The final round of the Premier League before the World Cup break will kick off as Manchester City host Brentford at Etihad.
Liverpool will hope to close in on the top four when they play Manager less Southampton at Anfield. Tottenham will place Leeds United and Arsenal face a tricky clash with Wolves at the Molineux.
The match that everyone will be looking up to in this round will be Chelsea’s away game with Newcastle United. Newcastle United are the team of the moment after an impressive round of matches to occupy third place in the Premier League.
Chelsea will be hoping to prevent a third consecutive Premier League defeat against Newcastle. Manchester United will also welcome Fulham at Old Trafford after its defeat to Aston Villa.
What is Chris Sutton’s Premier League Prediction?
Previewing Premier League match day 16 on BBC Sports, He said:
Man City v Brentford
“Tottenham boss Antonio Conte talked about how tired England striker Harry Kane was in midweek and there are some difficult decisions for managers to make about resting some players before the World Cup depending on their fitness.
“You have to remember though that there are points at stake here and people are under pressure.
“So, Pep Guardiola won’t be doing anyone else any favors – his priority is getting the win for Manchester City.
City beat Fulham the hard way last week with 10 men and through a last-minute penalty, but I think things will be a lot more straightforward for them this time.
“Brentford don’t seem to be the same side when they are away from home – they still haven’t beaten anyone on the road this season, and that is not going to change here. Prediction: 4-0.“
Bournemouth v Everton
Both managers completely changed their teams when they played each other in the Carabao Cup in midweek – Bournemouth made nine changes, Everton all 11.
“It was the Cherries who went through and, looking at the reaction from the Everton fans, it felt like a lot of them were disgruntled about going out like that when their team has not won a trophy since 1995.
“There is more pressure on Toffees boss Frank Lampard now because of the team he picked, rather than just the result and the fact they were knocked out.
“This game will be completely different for obvious reasons and I am finding it hard to make a case for either team to win it.
Everton are short of form and a cutting edge up front while Bournemouth have let two-goal leads slip in their past two league games, and lost on both occasions.
“I don’t think there will be as many goals this time, but this one has got draw written all over it. Prediction: 1-1.”
Liverpool v Southampton
“Nathan Jones takes charge of Southampton for the first time here, but how much difference can he make in a couple of days? Saints just don’t score enough goals anyway, but Anfield is not exactly the ideal place to go for a club to get a managerial bounce.
“Admittedly my record of predicting Liverpool’s results this season has been a bit hit and miss, but I didn’t just call their win at Tottenham last week, I nailed the exact result.
“I’m still not absolutely sure the Reds will win this one, just because of their inconsistency, but given their season so far, I think Jurgen Klopp will be absolutely desperate to go into this winter break on a high. Prediction: 3-0.“
Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
“No-one wants to be bottom of the table going into the World Cup, so this is a massive game for Nottingham Forest, especially as they are at home.
“Forest were good in the first half against Brentford last week, but fell away after the break so it is going to be a nervy City Ground crowd this time.
“Still, they will probably take heart from seeing Forest get a last-minute equaliser against the Bees, and then beating Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.
“Having said all that, Crystal Palace are playing really well right now and are so dangerous in attack. They have got a lot of match-winners in their side, while I am not sure Forest create enough. Prediction: 1-2.“
Tottenham v Leeds
“I’ve really not got a clue what will happen here. Spurs boss Antonio Conte says his players are tired, yet they have this record of fighting back in games this season – so that does not really add up.
“I was genuinely delighted for Leeds boss Jesse Marsch that he followed up his win at Liverpool by beating Bournemouth, because he has had a bit of flak this season.
“I am really not sure about Tottenham’s defence but they have to respond here after a bad week and, with Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski in contention to start, they will be dangerous.
“This is the type of game where either side could win it, even if they fall behind – but I am going to go with Spurs. Prediction: 3-1.”
West Ham v Leicester
“Leicester are really on the up, and are definitely one of the teams who don’t want this season to stop.
“The Foxes just look a lot more certain at the back and Harvey Barnes is playing well, along with James Maddison of course.
This should be a close game – West Ham still haven’t quite clicked, but they remain a very well organised team and I’d be surprised if they lost at home again after their defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend. Prediction: 1-1.”
Newcastle v Chelsea
“Chelsea were very disappointing against Arsenal last weekend.
The Gunners looked like a side who had an identity – while the Blues didn’t appear to have a clear idea of what they would do when they came forward, or link up well at all.
“Newcastle will stay in the top four whatever happens in this game, and they must be delighted with their recent results that have put them there, as well as the way they have been playing
I think we will see more of the same here. I don’t expect this to be a high-scoring game, but I am backing the Magpies to make it five league wins in a row. Prediction: 1-0.”
Wolves v Arsenal
“Wolves have a new manager at last in Julen Lopetegui and, although interim boss Steve Davis stays in charge for this game, that makes it more dangerous for Arsenal.
“Gunners fans probably weren’t that bothered about going out of the Carabao Cup in midweek, because the Premier League is their priority.
“Arsenal played with such confidence when they beat Chelsea last weekend, and Mikel Arteta said afterwards that they are title contenders.
“If that is the case, they will win at Molineux. They should do, because they have got a goal threat and defensive stability too. Prediction: 0-2.“
Brighton v Aston Villa
“There were some rave reviews of Aston Villa when they beat Manchester United last weekend in Unai Emery’s first game as manager, and they will look to maintain that momentum on the south coast.
“But Brighton are in a really good place at the moment after back-to-back league wins, and they fully deserve to be in the top six based on their recent performances. Prediction: 2-1.“
Fulham v Man Utd
Manchester United fans did not appreciate my decision last week to stop just referring to them as United. The abuse has been endless, when they should really be worrying about what is happening to their team.
“I actually think Erik ten Hag should be happy with his first few months of work at Old Trafford but we saw last week when they lost at Aston Villa that he has not solved all his problems, and it feels to me like they are a team who needs the World Cup break to regroup and to go again.
“Ten Hag has made a few baffling decisions of late – using Harry Maguire as a striker against Real Sociedad and then making Cristiano Ronaldo captain against Villa.
“His side have lost three games on the road already this season and I think they will come a cropper at Craven Cottage too.
I wouldn’t say I was disappointed by the way Fulham played against Manchester City’s 10 men for an hour last weekend, but they didn’t seem to have any belief they would win at Etihad Stadium.
“Things should be different on their own patch and I think they will spring one final shock before the season stops. Prediction: 2-1.”
