Sutton's predictions v Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure

Premier League leaders Liverpool go to Tottenham on Sunday looking for a win that would leave them top at Christmas.

"It is going to be a brilliant game," said BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton.

"There are going to be fireworks just because of the way that Tottenham play, and Liverpool are phenomenal on the counter-attack."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.

For week 17, he takes on Reverend & the Makers singer Jon McClure.

The Sheffield rock band's new Christmas single, Late Night Phone Call, is out now and proceeds go to Samaritans.

Do you agree with Chris and Jon's scores? You can make your own below.

The most popular scoreline selected for each game is used in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.

McClure is a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday fan, despite some family history with Everton too.

"My dad's side of the family are actually Everton fans because my grandad's brother, Joe McClure, played for them in the 1930s, in the same team as Dixie Dean," Jon told BBC Sport.

"But it's always been Wednesday for me. My Nan danced with the players when they brought the FA Cup back to Sheffield in 1935, so I think she was a bit of a proto-WAG."

Jon is desperate to see the Owls return to the Premier League after they were relegated back in 2000 - but could their manager, Danny Rohl, get there first, having been linked with the Southampton vacancy?

"It has been a long winter," added Jon. "We have looked close to getting back a couple of times down the years but we are a bit worried about losing our manager at the moment, because he is very well regarded by Southampton.

"We love Danny, because he has been brilliant for us. Our problem is our chairman, Dejphon Chansiri, who is not a bad guy but is frustrating because he doesn't listen to the fans.

"I once had a Zoom call with him, when he was in Bangkok and I was in Sheffield, and I must have been on for two hours with him and only managed to say two sentences to him - he just doesn't listen at all.

"So, if you were Danny Rohl, and you could see a possible exit to Southampton, then it might look like an attractive proposition. But I am hoping we can keep him, because he is a wonderful manager.

"The club is definitely ready for the Premier League, too. You can get around 40,000 people into Hillsborough, and we fill it regularly - even when we have been in the third tier.

"We are a great proposition for someone, we just need an owner who is ambitious."

Chris Sutton and Jon McClure were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

Saturday, 21 December

Villa Park, 12:30 GMT

Aston Villa are 10 points worse off than the same stage of last season, when they were in second place with 35 points from 16 games.

This time, they are seventh and if you look at their results in the Premier League so far then, apart from when they saw off Fulham in October, they have only beaten teams in the bottom half of the table.

I don't want to call them flat-track bullies but they are only getting wins against the weaker teams.

Maybe we have to put Manchester City in that bracket too at the moment, though?

In terms of form over the past eight games then only Leicester and Southampton have picked up fewer points than Pep Guardiola's side.

I keep thinking they will kick back into life, but they actually seem to be getting worse. Everyone is trying to come up with the reason for their poor results - injuries or ageing players, and so on - but they are making basic errors in games and killing themselves.

The smart move for me and anyone else making predictions would be to just back City every week now, because eventually they will come good - but I've not seen anything to suggest it will happen here.

The only thing they won last weekend was 'The Simulation Game' on 606 thanks to Kyle Walker's behaviour against Manchester United. I just hope he is all right to play this weekend.

So, I am certainly not going to say they will win at Villa Park, or keep a clean sheet, but then Villa have not really convinced me to back them either.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Jon's prediction: I can't see past Villa here - I don't know where City's next win is going to come from. Even Wednesday would give them a game at the minute. 2-1

Gtech Community Stadium, 15:00 GMT

It is always hard to back against Brentford at home, but Nottingham Forest are a cagey and clever away team.

Forest's record on the road is the third best in the top flight this season and watching them makes me think they can get something here.

Brentford have played in midweek, losing to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, and I wonder if that might affect them.

I am not saying the Bees' bubble will burst but Forest are always dangerous, so I am going with another draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Jon's prediction: I can see goals in this one. Brentford manager Thomas Frank deserves a shot at a big club because he is super-good, and they have got a bunch of players who I think are very under-rated. Equally, though, Forest are flying and Chris Wood is having a brilliant season. He gives me hope as a big man. If a big lump like him can knock them in then maybe I can too. 2-2

Portman Road, 15:00 GMT

Maybe I should mention Mr Fields - an Ipswich fan who teaches my daughter - every week so the Tractor Boys stand a better chance of winning?

It worked for them last week, when they beat Wolves, but I am not sure it will have the same effect this time.

The strength of the Premier League means the table is so congested at the moment, with only six points separating Nottingham Forest in fourth, and Manchester United in 13th.

Newcastle are 12th and have been very average at times, but they strike me as being a team who are in a false position, compared to what they are capable of.

The busy Christmas period could change the look of the table dramatically, and a couple of wins could catapult someone towards the top four.

