'Must not happen' - Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on outcome of Sunderland clash vs Brighton
Sunderland host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League this weekend.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both predicted that Sunderland will draw with Brighton and Hove Albion when the two sides meet in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The Black Cats are aiming to bounce back from an unexpected FA Cup exit at the hands of League One strugglers Port Vale last weekend, and will be hoping to build on the narrow 1-0 victory they recorded over Leeds United in their most recent top flight outing.
For their part, the Seagulls were beaten 1-0 by league leaders Arsenal last time out, but had picked up positive results against Nottingham Forest and high-flying Brentford prior to that setback.
And taking all of that into account, both Merson and Sutton have forecast a sharing of the spoils on Wearside.
What has Paul Merson said about Sunderland vs Brighton?
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson said: “Sunderland had a shocking result last weekend. For a team that are safe in the Premier League, Port Vale away in the FA Cup to reach the quarter-finals was a must-win game. Them losing that game was a real shocker to me.
“Brighton were good against Arsenal, but they failed to get anything from that game and that's worrying if you ask me. In many ways, they are like Bournemouth. They play decent football but won't win a lot of games.
“If you are Sunderland, you want to finish the season well. There is a chance they could fizzle out now and that must not happen. Imagine if they end up finishing just six points above the relegation zone at the end of the season, that's not good at all!
“Sunderland need to ensure everyone feels positive about the next season. They must not finish the season and think, ‘We were lucky we had a good start, otherwise we would be relegated now'. Expecting a decent football match here with both teams sharing the points.” Merson has predicted a 2-2 draw.
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What has Chris Sutton said about Sunderland vs Brighton?
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sutton said: “I was really disappointed by Sunderland's defeat at Port Vale in the FA Cup, and not just because that was another prediction I got wrong. It felt like an absolute gimme for Regis le Bris' side, and I wanted to see them have a decent cup run. They have still had a great season and they have already hit 40 points so they will be absolutely fine in terms of staying up.
“But they will still want to finish the season strongly, and that means they need to get their home form going again - after staying unbeaten there for so long, they have lost the past two at the Stadium of Light.
“Brighton hit a sticky patch too around the turn of the year but they had picked up again with wins over Brentford and Nottingham Forest before narrowly losing out to Arsenal last time out. The Seagulls can reel Sunderland in and move above them in the table with a win but I don't think they will get one. Instead, I am going for a draw.” Sutton has opted for a 1-1 draw.
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