Sutton's predictions v Crookhaven stars Amari Bacchus & Genesis Lynea

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A picture of Chris Sutton with wording next to it that says BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton

Two of the teams fighting relegation meet on Sunday when Tottenham host Nottingham Forest, but are there more than just points at stake?

"If we do get a winner here, it is a huge boost for that team psychologically going into the international break," said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton.

"But, for the losing manager, it could mean the sack. That applies to Forest's Vitor Pereira as well as Igor Tudor at Spurs - this is a classic game where triumph or disaster awaits both clubs."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.

His guests for week 31 are Amari Bacchus and Genesis Lynea, stars of new CBBC drama series Crookhaven.

Crookhaven begins with a double bill on Sunday, 22 March at 15:05 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and at 17:25 on CBBC. The full series will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer from this date.

Do you agree with their scores? You can pick your own below.

The most popular scoreline selected for each game is used in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

Crookhaven star Amari Bacchus

Image caption,

Amari played DI Bascombe's son Adam Bascombe in Adolescence, Netflix's breakout hit of the year. His character in Crookhaven, Ade, has a twin brother called Ede and they are both super-geeks and skilful hackers who call themselves 'the Brothers Crim'

Amari is a Tottenham fan who has been suffering because of their poor form in recent weeks but is feeling a little bit more positive after Spurs drew with Liverpool and beat Atletico Madrid.

"Sunday is such a big game, but yeah I am feeling a little bit more confident now," he told BBC Sport.

"I don't think the manager needs to change, though, whatever happens against Forest. It is more about the mentality of the players that matters now, and the supporters too.

"Everyone needs to get behind the team, because the players know the situation they are in, they just have to get us out of it."

"The squad we had against Liverpool was probably the worst we have had for a long time in terms of depth and everything, but we showed some fight and still got something out of the game.

"Against Forest, and after that too, we need more of the same. If we have that same spirit, and get some players back from injury, then we are going to be OK."

Crookhaven star Genesis Lynea

Image caption,

Genesis' character in Crookhaven, Whisper, is co-head of the school - a celebrated hacker who trains her students in acquiring unmatchable hacking skills. She has previously starred in Silent Witness, Doctor Who and Casualty

As well as her TV roles, Genesis has appeared in several musicals such as The Bodyguard and Bend it Like Beckham: The Musical, but at an early age she dreamt of football stardom as well as singing and acting.

"Football was my first love," she explained. "I was six when it entered my world.

"I am from Bermuda originally but in the summer of 1996 we moved to London. My step-dad is German and he supported Arsenal. I would watch their games with him because he would get so excited, just screaming and following what he did.

"Because of that, I played football too. In primary school it was always me and all the boys chasing a plastic ball. Eventually I started playing for the boys' school team and did a few training camps with Arsenal and Tottenham - I met Patrick Vieira at one of them.

"Watching the 1998 World Cup opened things up even more for me. I was watching out for the Arsenal players and their home countries, but it was the social aspect too. Everyone in the street was excited and cheering and it was like the frenetic energy you also get on stage. I think that was when I started to merge the two worlds.

"We moved back to Bermuda when I was 13 and that's when I got really serious with football. I was playing for the Bermuda national squad as well as my school and my local team. My headmaster told me I could play professionally but, back then, the United States was the only place you could do that.

"At 16, I did get offered a university scholarship in the US and also had the chance to go and play in Ecuador, but my mum said no, because we were going back to London.

"After that I stopped playing for a while, until I went to university. I wish I could play more now, but injuries have taken their toll on my knees. What I miss most is being part of a team because I loved that - the feeling you have a purpose and a place, and are part of a community too."

Chris Sutton, Amari Bacchus and Genesis Lynea were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat - we simply asked the tool to 'predict this weekend's Premier League scores'.

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Premier League & Carabao Cup final predictions

  • Vitality Stadium, 20:00 GMT, Premier League

Bournemouth have got an excellent record against Manchester United, who haven't beaten them home or away in any of their past five attempts.

United do look like a different team under Michael Carrick, and they have got some momentum as well as a Champions League spot in their sights.

But while Bournemouth used to be a team who I always fancied to score, and could be quite open, recently they have become a lot tighter at the back.

The Cherries have drawn their past four games, with three of those matches ending goalless, and the other one finishing 1-1.