Could that team be Newcastle? Yes, if they click, and I definitely fancy them here. Ipswich have not won at home yet this season and I don't see that changing this weekend.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Jon's prediction: Newcastle should edge this. They have not been sparkling this year and Ipswich are decent, but Newcastle have got too much quality in wide areas. 0-2

London Stadium, 15:00 GMT

I genuinely believe these predictions have been harder than ever this season because so many teams are closely matched. It's either that or I am becoming really stupid, so take your pick.

This game is another example of one that is very difficult to call.

Other than Jarred Bowen's performances, I don't feel like West Ham have given me any reason to back them under Julen Lopetegui, while Brighton are on their worst run of the season and winless in four.

Of course the Hammers are missing Michail Antonio, and I hope he recovers soon. In his absence, Niclas Fullkrug might finally get his chance up front. In the summer, I picked him as being one to watch - but West Ham fans have barely seen him at all so far.

Brighton got walloped by Crystal Palace last weekend, and also showed their soft side in their previous game when they let a two-goal lead slip against Leicester, but I do feel they have the capacity to bounce back.

Again, I see some goals in this one and I am going with Brighton to sneak it. Kaoru Mitomo is in my Fantasy Premier League team and I reckon he will get the winner.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Jon's prediction: Brighton have got another great manager in Fabian Hurzeler. When I go on about what Sheffield Wednesday do wrong and you look at an example of how they should do it, then I look at the way Brighton go about their business. They are just a well-run club, while our hot taps don't run in our bogs at Hillsborough, and haven't done for three years. That tells you everything you need to know about us. It's like, lads come on, we can do much better than this. 1-3

Selhurst Park, 17:30 GMT

This is a rematch of Wednesday's Carabao Cup quarter-final, when Arsenal scored from open play. I guess Christmas miracles do happen.

Mikel Arteta's side edged that tie and this game is going to be just as close. Crystal Palace are much improved in recent weeks and have really turned a corner.

I watched the analysis of their win over Brighton on MOTD2 last week, when they were focusing on the Eagles' back three and the consistency of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Trevoh Chalobah, who have now played together for the past 12 games.

So, this is not going to be easy for the Gunners. I expected them to kick on this season but that has not happened - they have only lost two of their first 16 league games, but they only won half of them.

Arsenal really need a win here, though, and I think they will find a way of getting it.

I am going for a 1-0 victory and it doesn't matter if their goal comes from another set-piece, because they all count. As I've said before, a few other teams would love to carry the same threat they do from corners.

Sutton's prediction: 0-1

Jon's prediction: I am going to go with Arsenal but I don't think they will win by much because I think Palace are playing well. I predict a 1-0 'George Graham style' win, with maybe a Gabriel or William Saliba header from a corner for the winner. Being serious, though, I think Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover does deserve a shout-out because he has fundamentally altered how corners work, which has had quite a profound impact on the game. The thing I find really amusing about it all is how when the opposition defences concede a corner, they look terrified - it's as if the [German Air Force] Luftwaffe are coming. 0-1

Sunday, 22 December

Goodison Park, 14:00 GMT

The takeover at Everton has gone through now so there will probably be some speculation about Sean Dyche's future, but they would get rid of him now at their peril.

Basically, if they want to stay in the Premier League this season then they have to keep him as manager.

Dyche's Everton side are not tearing up any trees but they showed in the draw at Arsenal how resolute they are - they are awkward and difficult to break down.

Even so, you can't back against Chelsea right now, with the confidence they are playing with and the winning run they are on.

I've gone for three away wins already this week, which is a bit risky, but this has to be number four.

In FPL, Cole Palmer has some really hot streaks where he picks up lots of points and also some runs where he is much quieter.

I am backing him to come good this weekend in FPL and the real thing and play a big part in another Chelsea victory.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Jon's prediction: I have become quite pally with Everton boss Sean Dyche. We supported Courteeners at the last minute at Leeds in November because they did not have a support band and, next thing I know, I have got Sean in my dressing room.

As well as really liking him, I have got my family connection to Everton so I am loathe to predict they will lose but I cannot see past Chelsea here. Looking at current form, they are not far off being the best team in the Premier League. They have got Nicolas Jackson firing now, Palmer obviously is a genius and Noni Madueke is a really exciting talent. 0-2

Craven Cottage, 14:00 GMT

I saw Fulham first-hand at Anfield last week and they have a lovely balance to their team, with some decent options in their squad too.

Antonee Robinson is making a strong case for being the best left-back in the league this season, and racked up a couple of assists against Liverpool.

There's only one winner here. Southampton have not got a new manager yet after sacking Russell Martin, and I can't see much changing for them.

I have some sympathy for Martin because, had he lost last season's play-off final, there is a good chance he would still be in his job.

But Southampton's players are already low on confidence, and they were beaten again by Liverpool in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Let's face it, Saints are down already and I hope they are planning for next season in the Championship.

It will be interesting to see what brand of football their next manager plays, but I hope they get some points somewhere.

At the moment they have got even fewer points than Robbie Savage's Derby County team of 2007-08 had managed at this stage.

