Chris Sutton makes Crystal Palace, Fulham and Liverpool predictions as 'slow burner' claim made

The festive fixtures continue on Sunday and this slate of games will stretch across Sunday, Monday and even Wednesday. Crystal Palace will be looking to continue their recovery on Sunday, taking on a struggling Southampton side, while Fulham face a good-looking Bournemouth side as they look to back up that huge win over Chelsea.

West Ham have an even trickier job of backing up their Boxing Day win, taking on a Liverpool side that looks unstoppable currently. Here we round up the predictions of BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton ahead of those games.

Crystal Palace vs Southampton

“Crystal Palace are definitely showing more mettle at the moment, and they were very well organised in their 0-0 draw at Bournemouth. To be fair to Southampton, the same can already be said for them under new manager Ivan Juric. I know they lost to West Ham in his first game in charge, but they could have got something out of it.

“Saints seem to have changed their style - from purists to pumping it - but there is nothing wrong with being direct, and they showed their resilient side when they got a draw at Fulham before Christmas, when Juric was watching from the stands. I am expecting another close game here, but Palace will probably edge it. Prediction: 1-0.”

Fulham vs Bournemouth

“What a result for Fulham last time out. Marco Silva's side only snatched their win over Chelsea right at the end at Stamford Bridge, but they fully deserved it. Bournemouth are on a great run too, although they have cost me some predictions points by drawing their past two home games when I thought they would win.

“So, who do I go for here? Both teams are on a run of six games without defeat, so it is a tough call. The easiest thing to go for would be a draw, especially since Fulham have drawn their past three games at Craven Cottage, but I am going to be brave and choose a winner, and I am backing Silva's side. I am a little surprised that Silva doesn't get linked with big jobs anymore when they become available.

“Maybe that is because he was seen as under-achieving at Everton when he finished eighth in 2018-19. But if you look at what has happened to them since, when you look back, he was a success at Goodison Park. Prediction: 2-1.”

West Ham vs Liverpool

“Is anyone going to be able to stop Liverpool? I don't think West Ham will. To be fair to the Hammers, they are level on points with Spurs and above Manchester United in the table, so maybe their season is just a slow burner. So far, they have been underwhelming under Julen Lopetegui, but they have now put together a four-game unbeaten run and Jarrod Bowen seems to have become their go-to player in recent weeks.

“Liverpool's ability to rotate their team could be key again here, though. They did that against Leicester last time out, when Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz dropped to the bench - I had Diaz as my Fantasy captain, so I was not happy - but it made no difference to the way they played. Arne Slot has such great quality right through his squad that I just think the Reds will keep rolling on. They won't have as much fun as they did the last time they were in London, but they should leave with the points again. Prediction: 0-2.”