than a United victory."
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 darts star 'Hollywood' Chris Dobey, who supports Newcastle.
Dobey is ranked 17th in the world and is about to take part in the PDC World Darts Championship, which starts at Alexandra Palace in London on Friday.
Dobey's best showing at the PDC World Championship came last year, when he reached the quarter-final before being beaten by eventual runner-up, Michael van Gerwen
Dobey is a lifelong Newcastle fan, who never considered supporting anyone else.
"There was only one team for me," he told BBC Sport.
"I am from Bedlington and being pretty local to Newcastle, my whole family supported them, so it was always only going to be a matter of time before I got into it as well.
"My first game was in the FA Cup against Everton in 1999, when I was eight. My grandad took me to St James' Park, we won 4-1 and the atmosphere was amazing.
"Alan Shearer was my hero when I was a kid, and he was my favourite player growing up.
"I was a big fan of Nobby Solano and Gary Speed too, and with every different era you have someone new who stands out, but Shearer was always the one for me.
"At the moment my favourites are the local lads, really. It's great to have some in the team and doing well. They give 110% and they know what the club is about, and where it should be, and also what the fans have been through in the past.
"So, it's been great to see the likes of Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn not just playing, but playing exceptionally well."
Dobey has his own song, Hollywood, especially written for his walk-on. He starts his bid to be world champion on 22 December, against either William O'Connor or Bhav Patel.
Newcastle are no longer involved in any European competition following Wednesday's defeat by AC Milan, which was their third successive loss in all competitions, but Dobey is still hopeful they will be back in the Champions League next season.
"We always knew it was going to be hard to make the top four again, because of the demands on the squad from being in the Champions League," he added.
"But we've actually being doing better recently than I thought we would, especially when you consider the number of injuries we have picked up. We have had some really good wins against the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the past few weeks… and the draw that should have been a win against Paris St-Germain as well.
"Those were three big results before our form dipped a bit, but playing the same team every week the way we have done is always going to catch up with you eventually.
"If we get some players back, there is no reason why we can't make the Champions League places again, but I think we need to spend in January as well, just to get some back-up.
"At the moment we are fighting. We have got 12 key players out but we are still up there and we are not out of it, especially because fifth might be enough to qualify this time too."
Chris Sutton and Chris Dobey were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
Premier League – week 17
When?
Result
Sutton
Dobey
FRIDAY, 15 DECEMBER
Nott'm Forest v Tottenham
0-2
1-3
1-2
SATURDAY, 16 DECEMBER
Bournemouth v Luton
A-A
2-0
2-0
Chelsea v Sheff Utd
2-0
2-0
3-1
Man City v Crystal Palace
2-2
2-0
3-0
Newcastle v Fulham
3-0
3-1
2-0
Burnley v Everton
0-2
1-2
1-2
SUNDAY, 17 DECEMBER
Arsenal v Brighton
2-0
3-1
2-1
Brentford v Aston Villa
1-2
0-1
0-2
West Ham v Wolves
3-0
1-1
2-1
Liverpool v Man Utd
0-0
4-0
3-1
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
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All matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.
After four straight defeats, Nottingham Forest stopped the rot a little bit with last week's draw at Wolves, but their manager Steve Cooper is still under pressure and it feels like he needs something out of this game.
Tottenham ended their own poor run with an impressive win over Newcastle and Ange Postecoglou's side will be on the front foot again here.
Cooper knows what is coming, but how are his side going to cope with 'Ange-ball'? I am thinking that, while Cooper needs a positive result at home, he is not going to get one.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
Dobey's prediction: Tottenham have just come off the back of a big win against us so they are favourites here. Forest haven't won in their past five games but they are at home and I think that will make a difference – whenever I have gone to the City Ground, their fans have been brilliant. They will get their team up again here, and although I do think Spurs will win, I think it will be tight. 1-2
I was at Old Trafford last weekend for BBC Radio 5 Live and Bournemouth really impressed me in their win over Manchester United. They were excellent.
I don't think the Cherries are overly bothered about possession, but they have a plan that is working. Their midfield duo of Ryan Christie and Lewis Cook is very effective, and I am a huge fan of Dominic Solanke, who leads the line for them so well.
I think Solanke has got a huge chance of going to next summer's European Championship – it's not a case of saying England manager Gareth Southgate can't ignore him, more the case that I don't think he will.
Bournemouth have won four of their past five games and drew with Aston Villa in the other one. I am expecting them to collect three more points here, even though Luton will be well-organised and determined.