It would be nice for Saints to end up with one more point than Derby did when they eventually finished on 11, just so Robbie can keep that record of being part of the worst Premier League team ever - it's how he is best known.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Jon's prediction: Marco Silva is doing a great job at Fulham. They play really tidy football and it is nice to see Raul Jimenez back doing the business after his serious injury, because he is a class player. 2-0

King Power Stadium, 14:00 GMT

Wolves have just appointed Vitor Pereira as Gary O'Neil's replacement but they could be without their best attacking player, Matheus Cunha, through suspension, and he would be a huge miss.

They will be hoping for the same bounce in results that Leicester got when they appointed Ruud van Nistelrooy as manager a few weeks back but I think the Foxes were quite fortunate in some of those games.

Leicester have shown some spirit under Van Nistelrooy, but they are still heavily reliant on Jamie Vardy up front and still leaking goals too.

Wolves have even bigger problems at the back so Pereira might come in and try to shut up shop, but I don't know if they are capable of doing that - they are still the same players that conceded so many goals under O'Neil.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Jon's prediction: Wolves have got enough quality to nab a draw here. 1-1

Old Trafford, 14:00 GMT

While every Manchester United fan was smiling after last weekend's derby, they are still 13th, seven places below Bournemouth in the table.

There is an awful lot of work to be done at Old Trafford and it does not sound like Marcus Rashford has the stomach for the fight.

From what he has said this week, it seems like he wants out and it feels like many United fans would say 'good riddance'.

The new United manager, Ruben Amorim, does not have an agenda against Rashford, but he is trying to set some standards in his first few weeks at the club.

He has made a big call, saying what he did about Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho after leaving them out of the Manchester City game, but he is entitled to do that. He has got a short-term issue of trying to win some games but also the long-term aim of setting the standards he wants from his squad.

Amorim left the carrot dangling there for both players saying that, if they apply themselves properly, they can come back into the fold - and there is nothing wrong with that, either.

That was how it worked at most clubs I played for, but Rashford has responded with this talk of needing 'a new challenge'. It is going to be interesting to see what happens next, and which clubs come in for him now.

Back to the game, and I was at Old Trafford in December last year when the Cherries won 3-0.

I love what Andoni Iraola has done at Bournemouth and they have been great to watch this season too - they always create loads of opportunities.

While Amad Diallo has been exceptional since Amorim arrived, United remain a very average team, and I fancy Bournemouth to repeat their result from 12 months ago.

United fans get very angry whenever I predict they will lose, and can be quite bullish about it on social media - although they are usually wise after the event rather than making a call before the game like me. I wonder how confident they are feeling at the moment?

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Jon's prediction: I think United might keep it going after wining the derby. Bournemouth are a good side, of course, but I think Amad Diallo is a real talent and United boss Ruben Amorim seems to have already worked out who the problems are in his squad. 2-0

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 16:30 GMT

Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou said this week that management is a harder job than being prime minister and, from my spell in charge of Lincoln, I can testify to that.

Postecoglou knows all about the highs and lows that managers can experience from one week to the next, because that has been the story of Spurs' season.

The same might apply just to this game too. While I think Tottenham will get some joy because it is going to be action packed, Liverpool will not lie down and I fancy them to come out on top.

How Spurs deal with Mohamed Salah on the counter-attack is going to be key, but I cannot see them stopping him completely.

People might look at Liverpool's draw with Fulham last weekend and think it was not a great result for Arne Slot's side but I was there and, honestly, the way they played with 10 men was incredible. They looked like they were the team with the extra man.

Sutton's prediction: 2-3

Jon's prediction: Spurs are weird because you never know if they are going to turn up or not. Like Wednesday, they seem better away from home, too. I don't know if it is because they play on the break?

I am going with Liverpool here though. They have made the appointment of the decade in Slot. He has kept what was good about the Jurgen Klopp era - the high press and all that - but they just seem a little bit more street smart. I have to say I love his interview style too because he is very honest. I think he is wonderful and think he is going to do great things at Liverpool. 1-2

Jon on the title race: As much as I think Chelsea are great and Arsenal are still a good side, Liverpool are your title winners this season. City? I saw one permutation where they finished mid-table, got a points deduction, and went down.

How did Sutton do last week?

Week 16 went to the wire, and it was Chris's guest, darts player Stephen Bunting, who prevailed - right at the end of the 10th and final game.

With just Bournemouth versus West Ham left to play, Chris was on 60 points, with Bunting and the BBC readers both on 30 points.

With you lot and Chris predicting a 2-1 Bournemouth win, the only outcome that would deny Chris victory was a 1-1 draw, which is what Bunting had gone for.

That seemed an unlikely result when the game remained goalless going into the 90th-minute, but a controversial late Hammers penalty and, even later, a brilliant free-kick equaliser from the Cherries, secured an unlikely triumph for Bunting.

That result meant Chris got three correct results with one exact score, while the readers got three correct results with no exact scores.

Stephen ended up with four correct results and one exact score, for a winning total of 70 points.