They have now drawn 14 of their 30 league games this season - including a 4-4 thriller when these sides met at Old Trafford in December - and this smells of another draw to me.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Amari's prediction: United have picked up a bit. 1-3

Genesis' prediction: Another draw for Bournemouth. 1-1

AI's prediction: 1-2

  • Amex Stadium, 12:30, Premier League

Brighton have hit a bit of form but how do you know what to expect from Liverpool at the moment? They are so up and down - will they turn up this week?

Liverpool's standout player this season has been Dominik Szoboszlai, and they are probably looking to him to do something special again here.

I've mentioned before how Brighton fans are not having Fabian Hurzeler, so this run of good results as manager - they have won three of their past four games - has come at a good time.

I was at Anfield in December when Liverpool won 2-0 and Brighton should have got something out of that game. This time, Brighton will beat them.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Amari's prediction: Brighton are one of those teams that can surprise you. I just have a feeling they are going to win this. 2-1

Genesis' prediction: Brighton might take the lead but I think Liverpool will bring it back. 1-2

AI's prediction: 1-2

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00, Premier League

Fair play to Clarets boss Scott Parker. His side are going to go down, but they have remained competitive over the past few weeks and shown they are capable of getting something in matches whether they are home or away.

I don't see them getting anything here, however. Fulham's form is patchy but I've seen enough of them this season to know they are a good team on their day, when they click.

Marco Silva's side are a team I always seem to get wrong when I make my predictions but if they play the way they can, they will win.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Amari's prediction: Fulham are another team who are very up and down. After watching them against Forest last week, I think they are going to pick up again. 2-0

Genesis' prediction: Fulham will be too strong. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Hill Dickinson Stadium, 17:30, Premier League

I was at Chelsea's defeat by Newcastle last weekend and they did not offer enough in the final third.

I also need to mention their pre-match huddle before that game too. Deary me. I like Blues boss Liam Rosenior but what was he talking about when he said his players were there to "respect the ball"?

It's nonsense. What are they going to respect next, the corner flag?

As for this game, well it will be close. Everton pushed Arsenal all the way last time out, but couldn't quite hang on.

I think this has turned into a big game for Rosenior's future now, because he needs a strong end to the season in the Premier League to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Chelsea have got some quality players, of course, and I am also still not sure about Everton at their new ground, even though they beat Burnley in their previous home game.

I want to be brave here, and pick a winner because I am expecting both teams to go for it... but instead I am going to go for a draw.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Amari's prediction: I was watching Everton against Arsenal, hoping they would hold on, but they didn't quite manage it. Chelsea have had a bad week but they will bounce back here. 1-3

Genesis' prediction: Chelsea will score, but Everton will take the win. 3-1

AI's prediction: 1-2

  • Elland Road, 20:00, Premier League

The way Brentford will set up is almost tailor-made to face Leeds, really, to hit them on the counter-attack.

Keith Andrews's side are pushing for Europe and they will be annoyed they let a 2-0 lead slip in their 2-2 draw with Wolves on Monday.

There could be some nervy moments for the home fans when the Bees break forward, but I am still going to back Leeds to get the job done at Elland Road.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Amari's prediction: This is a big game for Spurs too! On a good day, Brentford play very well... and I think this is going to be one of their good days. 0-3

Genesis' prediction: Leeds are the underdogs here, right? I love an underdog, and I think they will get a draw. 1-1

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • St James' Park, 12:00, Premier League

I was at Nou Camp on Wednesday and although the wheels came off spectacularly in the second half, the story of the tie is that for one-and-a-half legs, Newcastle competed really well against Barcelona.

Even so, that defeat leaves Magpies boss Eddie Howe in a similar situation to Liam Rosenior at Chelsea, where it is important that he is has a strong end to the Premier League season to silence all his doubters.

I still think we have seen enough from Newcastle over the course of this campaign for Howe's job to be safe.

The glaring thing for me against Barca came after the game, watching their unused substitutes doing their running drills.

Two of the subs were their big summer attacking signings, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade. The fact they had a huge European tie and neither got on the pitch summed up their impact this season.

So, I have massive sympathy for Howe about that, and how much losing top scorer Alexander Isak last summer has affected his team.

This is a massive game for Newcastle, because they have got to pick themselves up and go again, against their biggest rivals.

If they lose this too, you know people are going to hit Howe with that stick that he is is not the right man to take the club forward.

They lost at Stadium of Light before Christmas, when Woltemade scored an own goal, so they simply cannot let the Black Cats do the double over them.

