Chris Sutton’s Premier League Match Forecast: Aston Villa vs. Manchester City

Chris Sutton is providing predictions for each of the 380 Premier League matches this season, engaging with a diverse range of guests. For week 17, he faces Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure. Sutton’s prediction is a 1-1 draw. Aston Villa currently trails by 10 points compared to the same stage last season, when they were in second place with 35 points from 16 games. This season, they are positioned seventh. An analysis of their Premier League results to date indicates that, aside from their victory against Fulham in October, they have only defeated teams in the bottom half of the table. Sutton observes that while he refrains from labeling them “flat-track bullies,” their wins have consistently come against less formidable opponents. Sutton questions whether Manchester City might also be categorized similarly at present. In terms of form over the last eight games, only Leicester and Southampton have accumulated fewer points than Pep Guardiola’s side. Sutton repeatedly anticipates their resurgence, yet notes that their performance appears to be declining. He highlights that various explanations are being proposed for their poor results, including injuries or an aging squad, but he attributes their struggles to fundamental errors committed during matches. Sutton suggests that the logical approach for himself and other predictors would typically be to consistently back Manchester City, expecting them to eventually return to form; however, he states he has seen no evidence to suggest this will happen in the upcoming match. He humorously points out that Manchester City’s only win last weekend was in ‘The Simulation Game’ on 606, attributed to Kyle Walker’s conduct against Manchester United, and expresses hope for Walker’s fitness to play this weekend. Consequently, Sutton declares he will not predict a Manchester City victory at Villa Park or a clean sheet, while also noting that Aston Villa has not sufficiently convinced him to support them either. McClure’s prediction is a 2-1 victory for Aston Villa. He expresses strong confidence in Villa for this fixture, stating uncertainty about when Manchester City will secure their next win. McClure further remarks that even Sheffield Wednesday, the team he supports, would currently pose a challenge to Manchester City.