Sutton Predictions Week 4: Man Utd vs Man City, Villa, Chelsea

Chris Sutton predicts Manchester United vs Manchester City goals in week four

Chris Sutton and Dorking Wanderers manager Marc White have made their Premier League week four predictions. Sutton backs Manchester United to score against Manchester City but expects the champions to win at Old Trafford on Sunday, while also tipping Chelsea to beat Hull City and Aston Villa to edge Nottingham Forest.

Main event: Manchester City visit Manchester United on Sunday, with new City boss Enzo Maresca having made a table-topping start.
Sutton's view: Marcus Rashford is fit and a threat, so United will score, but City will win.
Other fixtures: Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth vs Brentford, Chelsea vs Hull City, Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town, Liverpool vs Nottingham Forest (Saturday 12 September).
Competition: Premier League 2025/26, week four.
Guest: Marc White, founder, player and manager of Dorking Wanderers.

What was said

"Marcus Rashford is fit and has looked a threat when I've seen him play. Because of that, I can see Manchester United scoring. But United have conceded twice against Hull, Ipswich and Everton, so why wouldn't they ship goals against City too?"
— Chris Sutton on Manchester United vs Manchester City

"For me the gulf in football is between the Premier League and some Championship clubs, and the rest. The Premier League is still the elite place to be, and it's like being part of a financial institution when you are there, but you need to spend your money wisely."
— Marc White on the Premier League's financial elite

"One big theory I have, if you flip it around the other way, is you would not want to get relegated from the Premier League. There are clubs in there, like Fulham or Bournemouth and Brentford, where arguably there are much bigger clubs than them in the Championship. That next manager is always so important for clubs of that size because, if they get it wrong and go down, some of them may never come back."
— Marc White on relegation and managerial appointments

"The Championship is a little bit divided too. We do a lot of business with Charlton Athletic, and their finances, compared to the majority of that division, are nothing. There's no comparison between them and West Ham, for example. They are miles apart."
— Marc White on the Championship's financial divide

"Beyond that, there is not such a gap, but you can definitely put a thick border between the Championship and League One. I think that's why you see the likes of Bromley and Stockport go on the same journey from non-league that we are trying to make, and go up from League Two too. But then they get to League One and it is like the next bit is the tough bit."
— Marc White on the non-league to Football League pathway

Analysis: Why Sutton backs City at Old Trafford

Chris Sutton believes Marcus Rashford's fitness gives Manchester United a genuine goal threat, but he cannot ignore their defensive record. United have conceded twice in each of their matches against Hull, Ipswich and Everton, and Sutton argues that pattern will continue against a City side managed by Enzo Maresca, who has made a 100% start. The logical conclusion is a high-scoring away win.

Marc White approaches the same fixture from a broader perspective. He highlights the financial chasm between the Premier League and the Championship, noting that clubs like Fulham, Bournemouth and Brentford could be overtaken by historically bigger Championship clubs if they make poor managerial appointments. His point about managerial importance echoes the situation at Old Trafford, where every result is scrutinised.

On the other fixtures, Sutton is backing Chelsea to beat Hull City 3-0, and he explains that Hull's stubborn defence will eventually be undone by Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro. He also expects Aston Villa to finally score and win against Nottingham Forest, despite both sides struggling for form. Bournemouth vs Brentford and Crystal Palace vs Ipswich Town are predicted as tight encounters, with Sutton plumping for a home win at Selhurst Park.

Talking points

Can Manchester United really outscore Manchester City if both defences are leaky? Sutton says United will score but still lose.
Marc White claims some Premier League clubs are lucky to be there, naming Fulham, Bournemouth and Brentford as examples of smaller clubs at risk.
Hull City have not conceded yet but Sutton predicts a 3-0 Chelsea win. Will Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro prove him right?
Aston Villa have not scored in the league but Sutton tips them to edge Forest. Is that optimism or logic?

What happens next

All matches take place on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September. Manchester United host Manchester City on Sunday at Old Trafford, with Enzo Maresca's side looking to maintain their perfect start. Aston Villa face Nottingham Forest at Villa Park, Bournemouth welcome Brentford to the Vitality Stadium, Chelsea meet Hull City at Stamford Bridge, Crystal Palace take on Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park, and Liverpool play at Anfield. Every point matters as the table begins to take shape.