Manchester United have lost four of their past five Premier League games but can they end 2024 on a high note when they host Newcastle on Monday?
“It is not difficult to know what will happen here,” said BBC Sport’s football expert Chris Sutton.
“Newcastle are flying and I am starting to get worried about poor Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, because he has stopped smiling already.”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 19, which takes place either side of the New Year on 29 and 30 December and 1 January, he takes on musician Emma-Jean Thackray, who is a Leeds fan.
Thackray’s new track, Black Hole, which features Reggie Watts, is out now.
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Leeds-born Thackray says she was given no choice about who to support.
“My family are all Leeds mad. I came out of the womb, and was handed a Leeds United shirt,” she told BBC Sport.
“My first proper memories of football were the late 1990s and early 2000s, so my favourite players were the likes of Lucas Radebe, Alan Smith, Lee Bowyer and Mark Viduka. That David O’Leary era was the time for me where I was connecting with the team and we were playing the best football of our lives.
“I got to see us beat AC Milan at Elland Road and stuff like that, so it was a great introduction to football. Let’s just say things fell off a bit after that.
“People describe what happened next as Leeds in the doldrums but we still had some players who stood out, and most of them were probably the ones who came through our academy.
“My heroes during those years were people like Sam Byram and Jonny Howson -Howson’s parents live around the corner from mine and it was always quite strange to see him at the supermarket and things like that.
“It is just a shame that we cannot seem to keep hold of our homegrown talent, most recently with Archie Gray going to Tottenham. It’s another reason we need to be back in the Premier League.”
Leeds missed out on promotion last year when they lost to Southampton in the play-off final, but they are currently top of the Championship table.
So will they be back in the top flight next season?
“We have to be, really,” added Thackray. “It feels likes do or die because, if we don’t go up this time, the club could fall apart and we could face another 20 years out of the Premier League
“I think we will do it, although I am not sure whether we will hold on to top spot because Sheffield United look really strong.
“Finishing second is fine though. Us going up is all that matters, really.”
Chris Sutton and Emma-Jean Thackray were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
King Power Stadium, 14:30 GMT
Manchester City are on a terrible run of results but, as woeful as their recent performances have been, they are still not as bad as Leicester.
The Foxes have conceded at least three goals in their past three matches and maybe they are the kind of opposition that Pep Guardiola’s side need to face to start firing again.
Leicester did show some spirit in their defeat by Liverpool last time out, but I said before that game that I think Ruud van Nistelrooy has a huge job on his hands to try to keep them up, and my opinion about that has not changed.
This season has always just been about staying up for Leicester but I still think there has to be some realism from the Foxes fans when it comes to their expectations.
It seems like they felt they would be comfortable after getting promotion but that is never the case – whoever you are, you have got to graft and you have got to earn your place in the Premier League.
Maybe their supporters are starting to realise that now?
I don’t think Manchester City will run away with this but the only thing I am unsure about is whether to give Leicester a goal. If Jamie Vardy is available, then I think they will score – but they will still lose regardless.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Emma-Jean’s prediction: I want to preface my predictions by saying I am in a Fantasy Premier League with a bunch of other musicians in London. I have come bottom more than once so I am not hopeful I am going to do any better here – I have only just decided to drop Erling Haaland. I was clinging on for so long and I finally had to say, ‘it’s time for you to go, mate’.
In terms of this game, it feels like both teams’ form has been quite similar. I don’t see Leicester scoring more than one, and maybe this is the game where Manchester City get their act together. 1-3
Selhurst Park, 15:00 GMT
Crystal Palace are definitely showing more mettle at the moment, and they were very well organised in their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.
To be fair to Southampton, the same can already be said for them under new manager Ivan Juric. I know they lost to West Ham in his first game in charge, but they could have got something out of it.
Saints seem to have changed their style – from purists to pumping it – but there is nothing wrong with being direct, and they showed their resilient side when they got a draw at Fulham before Christmas, when Juric was watching from the stands.
