After a six-week break for the winter World Cup, the Premier League is again for Christmas, so what can we count on from the primary set of festive fixtures?

“Until we see everybody play, it is actually laborious to know what would possibly occur.”

Sutton is making predictions for every top-flight game this season, against a variety of guests.

For the first set of festive fixtures, from 26 to 28 December, he is up against singer and West Ham fan Chesney Hawkes.

Hawkes was labelled as a World Cup lucky charm by the England team after he flew in to perform his number one hit, The One And Only, on the pitch at half-time during their game against Wales, turning him into one the surprise stars of the tournament.

Hawkes was on a 32-date tour of the UK, scheduled to finish in Edinburgh on 27 November, when his co-manager James asked him if he would be up for going direct from Scotland to perform at the game in Doha a couple of days later.

“As an enormous soccer fan, I jumped on the probability, so with little sleep and quite a lot of tour-lag, I discovered myself standing on the pitch at half-time singing The One and Only to 60,000 followers,” Hawkes advised BBC Sport.

“It was a little bit of a lacklustre first half with no signal of a aim. After my half-time present, the boys got here out fired up and went on to win 3-0. I not at all ever claimed there was any connection, however the press picked up the story and ran with it!

“I had a little bit of trepidation about performing in front of 60,000 football fans, but I needn’t have worried; it really was a goose-bump moment for me. It was the first time I’d played in a stadium since the early 1990s, but it was amazing to hear that crowd sing along with me. The craziness of the following two weeks was very surreal.

“As far the soccer was involved, this World Cup was one of the best ever: so entertaining, so many fantastic video games, last-minute objectives and virtually ridiculous moments. I cherished each minute of it.

“Then we had the greatest World Cup final ever to finish it off. I was on a ship in the Caribbean with my family and we watched it in a theatre with 1,000 fans. The moment Lionel Messi lifted the World Cup was a sublime moment in football history.”

Hawkes is a lifelong West Ham fan so, in addition to that Messi second, one other spotlight for him was assembly midfielder Declan Rice after the Wales recreation.

“I was in the tunnel just after the game, so the players were obviously buzzing from a 3-0 win,” he defined. “They all came up to me to say hi, and most of them told me that I should sing at every game as a lucky charm. Declan was particularly lovely. I did have his shirt on, so maybe that helped.

“The England equipment males had been sort sufficient to offer me Declan’s shirt. When I obtained to fulfill him, I requested him to signal it for my West Ham-mad son Indi. He fortunately obliged.

“As Declan and I were talking, the rest of the England players were around us. I noticed the unity and team spirit between them. There was obviously a lot of love in the camp.

“I’d like to play a gig for them – simply title the time and place, and I’ll be there!

“In the meantime, I am very excited about the upcoming release of my new album, which was written and produced with super-producer Jake Gosling – oh, and I am looking forward to watching West Ham lift the FA Cup on 3 June – come on you Irons!”

An accurate outcome (choosing a win, draw or defeat) is price 10 factors. The precise rating earns 40 factors.

SUTTON’S PREDICTIONS

Games kick off at 15:00 GMT except in any other case said

MONDAY, 26 DECEMBER

Brentford v Tottenham (12:30 GMT)

It’s laborious to recollect what most groups did of their final video games earlier than the World Cup, however I’ve not forgotten Brentford’s beautiful win at Manchester City, with Ivan Toney scoring twice.

Toney, who did not make it into the England squad, can be trying to choose up the place he left off whereas Tottenham can be hoping Harry Kane hits the bottom operating after his return from Qatar.

Spurs have gotten Son Heung-min and Dejan Kulusevski match once more, which can assist, however Richarlison is out injured for just a few weeks and they’ll miss him.

I’d like to say this can be a thriller to carry again Premier League soccer with a bang, however my intestine feeling is it’d really be a barely underwhelming draw.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Chesney’s prediction: 1-3

Crystal Palace v Fulham

This is a difficult one as a result of Fulham had an actual go at just about everybody they performed within the first a part of the season, house or away.

They have most likely over-achieved up to now, whereas it seems like Crystal Palace have under-performed in lots of respects, actually after I look by means of their squad.

I’m going to again the Eagles this time, although. They are at all times respectable at house and I believe they may edge this.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-1

Chesney’s prediction: 1-1

Everton v Wolves

This is an enormous recreation for each groups, nevertheless it really feels larger for Everton.

It’s an opportunity for brand spanking new Wolves boss Julen Lopetegui to get to work correctly, in what can be his first recreation in control of the Premier League’s backside facet since he was appointed greater than a month in the past.

Lopetegui has heaps to do, together with getting Wolves to attain some objectives, however he’s making a recent begin, whereas Everton had been sinking quick earlier than the season paused for the World Cup.

Frank Lampard’s facet have misplaced six of their previous eight video games in all competitions and couldn’t have signed off on far more of low than being spanked twice in a row by Bournemouth, within the Carabao Cup after which the league.

Wolves are in a relegation battle, however so are Everton and a win right here is completely essential for them with Manchester City up subsequent, at Etihad Stadium on New Year’s Eve.

Everton must win, and I believe they may win. I used to be at Goodison Park final season when their followers made an enormous distinction for them in video games like this, and they’ll assist them once more right here.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Chesney’s prediction: 2-0

Leicester v Newcastle

Both of those sides had been in nice type earlier than the World Cup – Leicester had climbed the desk because of 4 wins in 5 league video games, whereas Newcastle flew as much as third with 5 league wins in a row.

