Chris Sutton predicts who is winning on Saturday – Newcastle or Aston Villa

Add as preferred source on Google

Chris Sutton is making predictions again which means the Premier League season is back. and he’s made his predictions on Newcastle v Aston Villa.

The Premier League season gets underway tonight as Burnley take on Manchester City, but Newcastle United‘s campaign doesn’t begin until 5:30pm on Saturday when Aston Villa come to St James’ Park for the televised clash.

Both Newcastle and Villa have done some seriously impressive transfer business going into the new campaign. Unai Emery has turned Villa into a top quality side after doing an Eddie Howe by coming into a relegation threatened club mid-way through the season and guiding them to safety.

Newcastle v Aston Villa is a tough game to predict

It’s therefore a tricky game to call, but the BBC’s Chris Sutton is the man tasked with doing so and for the season’s opening fixtures he was joined by Anthony Joshua and Eddie Hearn who also had a crack at predicting the score.

Sutton made a good case for both sides, but it ultimately came down to the power of St James’ Park with the former Aston Villa man saying: “Newcastle’s biggest problem is the expectation around them this season when they have to balance the Premier League with their Champions League fixtures.

“Everyone seems to be getting excited about Aston Villa too – they will be playing European football as well in the Europa Conference League and, with Unai Emery in charge, they must be one of the favourites to win that.

“This should be a really good game, and I am going to back Newcastle to win it. They were phenomenal at home last season, only losing twice, and I think they will hit the ground running this time.”

Eddie Hearn is predicting a comprehensive win for Newcastle

The home advantage could be what carries Newcastle over the line in the game on Saturday. The atmosphere will be outstanding as it always is, but the first home game always has that bit extra about it and that could make the difference.

Sutton and Joshua’s predictions matched with both saying that Newcastle will emerge victorious with a 2-1 scoreline, whereas Eddie Hearn went big, saying: “Newcastle are going to have a great season and I can see them making a statement here. 4-0.”

I think Hearn has lost the plot slightly, but I’d absolutely love it if he’s right. Imagine the statement that would send out to the rest of the Premier League – We’re back and we’re not messing about!