I am expecting another close game here, but Palace will probably edge it.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Palace look a lot more improved recently and they are my local team now I live in London. So I do have a bit of a soft spot for them, plus Southampton fans were not very nice about them getting promoted ahead of us last season. The bitter person in me wants us to go up and wave as we pass them on their way down. 3-0
Goodison Park, 15:00 GMT
Nottingham Forest keep on winning but, although Everton are on a run of three draws, they got them against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City, in games where everyone expected them to be beaten – including me.
Everton have earned those results by being resilient but I thought Iliman Ndiaye’s equaliser against City was a superb strike. It was a goal of sheer beauty, the way he took it, and it feels like they always pose a threat.
Forest have been defending well too – they had less than 30% possession in their 1-0 victory over Tottenham but still found a way to win.
Their centre-back pairing of Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo has been the best in the Premier League this season, and their right-back Ola Aina is in phenomenal form as well.
Anthony Elanga, who got their winner against Spurs, is on a decent scoring run too, and it is going to be hard for Everton to stop them.
I think Sean Dyche’s side will surprise a few people again here, though, and I am going for them to get another draw.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Jack Harrison did not endear himself to Leeds fans with the way he left us for Everton so the child in me wants to see an own goal from him or something like that, and a Forest win. 0-2
Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
What a result for Fulham last time out. Marco Silva’s side only snatched their win over Chelsea right at the end at Stamford Bridge, but they fully deserved it.
Bournemouth are on a great run too, although they have cost me some predictions points by drawing their past two home games when I thought they would win.
So, who do I go for here? Both teams are on a run of six games without defeat, so it is a tough call.
The easiest thing to go for would be a draw, especially since Fulham have drawn their past three games at Craven Cottage, but I am going to be brave and choose a winner, and I am backing Silva’s side.
I am a little surprised that Silva doesn’t get linked with big jobs anymore when they become available.
Maybe that is because he was seen as under-achieving at Everton when he finished eighth in 2018-19. But if you look at what has happened to them since, when you look back, he was a success at Goodison Park.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Fulham are doing well, and Bournemouth are flying. I feel like my crystal ball is telling me this will be a draw. 1-1
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Ange Postecoglou sounded a bit deflated after Tottenham’s defeat at Nottingham Forest. While I still think he has brought so much to the Premier League, you cannot deny he needs a positive result or two.
It definitely does not help that he is so short of fit centre-backs at the moment and, overall, says this is the worst injury crisis he has ever faced as a manager.
Ange is just going to have to get on with it, but this game looks a lot tougher than it might have done a couple of weeks ago.
Wolves have won their first two matches under new manager Vitor Pereira and, after shipping a load of goals under Gary O’Neil, they kept two clean sheets too.
I am still backing Spurs here though, despite their defensive issues. They did not score against Forest but had some decent chances and, at home, I think they will find a way to win.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Tottenham are very unpredictable but, when they play well, they really shine. 3-1
London Stadium, 17:15 GMT
Is anyone going to be able to stop Liverpool? I don’t think West Ham will.
To be fair to the Hammers, they are level on points with Spurs and above Manchester United in the table, so maybe their season is just a slow burner.
So far, they have been underwhelming under Julen Lopetegui, but they have now put together a four-game unbeaten run and Jarrod Bowen seems to have become their go-to player in recent weeks.
Liverpool’s ability to rotate their team could be key again here, though. They did that against Leicester last time out, when Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz dropped to the bench – I had Diaz as my Fantasy captain, so I was not happy – but it made no difference to the way they played.
Arne Slot has such great quality right through his squad that I just think the Reds will keep rolling on. They won’t have as much fun as they did the last time they were in London, but they should leave with the points again.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
Emma-Jean’s prediction: OK, so I really want Liverpool to win the league because there is a weird statistic where the past three times Leeds have been promoted to the top flight, they have been champions – 1963-64, 1989-90 and 2019-20. That bit of stat magic might make all the difference for us this time too.
As for this game? Well it should be a good watch and it is going to be tighter than people think, but I am backing Liverpool. That is not through any sort of love of them – only for Leeds United! 1-2
Villa Park, 19:45 GMT
Both of these teams have been quite patchy in recent weeks, which makes them really hard to predict.
