Sutton’s Predictions vs Boxing Promoter and Arsenal Supporter Frank Warren

Premier League Returns

The Premier League is set to resume this weekend, and Chris Sutton remarkably finds himself at the top of the BBC predictions leaderboard. Sutton’s success in the previous round of matches before the international break has propelled him from the bottom to the first position, based solely on accurate match winners.

“I’m back where I should be—above AI,” remarked Sutton, the football analyst for BBC Sport. “The championship is in my control now, although I’m uncertain if that’s a positive.”

Sutton has undertaken the task of predicting outcomes for all 380 Premier League games this season, competing against AI, readers of BBC Sport, and a series of guest participants.

This week’s guest making predictions alongside Sutton is Frank Warren, a promoter in the boxing world and an ardent Arsenal supporter.

Two fighters under Warren’s management, Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois, are scheduled to clash for Wardley’s WBO heavyweight title on May 9. This bout will be broadcast live on DAZN, with play-by-play commentary available on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Are you in agreement with their assessments? You can express your own choices.

The consensus score selected for each game will be utilized for scoreboards and standings at the end of this feature.

A correct outcome (win, draw, or defeat) is worth 10 points, while predicting the exact score nets 40 points.

Premier League Predictions

Friday, 10 April

Location: London Stadium, 20:00 BST

Many teams have been off for several weeks, causing uncertainty about their current form.

Wolves seem to be aware of their position but have shown improvement under manager Rob Edwards. They have garnered some positive results after a rocky start. However, their last outing was on March 16.

West Ham’s recent FA Cup encounter against Leeds extending into extra time was not ideal, given the significant game they have coming up.

They ultimately lost on penalties and have struggled in the league, only securing one victory in their past six matches, placing them in the relegation zone. However, I predict they will escape that danger this Friday.

Wolves have already managed two victories against West Ham this season, once in the league and once in the Carabao Cup. This time, I foresee a win for the Hammers.

With the pressure resting on them, playing at home could benefit them, and I anticipate Jarrod Bowen to be the deciding factor.

Sutton’s Prediction: 2-1
Frank’s Prediction: It’s been almost a month since Wolves last played; that’s surprising. 2-0
AI’s Prediction: 2-1

Saturday, 11 April

Location: Emirates Stadium, 12:30

Criticism of Arsenal following their back-to-back defeats has been excessive, particularly after being outplayed by Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final. City is a strong opponent, capable of outmatching many teams. The reserves faced Southampton in the FA Cup, leading to further dissatisfaction.

However, Arsenal rebounded with a win over Sporting on Tuesday, courtesy of a pivotal goal from Kai Havertz. I expect a similar result against Bournemouth.

Bournemouth presents a challenge, currently enjoying an unbeaten streak with five draws in their last matches. Since Arsenal beat them 3-2 earlier this year, they haven’t suffered a loss in 11 league fixtures.

While there’s pressure on Arsenal, their record against the remaining teams this season shows promise, with only Manchester City still ahead of them.

Sutton’s Prediction: 2-0
Frank’s Prediction: They must channel their performance against Sporting, showcasing resilience and a win-at-all-cost approach. 3-1
AI’s Prediction: 1-0

Sunday, 12 April

Location: Selhurst Park, 14:00

With Crystal Palace’s focus on their ongoing Europa Conference campaign, it raises questions about how much effort they will invest in this fixture against Newcastle.

Palace might prioritize their European ambitions now that they seem safe from relegation, which could open the door for Newcastle. Nonetheless, Newcastle’s road performance has been lacking recently, and they can’t afford a slip-up here.

Eddie Howe requires a solid finish to the season, but with both derby matches against Sunderland ending unfavorably, he may face scrutiny from the fans.

Sutton’s Prediction: 1-1
Frank’s Prediction: 3-2
AI’s Prediction: 0-0

Monday, 13 April

Location: Old Trafford, 20:00

Daniel Farke deserves credit for his work with Leeds United, which led them to an FA Cup semi-final. However, recent injuries from their match against West Ham could complicate matters for them.

Conversely, Manchester United has seen a turnaround under Michael Carrick, positioning them for a Champions League berth next season. The odds favor them at Old Trafford.

Sutton’s Prediction: 2-1
Frank’s Prediction: It should be an exciting match—Manchester United to win. 3-1
AI’s Prediction: 3-1

How did Sutton perform in the FA Cup?

Southampton pulled off a surprising victory against Premier League front-runners Arsenal in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with several predicting it in advance. Chris, along with his guest Richard Riakporhe and AI, anticipated Arsenal’s advancement, as did 78% of BBC Sport’s audience. Yet remarkably, over 7,000 viewers foresaw a victory for the Saints.

This match was the only one where Chris and Riakporhe guessed incorrectly, along with AI and the viewers who expected West Ham to triumph over Leeds.

Overall, Chris has accurately predicted 36 out of 60 match-ups since the third round, with his guests scoring 34, AI at 41, and readers leading with 43.

How did Sutton fare in the last Premier League fixtures?

Before the international break and FA Cup, Chris correctly predicted four outcomes from eight Premier League matches in week 31, including one exact score, totaling 70 points.

This win secures him the top spot for now, though one match pending from that round could change this. His guests have each tallied 60 points, while BBC readers are at 30 points, and AI stands at 20 points.

Chris’s prediction prowess has resulted in seven weekly wins, outperforming all others, a testament to his long-standing tradition of predictions.