Sunderland's form has dropped off in the past few weeks and it does look like they are fizzling out, but the question is whether Newcastle can find the energy to see them off. I think they will.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Amari's prediction: There will be some goals in this one! 2-2

Genesis' prediction: This will be spicy! I'm giving it to Newcastle. 2-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Villa Park, 14:15, Premier League

Aston Villa have lost their past three Premier League games, while West Ham are showing plenty of resilience and have been picking up points.

Morgan Rogers scored a couple of crackers when Villa fought back to beat the Hammers earlier in the season, and this is going to be just as close.

Villa boss Unai Emery is cutting a frustrated figure at the moment with their loss of form, but they are still in fourth place.

They are going to get back on track at some point and, if they can keep Jarrod Bowen quiet, then I see them edging this one at home.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Amari's prediction: West Ham have improved but Villa being at home gives me a bit more confidence in them. 1-0

Genesis' prediction: I feel like these two teams play each other a lot, but that might just be my warped mind! 2-1

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 14:15, Premier League

People have been panning Tottenham boss Igor Tudor but they will look upon him in a different light if his side win this game.

Maybe he just needs to identify the opposition's threat a little bit better than he does opposing managers - that clip of him mistaking someone else for Arne Slot at Anfield last week did make me chuckle.

Nottingham Forest's issue is that they don't score enough goals, and that lack of attacking threat might just cost them here.

I know I keep mentioning it, but Forest manager Vitor Pereira has still not won a Premier League game all season, after 12 attempts with Wolves and Forest.

I don't think he will win this week, either, although this is going to be an extremely tight game.

Spurs' first aim will be to avoid any calamities like their red card against Crystal Palace in their previous home league game.

They have a few injuries, but they still have a fair bit of quality in their team.

Tottenham also have a bit of positivity and momentum after Wednesday's home win over Atletico Madrid, even though it wasn't enough to turn around their Champions League tie. Now they need to build on that.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Amari's prediction: If we play like we did against Liverpool and we get some players back from injury too, then we can do this. Forest have got some good players but we just need to get a result, it doesn't matter how. 3-2

Amari on why he supports Spurs, and his favourite players: It's down to my dad - every single person on my dad's side is a Spurs fan. When I was kid, my heroes were Gareth Bale and then Dele Alli - when he first came to us, he was incredible.

Amari on whether Spurs will stay up or not? It's been such a frustrating time because I don't know what's been going wrong. We can say it's because of injuries but every team has those. We have been missing lots of players, but we still have a good squad.

I've been stressed about it before, but I am not stressed about it right now. If we are still in this situation with three games left then it is different, we might be going down. Now? I do believe we can get out of this.

Genesis' prediction: I am going to give you a strange one here - I think Forest will surprise people. 1-3

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Wembley, 16:30, Carabao Cup final

I don't think this game has any bearing on the Premier League title race.

The narrative that has been doing the rounds for a long time is that whoever wins this game wins the title, but that is not the case now - City are not catching Arsenal whatever happens at Wembley.

City are out of the Champions League now but I have got to say I thought they were brilliant on Tuesday against Real Madrid, before and after they went down to 10 men.

They went for it and they were not just brave, they created plenty of chances.

With the nature of the Premier League this season, I think this will be a very different game, however.

I fear this will be a really ugly and dull encounter, where both teams avoid taking risks.

Sutton's prediction: 0-0 after extra time, City to win on penalties

Amari's prediction: I think City in a final are a different team to the one we've seen in the past few weeks. It will be close though. 1-2

Genesis' prediction: Come on the Gunners! It's going to happen, we are going to win. 2-1

Genesis on why she's always been an Arsenal fan: I will watch every men's World Cup for sure, and the women's tournaments too, but I am always a Gunner - you can't rub that off!

AI's prediction: 2-1

How did Sutton do last time?

Chris got four correct results from the 10 games in week 30, with one exact score, for a total of 70 points.

That saw him tie for the weekly win with the BBC readers who, collectively, ended up with exactly the same tally.

Chris and the readers even picked up points in the same fixtures - including an exact score for Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton - and you also, wrongly, both went for a 2-1 Brentford win over Wolves in the final game of the weekend, ensuring that game would not provide an outright winner.

AI still had hopes of victory going into Monday's match, and would have snatched the weekly win if the final score had been 1-1, not 2-2. It ended up with six correct results with no exact scores, leaving it on 60 points.

Chris's guest, Angry Ginge, was never in the running, however. He managed only one correct result - although at least he was right about his team, Manchester United, beating Villa - and no exact scores.

That means he joins Picture Parlour's Katherine Parlour at the bottom of the guest leaderboard, on 10 points.

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