Brighton have gone six games without a win and, although they have only lost two of those, they seem to have lost a bit of the spark they had at the start of the season.
That makes me favour Villa more here, especially because they are at home – five of their six league defeats this season have come on the road.
Jhon Duran’s suspension is a blow for Unai Emery’s side but, unlike a lot of people, I actually think his red card against Newcastle was the right decision.
It is a real sickener for Emery, though. I know he was able to rotate Duran and Ollie Watkins up front, but recently Duran had been starting and scored in four straight games. He seemed to have that jersey nailed down, but when he comes back from his three-game ban, he will have to start again.
In the meantime it is down to Watkins to get Villa some goals. I am backing him to score here and to help them get the three points.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Villa are a similar sort of club to Leeds – with a really great history and similar size of fanbase. We had several seasons recently of being right up against each other in the Championship and closely matched in the Premier League too, then all of a sudden Villa have taken off. I am going for a draw. 2-2
Portman Road, 19:45 GMT
Chelsea have had a couple of disappointing results over Christmas, firstly failing to score against Everton and then losing late on against Fulham.
Maybe Blues boss Enzo Maresca was right when he said his side were not title contenders. I still think that was more kidology than him ruling his side out of the race but, either way, it must be painful to drop points like that after winning their previous eight games in all competitions.
I am backing them to bounce back here, though, because they should have too much quality for Ipswich.
Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday night.
That was typical of Kieran McKenna’s side this season. They have given it a real go in the Premier League and they never seem to lie down, whoever they play.
While I am going for a Chelsea win, the one thing at the back of my mind here is that Ipswich’s determination and will to hang on in there in games has already brought them some reward in away games.
Eventually it is going to bring them a first home win of the campaign too.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Ipswich have done so well to get where they are and I like the way they try to play football, but I only see one winner here. 0-3
Old Trafford, 20:00 GMT
I said before Christmas that I thought Newcastle would hit their stride and they have done exactly that. The way they are playing, they should win at Old Trafford and make it four league wins in a row.
Manchester United’s form is the exact opposite. I am not concerned about Amorim getting the sack but it really does not help when your goalkeeper keeps on conceding goals direct from a corner – that is under-12s stuff.
I remember it happening when I was watching my son play when he was about 15 and he got done off a corner. I told him you would never see it happen to a professional goalkeeper, but it has happened twice in two weeks to Andre Onana. You could not make it up.
I need to apologise here though, because I was far too kind to Manchester United last week when I said they would get a draw at Wolves.
Their fans give me so much stick on social media whenever I say they will lose that it must have got to me a bit – I have become a bit of a chicken and have put them down to get a draw when my gut feeling has been for them to lose.
That has got to stop, because they are rubbish. That is not on Amorim because we will judge him when he has a chance to bring in his own players but, for now, we have to see them for what they are, which is a really poor side.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Emma-Jean’s prediction: As a Leeds fan it is literally in my DNA to hate Manchester United and I cannot predict anything good for them. 1-2
Gtech Community Stadium, 17:30 GMT
I am worried about Arsenal without Bukayo Saka, who has been ruled out for more than a couple of months.
On top of that, Brentford away is obviously a very tough test when you consider how phenomenal the Bees have been at home this season.
But I am backing the Gunners to run Liverpool close in the title race this season and, because of that, I am going with them to win this game, somehow.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Emma-Jean’s prediction: Something is telling me this is not going to be a good watch, it could be quite stodgy. Most of my friends are Arsenal fans so I hope they don’t give me any stick for this prediction, but I am going for a draw. 1-1
There was no Christmas cheer for Chris when it came to his predictions over the festive period.
He got three correct results from the 10 games played on 26 and 27 December, with no exact scores, giving him 30 points from week 19.
The weekly win was shared between his guest, DJ and producer Eats Everything, and the BBC readers.
They both got four correct results with no exact scores, for a tally of 40 points.