I actually have a lot of sympathy for Hatters manager Rob Edwards. He has managed well and his team have exceeded expectations in terms of their performances, and I don't think their points tally truly reflects what they should have picked up so far.
It's at home where Luton have given the big clubs a scare though, which is another reason I am backing Bournemouth here.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Dobey's prediction: Bournemouth will have too much, I think. They are playing well. Luton have given a few teams a scare and they are not playing badly either, but they always seem to fall at the last hurdle in games. 2-0
After losing to Liverpool in Chris Wilder's first game back in charge, Sheffield United got their 'new manager bounce' last week when they beat Brentford – now can they follow that up?
The Blades have got the worst away record in the top flight this season, with only one point from seven games, so you would think not – but then again they are up against a Chelsea side, who I am wrong about most weeks.
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino came out and said he wanted some new players after they lost to Everton last week – which is pretty amazing when you consider Chelsea's spending spree last summer – and it does not appear things are going to settle down at Stamford Bridge anytime soon.
I am still going to go with them to win, because they are at home to the bottom side in the Premier League who have struggled on the road, but you can probably tell I am not exactly confident that is what will happen.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Dobey's prediction: You never know what Chelsea are going to do at the moment. I am going to back them, though, because they have lost their past two games and they need to pull something out of the bag here. 3-1
Manchester City got back to winning ways against Luton last week but they are still huffing and puffing a bit.
It looks like Jeremy Doku is still injured and they will be without Erling Haaland again too – his dad and half of his family have taken him out of their Fantasy teams, external – but they should still have too much for Crystal Palace.
The Eagles were unlucky to lose against Liverpool last time out and will defend stubbornly, so City will have to work hard to break them down, but I think they will manage it.
I am actually going to go with City to keep a rare clean sheet too, which would be their first in the league since the end of October. I have got Ederson in my Fantasy team so if he does concede again, I will get rid of him.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Dobey's prediction: I watched Palace's defeat against Liverpool and they deserved a lot more from that game. City should win anyway but how easy they find it could come down to whether Doku and Haaland are back. I think they missed them against Luton… I missed Haaland especially too, because I'd made him captain of my Fantasy team. 3-0
Free-scoring Fulham have turned into the Premier League's surprise package, so predicting this game is not as clear-cut as it might have been a couple of weeks ago.
That's partly because it would be easy to doubt Newcastle at the moment – they were out on their feet against Tottenham last weekend and gave everything in defeat to AC Milan on Wednesday.
But I am still going with Eddie Howe's side to come out on top. They play Chelsea in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals next week but now they are out of Europe, they can concentrate on the league. They have to, really.
And, at home, they have still been impressive with seven wins and only one defeat in the league so far this season – that late turnaround against Liverpool in August. This won't be easy, but the crowd will help them here.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
Dobey's prediction: Fulham have been playing well – I watched them recently against Liverpool, and no way did they deserve to lose that one, and then they smashed West Ham at the weekend too. But I can never back against Newcastle, can I? And our form at home has been very strong. We have been solid at St James' so far, although we might need the fans to be the 12th man to get us over the line. 2-0
Unai Emery and Postgecoglou have made a huge impact as managers in the Premier League this season, but Sean Dyche is right up there with the job he is doing at Everton.
Dyche has not done it in a different way, but his achievements are especially impressive when you consider what he has had to contend with – the stress levels and all the negativity around the club as well as their points deduction. He did well to keep them up last season too.
Now he is going back to his old club with an Everton team that has an identity and is playing well. Jarrad Branthwaite's suspension is a blow but I still think the Toffees will make it four wins in a row without him.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Dobey's prediction: Everton are on a really good run of form, beating us and then Chelsea as well. I am going to go with Dyche to get another win, against his former team, although it will be close. Burnley are playing well under Vincent Kompany, but they are just not getting the results they need. 1-2
The bottom line is that Brighton played in the Europa League on Thursday evening, which makes this trip even harder for them when going to Emirates Stadium is difficult enough anyway.
Arsenal will feel hard done by after their defeat at Aston Villa. They created enough changes to win that game and, with Brighton leaking goals the way they are, I can see them doing the same here. Only this time, they will take them.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
Dobey's prediction: Like us, Brighton have had to deal with European football and a few injuries, but they've not been doing badly. Arsenal have just been that type of team this season where they have been lucky late on in games, and I am going to say they will nick this one at the end too – Leandro Trossard with the winner, against his old team! 2-1
Aston Villa are awesome at home, but not so good on the road – they have only won three of their eight away league games so far this season.
