Football

Chris Sutton’s FA Cup Quarter-Final Predictions: Fulham vs Palace, Brighton vs Forest, Preston vs Villa, & Bournemouth vs Man City

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Sushan Chakraborty
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Published28 Mar 2025

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Former Celtic star Chris Sutton has made some big predictions for this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final clashes.

On Saturday, March 29, at 12:15 GMT, Fulham will host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage. Later, at 17:15 GMT, Brighton & Hove Albion will welcome Nottingham Forest to the Amex Stadium.

Preston North End kicks off Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final action at 13:30, hosting Aston Villa at Deepdale. Then, at 16:30, English champions Manchester City will make the trip to Vitality Stadium for their clash with Bournemouth.

Chris Sutton Backs Fulham to Beat Crystal Palace

In his BBC column, Sutton wrote:

“I’ve found Fulham hard to predict this season because they’ve been less reliable than usual at home, but they are still having a strong campaign – they are in the mix for the Champions League places, and are only three points behind fifth-placed City.

“Palace are very strong on the road, but they have not played for the past three weeks – their game against Newcastle before the international break was postponed because of the Carabao Cup final.”

He added:

“This is going to be a close game, but I actually fancy Fulham to edge it. Marco Silva’s side have got goals in them, and my gut feeling is that they will get through in 90 minutes.

“I just hope both managers go for it properly, and don’t prioritise next week’s midweek Premier League games [Fulham are at Arsenal on Tuesday and Palace travel to Southampton on Wednesday] instead of this tie.”

Sutton concluded by adding:

“Fulham and Palace have shown this season they have got enough quality in their strongest starting XIs to go all the way in the FA Cup, especially this year when the competition appears so open.”

Sutton’s Prediction: Fulham 2-1 Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton: Brighton to get Revenge for 7-0 Drubbing at Nottingham

On the Brighton vs Nottingham clash, Sutton added:

“Brighton will see this as the chance to get revenge for their 7-0 defeat at the City Ground at the start of February.

“I am sure some people felt the wheels had come off for Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler after that result, but instead his side have bounced back and gone on a great run of six wins and one draw in all competitions. Sometimes getting thrashed like that can have a positive effect on a team, and clear the air.”

Sutton suspects Nottingham will prioritise Champions League qualification over FA Cup glory this season.

“As for Nottingham Forest, they are the only team left in the FA Cup where I could understand it if they rested players this weekend, because of their league position,” Sutton continued.

“They play Manchester United on Tuesday, and the finish line is in sight for my boyhood team to finish third and secure Champions League football.”

“Their game plan won’t change without [Chris] Wood [injured] – they will sit deep and attack on the break, it is just a question on whether it is their A team who face Brighton or not, and my hunch is that Nuno Espirito Santo will make a few changes.”

Sutton’s Prediction: Brighton 2-o Nottingham

Chris Sutton Predicts a Straightforward Win for Aston Villa

Aston Villa will take on underdogs Preston North End in the FA Cup quarter-finals this week. Although Preston have sprung a few surprises over the years, Sutton is not expecting one this Sunday.

“Preston are hard to beat at home and have not lost at Deepdale since 2 November, a run of 15 games. I’ve seen quite a bit of Paul Heckingbottom’s team this season and they will defend deep, set up in a 3-5-2 shape and make themselves hard to break down.

“It’s an old football cliche, but in this case it is very true that the first goal will be extremely important. Aston Villa have got some brilliant attacking players, but I also always feel like teams can score against them.”

He added:

“If they go behind, they could have problems but I do feel their quality should see them through – depending on Unai Emery’s team selection of course, with a big league game coming up at Brighton on Wednesday.

“I’m still backing them here, but it is going to be a cagey game, and they might have to wait to make the breakthrough before a couple of late goals get the job done.”

Sutton’s Prediction: Preston 0-2 Aston Villa

Bournemouth Won’t Beat Manchester City Again, Says Chris Sutton

Manchester City’s woeful run last year started with a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth. Chris Sutton, however, does not expect the underdogs to prevail in the FA Cup.

“Bournemouth were the team who started the rot for Manchester City when they deservedly beat them in November, for what was the defending champions’ first league defeat of the season,” said Sutton.

“Back then, they were still ‘mighty City’, the team who were dominating English football, who hardly ever slipped up. Who would have imagined that, five months on, they would have lost eight of their next 19 league games and be in the position they are now, with just the FA Cup left as the only thing they can win?”

He continued:

“This competition is huge for City now, because it feels so crucial for boss Pep Guardiola to finish such a difficult season with a piece of silverware.

“So, it helps him that the Cherries are not in great form, with only one point from their past four league games, and also that they are without two key defenders here; Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen, who are both suspended.”

Sutton concluded by adding:

“Pep always takes the FA Cup seriously anyway, and he has shown that by reaching the semi-finals for each of the past six seasons – something no other team had done before. Will City make it to the last four again? Yes… but only just.

“Bournemouth are so good with their press that they won’t allow City to easily play out from the back – there are going to be plenty of goals, and I can see it being settled in extra time.”

Sutton’s prediction: 2-3 after extra time