The Foxes gained this fixture 4-0 in December final yr, however Newcastle are a very completely different crew now. It can be shut, however I’m backing them to discover a approach of successful this one too.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-2

Chesney’s prediction: 2-2

Southampton v Brighton

Southampton are one other crew with a brand new supervisor after appointing Luton boss Nathan Jones, however I’m not satisfied they may keep up, whatever the resolution to switch Ralph Hasenhuttl.

I may be proved flawed come May however I really assume they’d have a greater probability of avoiding relegation if they’d caught with Hasenhuttl.

Saints have gotten a reasonably sort run of video games arising, with Fulham and Nottingham Forest subsequent after Brighton, and so they actually need a ‘new supervisor bounce’ to choose up some wins from these fixtures.

I’m not positive they may get one among them right here, although. Brighton play with a little bit of freedom underneath Roberto De Zerbi, and so they at all times appear to be scoring objectives.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-2

Chesney’s prediction: 2-3

Aston Villa v Liverpool (17:30)

Liverpool seemed fairly energetic towards Manchester City within the Carabao Cup on Thursday however they missed some huge possibilities and likewise seemed fairly leaky on the again.

I can see there being at the least one shock outcome on this first spherical of video games again after the World Cup and I believe Villa boss Unai Emery will fancy his probabilities of sneaking this one.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Chesney’s prediction: 0-1

Arsenal v West Ham (20:00)

Arsenal are 5 factors clear on the the highest of the desk however we’re going to discover out within the subsequent few weeks whether or not they are surely title contenders, aren’t we?

The break most likely got here on the worst doable time for them, due to the shape they had been in, and there is not a extra important participant they might have misplaced to harm than Gabriel Jesus.

People would possibly level at his lack of objectives earlier than the World Cup however Jesus is integral to them in the best way they press, and together with his link-up play.

He is irreplaceable, actually from inside their squad, so the seriousness of his harm will most likely determine whether or not they attempt to make some signings in January.

I really feel like I’ve backed West Ham to be higher than they’ve been on loads of events already this season, however the one factor they need to be right here is hard to beat.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-1

Chesney’s prediction: Arsenal are on hearth for the time being, however West Ham have at all times carried out towards in-form groups. I do know we have not had the best first half to the season, however I’m hoping we are able to begin enjoying the best way I do know we are able to play now, beginning right here! It’ll be a fast-paced recreation with each groups attacking from the beginning. I believe Jarrod Bowen and Gianluca Scamacca will rating for us. 2-2

Why West Ham? My father is a Queens Park Rangers fan, however he by no means took my brother and I to any video games. A detailed household buddy, Roger, took Jodie and I to West Ham versus Spurs within the early Eighties. West Ham misplaced, however the Hammers had been doing the Hokey Cokey up and down the aisles. I’ll always remember that feeling of belonging to a tribe, and we had been hooked from the beginning. I really like West Ham and I’ve handed my love right down to my youngsters. I advised them from the start that in the event that they selected one other crew, they’d have to seek out some place else to reside! Luckily, they selected properly…

TUESDAY, 27 DECEMBER

Chelsea v Bournemouth (17:30 GMT)

Chelsea are determined for a win after going six home video games with no victory, and shedding the previous 4 of them, so the stress is de facto on Blues boss Graham Potter right here.

I’m a powerful believer that Potter simply wants time to get issues proper at Stamford Bridge, however they’ve had points with scoring objectives since he took cost and so they might want to end their possibilities towards Bournemouth, in addition to create them.

I do count on Chelsea to win this recreation however it will be fascinating to seek out out what occurs with the Cherries subsequent too.

Gary O’Neil’s success as their caretaker boss meant he positively deserved to be appointed on a everlasting foundation however, to maintain the job, he must match these outcomes now.

Sutton’s prediction: 2-0

Chesney’s prediction: 5-0

Man Utd v Nottingham Forest (20:00 GMT)

At the beginning of the season, I did not assume Nottingham Forest would go down however proper now they’re bang in bother.

At least Forest have gotten a while to save lots of themselves however their away report is appalling – simply two factors and one aim from seven video games – and I do not see them including to both tally at Old Trafford.

Now outdated sulky pants – aka Cristiano Ronaldo – has gone, the expectation is that Manchester United can be in a greater place and be significantly better as a crew.

That could be the case, however I would not be shocked in the event that they make laborious work of successful this recreation and wish a little bit of magic from Marcus Rashford to recover from the road.

Sutton’s prediction: 1-0

Chesney’s prediction: 3-1

WEDNESDAY, 28 DECEMBER

Leeds v Man City (20:00 GMT)

Manchester City put out a powerful crew towards Liverpool within the Carabao Cup on Thursday and so they seemed like they meant enterprise of their first recreation again.

I like the best way Leeds play, and so they at all times appear to have a spell in each recreation the place they’re on high, however they not often do it for 90 minutes and that worries me when they’re up towards a facet pretty much as good as City.

There can be an amazing environment at Elland Road – I at all times cherished going there as a participant, and it’s the similar now I am going to work on video games there for five Live – however that will not assist Leeds a lot right here.

Sutton’s prediction: 0-4

Chesney’s prediction: 0-4

Chris Sutton was chatting with BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.

How did Sutton do final time?

In the final set of fixtures earlier than the World Cup, Sutton obtained 4 appropriate outcomes from 10 matches, together with two precise scores, giving him a complete of 100 factors.

He beat Jamie Johnson stars Jessica McHale and Olivia Chomczuk, who each obtained three appropriate outcomes, with no precise scores, for a complete of 30 factors.

• Our protection of your Premier League membership is larger and higher than ever earlier than – here is everything you need to know to ensure you by no means miss a second