Chris Sutton has looked ahead to the Premier League fixtures (Picture: BT Sport)
Chris Sutton has revealed his prediction for three crucial midweek fixtures in the Premier League title race.
Liverpool’s win over Brighton on Sunday and Arsenal’s subsequent goalless draw with Manchester City left Jurgen Klopp’s side two points clear at the top of the table with nine games remaining.
The Reds, who play host to bottom-placed Sheffield United on Thursday evening, are bidding to win the title in Klopp’s final season at Anfield.
Liverpool will likely be overtaken at the top of the table on Wednesday night when Arsenal face Luton Town at home and Manchester City welcome Aston Villa to the Etihad Stadium.
Arsenal produced an impressive defensive display to shut out Man City at the weekend and will expect to prove too strong for a Luton side currently sitting in the relegation zone.
Man City, meanwhile, need to return to winning ways having dropped points in their last two games as they bid to win a record fourth successive Premier League title.
Sutton cannot see too many issues for the three title rivals as they prepare for their midweek fixtures and has backed Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool to clinch victories in a column for BBC Sport.
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Sutton’s Premier League predictions
Arsenal v Luton Town
‘Arsenal needed a last-gasp Declan Rice goal to clinch a crazy 4-3 win last time these teams met, but it won’t be anywhere near as close at the Emirates.
‘Luton will have a go, we know that, but the Gunners showed how strong they are defensively in Sunday’s goalless draw with Manchester City and I am expecting them to control this game from the start.’
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Man City v Aston Villa
‘I thought some of the criticism of Manchester City striker Erling Haaland after Sunday’s draw with Arsenal was well over the top.
‘It is not Haaland’s fault City did not create enough opportunities for him – it is down to players such as Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva to make those chances.
‘To compare Haaland to a League Two player, which is how Roy Keane described him on Sky, is just ridiculous.
‘It doesn’t matter who gets the goals against Aston Villa, but City cannot allow the gap to leaders Liverpool to get any bigger than three points.
‘Villa will make it tough for them and carry plenty of attacking threat themselves, but this is a must-win for Pep Guardiola’s side… and I think they will win.’
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Liverpool v Sheffield United
‘This is top versus bottom and Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah is going to be captaining my Fantasy team – that should tell you all you need to know about what I am expecting to happen here.
‘Against Brighton on Sunday, Liverpool did what they have done all season, which is finding a way to win even when they fall behind.
‘This should be far more straightforward because Sheffield United do not have the quality to cause them the same problems the Seagulls did.
‘Liverpool cannot just expect to turn up and win easily though. The finish line is in sight but they need to put their foot down to get there first, and that is what I think will happen here.
‘Looking at the table, goal difference could play a big part in the title race. Arsenal have the advantage there at the moment, but a big scoreline here could change that.’
Sutton’s prediction: 5-0
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