'Strong and exciting': Chris Sutton praises Newcastle United as he predicts score against Aston Villa
Newcastle United have a tricky start to their Premier League campaign, starting off at Villa Park, where they've only won twice in the last 10 attempts. The game is live on TNT Sports with a 12:30 pm kick-off.
Aston Villa have found it difficult to strengthen this summer, much like Newcastle, as PSR continues to hold back ambitious clubs from competing with the cartel. However, the Villans haven't had to deal with as much upheaval as Newcastle have.
The Magpies lost a CEO, a sporting director and their star striker. All of these things have made it a very difficult summer, and there seems to be a consensus that there will be a hangover from this as Newcastle get their campaign underway.
Paul Merson backed an Aston Villa win with his Sportskeeda prediction, and Chris Sutton has gone the same way for the BBC.
Chris Sutton isn't convinced Newcastle have what it takes to beat Aston Villa
The former Aston Villa striker has backed his old club to get the win on Saturday, but he believes Newcastle will still put up a fight.
"Newcastle's big problem is Alexander Isak, who surely won't be involved while his future is being resolved.
"That means they are without one of the Premier League's best strikers, and Anthony Gordon will probably play as a false nine, which is not ideal.
"Villa have their own issues and they must be struggling to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) because there has been a lot of talk of Ollie Watkins leaving this summer - they have signed another striker, Evann Guessand, but they definitely need to keep hold of Watkins too.
"This is a hard one to call because, despite all the doom and gloom surrounding Newcastle, they are still a strong and exciting side.
"But Villa are at home and we know how dangerous they are under Unai Emery, so I am going to back them to edge this and pile on the misery for Newcastle.
"Sutton's prediction: 2-1"
Anything is possible
We wish we could put up a strong case for the defence, but everything points towards an Aston Villa win tomorrow, unfortunately.
That being said, Eddie Howe is a master of pulling off the impossible. We ended so many streaks last season, beating teams at grounds that have bested us for years, including one at a little ground called Wembley.
Nothing is a foregone conclusion in football, so let's get behind the lads and roar them on to victory.
HOWAY EDDIE HOWE'S WE DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK MAGS!
