Chris Sutton makes Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham predictions as 'worried' claim made

Another round of Premier League fixtures is about to get going, with the festive fixtures rumbling on. The pre-New Year fixtures are a little spread out this time around, with a slate of games across Sunday, Monday and even Wednesday.

Arsenal need to win to keep the pressure on at the top, while Chelsea and Spurs will both be vying to bounce back from defeats. Here we round up the predictions from BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton.

Tottenham vs Wolves

“Ange Postecoglou sounded a bit deflated after Tottenham's defeat at Nottingham Forest. While I still think he has brought so much to the Premier League, you cannot deny he needs a positive result or two. It definitely does not help that he is so short of fit centre-backs at the moment and, overall, says this is the worst injury crisis he has ever faced as a manager.

“Ange is just going to have to get on with it, but this game looks a lot tougher than it might have done a couple of weeks ago. Wolves have won their first two matches under new manager Vitor Pereira and, after shipping a load of goals under Gary O'Neil, they kept two clean sheets too. I am still backing Spurs here though, despite their defensive issues. They did not score against Forest but had some decent chances and, at home, I think they will find a way to win. Prediction: 2-1.”

Ipswich Town vs Chelsea

“Chelsea have had a couple of disappointing results over Christmas, firstly failing to score against Everton and then losing late on against Fulham. Maybe Blues boss Enzo Maresca was right when he said his side were not title contenders. I still think that was more kidology than him ruling his side out of the race but, either way, it must be painful to drop points like that after winning their previous eight games in all competitions.

“I am backing them to bounce back here, though, because they should have too much quality for Ipswich. Fair play to the Tractor Boys, as much as I love giving them a kicking at times, they ran Arsenal close on Friday night. That was typical of Kieran McKenna's side this season. They have given it a real go in the Premier League and they never seem to lie down, whoever they play.

“While I am going for a Chelsea win, the one thing at the back of my mind here is that Ipswich's determination and will to hang on in there in games has already brought them some reward in away games. Eventually it is going to bring them a first home win of the campaign too. Prediction: 0-2.”

Brentford vs Arsenal

“I am worried about Arsenal without Bukayo Saka, who has been ruled out for more than a couple of months. On top of that, Brentford away is obviously a very tough test when you consider how phenomenal the Bees have been at home this season.

“But I am backing the Gunners to run Liverpool close in the title race this season and, because of that, I am going with them to win this game, somehow. Prediction: 0-1.”