Chris Sutton has delivered his predictions for this weekend’s Premier League games and has vented his frustrations with a rule set to affect Everton.
The Toffees return from the international break and have a difficult match to restart domestic proceedings when they travel to the Etihad against Manchester City.
David Moyes’ side head into the match with some positive news, as Jordan Pickford has signed a new deal to stay at Everton.
However, there is also some negativity, as one Everton player won’t be in action, and Chris Sutton has not been left amused.
Chris Sutton working as a pundit before a game
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Chris Sutton disagrees with rule that makes Jack Grealish ineligible against Manchester City
Chris Sutton has given his thoughts on the Premier League rule that means loan players cannot play against their parent clubs, and the pundit is not a fan of it.
Everton are set to be affected by it on Saturday, with on-loan star Jack Grealish ineligible for their match against Manchester City.
Sutton said via his BBC column, “What a joke it is that Jack Grealish cannot play for Everton against his parent club.
“The City fans would love to welcome Grealish back like they did Kevin De Bruyne with Napoli a few weeks ago, and he would have had a point to prove against Pep Guardiola. City were happy for him to leave on loan, so why shouldn’t he play against them?
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“Grealish has been a revelation for Everton and is a big reason they have been more expansive this season. Without him, I am just expecting them to stay deep and defend in numbers.”
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Without their star man, David Moyes will have to find another solution in attack.
Tyler Dibling could be an option, with the young star possessing similar qualities to Jack Grealish, but he is still quite raw, and a game against opposition such as Manchester City could be seen as throwing him into the deep end.
Chris Sutton predicts Manchester City to beat Everton
With Jack Grealish ineligible to play, Chris Sutton does not fancy Everton’s chances against Man City.
He said, “They will still try to get in behind City on the break and try to make the most of the home side’s high line, but Grealish would have improved their chances of getting something here, and the fact he is not playing has upset me.
“Everton might still get some chances, but the big question for everyone playing City at the moment is how do you stop Erling Haaland – and I am not sure they will have the answer.”
The former Premier League footballer predicted the Toffees to lose 2-0 in the end.
The pundit is also not alone in his verdict on the outcome, but Gary Neville and Roy Keane expect Everton to do something Sutton does not.