BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has admitted that it is “impossible to predict” who will come out on top of Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea.
The Red Devils suffered a huge blow to their top-four Premier League ambitions on Saturday after a costly 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount came off the bench and broke the deadlock in injury time for Manchester United after an uninspiring performance from the Red Devils.
However, Brentford fought back and Mason Mount’s opener was cancelled out after Kristoffer Ajer scored an all-important equaliser at the Gtech Community Stadium.
United had to settle for a single point from the Premier League clash, with Erik ten Hag’s men facing a mammoth task of finishing inside the top four this season.
The Red Devils are sixth in the Premier League table and Erik ten Hag’s side are eight points behind fifth-place Tottenham with nine league matches remaining.
Aston Villa, on the other hand, have played one more match than United and are 11 points ahead of the Red Devils in the race for Champions League football.
Sutton responds to Man Utd fans
Manchester United will travel to Stamford Bridge on Thursday for their Premier League clash against Chelsea, with kick-off slated for 8:15pm UK time.
Erik ten Hag’s side face two important tests in the Premier League this week, including a showdown with Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Speaking in his BBC Sport column, Chris Sutton said that United fans were a “bit angry” at him after he predicted the Red Devils would lose in the past.
However, the TNT Sports commentator and pundit added that the Red Devils’ lacklustre performance against Brentford “summed them up” this season.
“Some Manchester United fans have got a bit angry with me when I’ve predicted them to lose in the past, but what happened against Brentford on Saturday summed them up,” Sutton said.
“United were on a high after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup before the international break, showing great resilience to come back and win in the manner they did.
“I was thinking ‘here we go’ and wondering if this was another turning point with the possibility of them kicking on… and then they go and put in such an insipid performance against the Bees.
“They were so flat but, when Mason Mount scored in stoppage time, it looked like they had got away with it.
“This time, Brentford deservedly levelled but United have been doing this all season. They’ve been lucky, right from the start.”
Sutton’s scoreline prediction for Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chelsea have struggled this season under Mauricio Pochettino and the Blues currently languish in 11th place in the Premier League table.
Sutton praised Chelsea star Cole Palmer and claimed that he was a “bright spark” in an otherwise underwhelming season for the Premier League club.
Despite claiming that the match is “impossible to predict,” the BBC Sport pundit has backed Chelsea to beat United 2-1 in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
“As far as this game goes, well it’s anyone’s guess,” Sutton continued.
“I keep on being wrong about Chelsea, including their 2-2 draw against Burnley on Saturday.
“Cole Palmer continues to be a bright spark for the Blues but something is not right with the rest of the team.
“If they cannot beat Burnley at home when the Clarets are down to 10 men, then heaven help them.
“All things considered, it makes this game impossible to predict. It feels like it will probably be a draw but Palmer will score so I am going to go with him to get the decider.”