If they want to be in the mix for the Champions League places or even do the unthinkable and challenge for the title, they have to start winning more away, in games like this one.
Brentford are missing Bryan Mbeumo up front but they are still streetwise, so this is a serious test.
I am going for Villa to pass it with a narrow win, with Ollie Watkins to get their goal.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Dobey's prediction: I am going to go for the obvious result here. Mbeumo's absence is a big loss for Brentford and Villa will be too strong for them. 0-2
West Ham were in the Europa League on Thursday too, beating SC Freiburg to top their group.
That certainly won't help the Hammers. David Moyes has been defending his lack of substitutions during games but I just wonder if fatigue will play a part here.
Wolves are a decent team but this smells like a draw to me.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Dobey's prediction: This is a tough one to call. West Ham will want to bounce back from their 5-0 loss at Fulham but Wolves will make it difficult for them. 2-1
With the attacking players that Liverpool have got, I am absolutely certain that they will win. I honestly don't think United have a chance.
The injuries that defenders Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw suffered against Bayern are a blow for Erik ten Hag's side and, at the other end, they barely carry a threat.
United can only win by playing counter-attack but for that to work their forwards will need to offer far more than we've seen from them recently.
Maybe Antony will chop inside and bend one into the top corner this time, but I doubt it – he hasn't scored yet this season.
It is possible we will see some more brilliance from Alejandro Garnacho, and his pace could cause Liverpool problems down their right side.
But I don't really know whether Rasmus Hojlund is any good or not, because the service he gets is non-existent.
In United's midfield I've watched Sofyan Amrabat closely in the past couple of games – I was at Old Trafford to see them play Bournemouth and Bayern – and he is not a player who gets the ball on the half-turn and starts off passing moves.
Scott McTominay can nick a goal but it is not like you ever see him really getting into pockets of space and opening up teams.
Going forward, the combinations are just not there in the United team. They have only scored 18 goals in 16 league games this season, and they just don't carry a big enough threat.
United still haven't beaten anyone in the top half of the table, either. How can they win this game? There is just no way, unless some huge refereeing decisions go their way.
Liverpool are not just in the top half, they are a top team and they are in top spot – and they are going to spank them.
Sutton's prediction: 4-0
Dobey on the title race: I think it's a four-way title race between Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa too. Because of what Leicester did in 2016, you can't count Villa out.
I had a look this week and Villa's next 11 league games give them a great chance of taking maximum points, based on current form anyway. I don't think they are going to drop away. I do have a few friends who are Villa fans though, so I'll get some stick if they do go on to win it!
Out of the four teams up there now, though, I would probably pick Liverpool to be champions. One way or another, they've just been getting results, with late goals if they've needed them. They've not being playing brilliantly, but they are just doing enough – if they can keep doing that, they will win it.
Dobey's prediction: This is the type of game where you think United will turn up, but after seeing them lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth, I just can't see them stopping Liverpool at Anfield. 3-1
Sutton led his guest, Vigil star Dougray Scott, 30-20 going into the final game of last weekend – Tottenham's 4-1 win over Newcastle.
While Sutton wrongly went for a 3-3 draw, Scott picked up 10 points by backing Spurs to win 3-2.
That meant they both got three correct results from 10 matches in week 16, with no exact scores, and ended up tied on 30 points each.
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
81 (average after 16 weeks)
David Earl, Keke from 1Xtra, Jazzie Zonzolo
70
Tommy Fury, Joe from Nothing But Thieves
60
Gabe of Jamie Johnson FC, Tash from The Football Academy
50
AEW wrestler Claudio Castagnoli. Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan from Blossoms
40
Vigil star Dougray Scott
30
Willie J Healey
20
Suggs
10
Total scores after week 16
Chris Sutton
1,290
Guests
1,220
Sutton v guests
P16
W7
D5
L4
You almost got Aston Villa's win over Arsenal right, with 34% of you backing Villa… but 35% of you went for a draw, with an extra 162 votes making the difference in a total turn out of more than 50,000.
It was a similar story with your prediction for Tottenham's victory over Newcastle. The stats showed 38% of you backed Spurs, and another 38% went for a draw. On closer inspection, 375 more of you went for a draw, again from around 50,000 total votes.
You weren't quite as close when it came to calling Bournemouth's win at United, or Sheffield United's victory over Brentford, however. Only 13% you got those correct.
You v Chris & the guests – week 16
=1. Chris
3/10
=1. Guest
3/10
=1. You
3/10
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.
Total scores after week 16
1. You
89/160
2. Chris
84/160
3. Guests
80/160
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