"Did look more like their old selves" - Chris Sutton makes surprising prediction for Newcastle vs Liverpool

BBC pundit and former player Chris Sutton reckons Newcastle United and Liverpool will play out a draw when they meet this weekend. The two teams will clash in the Premier League at St. James' Park on Saturday (February 18).

The Reds are coming off a 2-0 win over Everton at Anfield in their last league outing. The victory over the Toffees snapped their three-gamewinless run across competitions, but they are only ninth in the standings.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are coming off a 1-1 draw with AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League last week. It was the Magpies' second draw in succession and their fifth in six league games. They sit fourth and are just two points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand.

Sutton believes another 1-1 stalemate is on the cards when Eddie Howe's team host the Reds on Saturday. The one-time Premier League winner wrote in his column for BBC:

"Have Liverpool turned the corner with Monday's win over Everton? I am not sure about that. Jurgen Klopp's side did look more like their old selves, especially with the way they counter-attacked, but their defence was not exactly stretched."

He continued:

"The question with Newcastle is whether they are just running out of steam. They looked short of energy against Bournemouth last time out. Bruno Guimaraes, who is still suspended, is a big miss too. They just don't have the same control in midfield without him."

Sutton concluded:

"Liverpool are the only team to have beaten Newcastle in the league this season. I don't see them doing the double - but I am going to sit on the fence and go with a draw."

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Liverpool recorded last-gasp win against Newcastle United earlier this season

As Chris Sutton mentioned in his column, Liverpool remain the only side to have beaten Newcastle United in the Premier League this term. The Magpies have enjoyed a tremendous campaign and have only been held back by drawing half of their 22 games.

The two teams played out a thriller in their first league meeting of the season at Anfield in September last year. Alexander Isak gave Newcastle the lead in the 38th minute with his first goal for the club. However, Jurgen Klopp's side equalised with Roberto Firmino towards the hour mark.

The match looked destined to end in a draw, but Fabio Carvalho popped up with an injury-time winner to seal all three points for Liverpool.

Newcastle could look to avenge that loss on Saturday.