Liverpool are still top of the Premier League, but how will they react to last week’s defeat by title rivals Arsenal when they take on struggling Burnley on Saturday?
“This is actually a really big game for Liverpool,” said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton. “It is about bouncing back, not just after a defeat but because they produced such a flat performance at Emirates Stadium.”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches again this season, against a variety of guests.
For this weekend’s games, he takes on Sexy Beast star Stephen Moyer, who is a West Ham fan.
Sexy Beast is streaming now on Paramount+ with new episodes weekly.
Moyer is now based in the United States but his spiritual home is West Ham’s former ground, Upton Park, and his family have followed the club for several generations.
“It goes right back to Green Street, where my great-grandmother on my mum’s side was born,” he told BBC Sport. “All her family are from around east London and my dad’s side were from the same areas too.
“I went to my first West Ham game aged six, and I think getting rid of Upton Park was a wrong move.
“The club applied a lot to try to get permission to extend the stadium but I think what should have happened is that they got some investment and bought all the houses around Green Street, all of that area, and created the new stadium right there.
“And of course that is ultimately what Tottenham ended up doing. Because they didn’t get the London Stadium, they did exactly that next to White Hart Lane and now they have got probably the best stadium in the Premier League.”
The atmosphere at the London Stadium has been criticised, with some Hammers fans unhappy with the shape of the ground and the distance they are from the pitch, but Moyer feels that could be improved using ideas he has seen in Major League Soccer.
“I did this Marvel gig in Atlanta with another English actor, Sean Teale, in 2017 and we got invited to watch Atlanta United, who had just been set up,” he said.
“What happens there is when an Atlanta player gets substituted, or when you get to the 22nd minute and the number 22 is on the pitch, their song gets sung.
“That happened late on in a game I was at, when it was dark in the stadium, and everyone got their lighters out and then one whole end of the stadium had flags, flares and drums, and I honestly had not been to a football game where the atmosphere was as good. I could not believe it.
“And then I came back for a West Ham game, where I was a season ticket holder even though I lived in America, and everyone was just sitting there in silence.
“In England we have got so used to the standard of football being so high that, when it’s not, we just shut up and stadiums just become like a library.
“We only cheer now when our team is going forward. If we are doing badly we just sit there. In America, if the team is doing badly, they get louder.
“West Ham fans make more noise when there are 2,000 of us as the away team than they do at home, and yet here’s the thing about the London Stadium – when it is kicking, when everyone is loud, it is kind of unbelievable.
“The noise in that place is unreal, once it is up and running, but it seems as if it is hard to get people to do it. And honestly, and I know I could be unpopular for saying this, everyone should go to a game in the US, like Atlanta or Los Angeles FC, because it is a riot.
“LA have crowds of 22,000 screaming for two hours. It is just unbelievable, and very different to fans in England, not just at West Ham. Sometimes I come back and think they need a rocket up their backsides to get them going.”
Chris Sutton and Stephen Moyer were speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
| When? | Result | Sutton | Stephen |
| SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY | |||
| Man City v Everton | 2-0 | 3-0 | 3-0 |
| Fulham v Bournemouth | 3-1 | 2-1 | 1-2 |
| Liverpool v Burnley | 3-1 | 4-0 | 3-0 |
| Luton v Sheff Utd | 1-3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Tottenham v Brighton | 2-1 | 3-2 | 2-1 |
| Wolves v Brentford | 0-2 | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| Nott’m Forest v Newcastle | 2-3 | 2-2 | 0-2 |
| SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY | |||
| West Ham v Arsenal | x-x | 0-2 | 2-1 |
| Aston Villa v Man Utd | x-x | 2-1 | 1-0 |
| MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY | |||
| Crystal Palace v Chelsea | x-x | 0-1 | 1-1 |
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
SUTTON’S PREDICTIONS
All matches kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.
SATURDAY, 10 FEBRUARY
Man City 2-0 Everton
Manchester City are going to take some stopping now, but they do need Erling Haaland to find his shooting boots.
Everything is going to click for him again soon, though, it is just a question of when.
We know what the Everton approach will be, which is to try to hang on in there and counter-attack, and try to threaten from set-pieces like they did against Tottenham last week.
I know from having Kyle Walker in my Fantasy Football team that City seem to concede every week – they have only kept one clean sheet in the league since the end of September – but I reckon it will be a different story on Saturday. City should win comfortably.
Everton are still in the bottom three and need to pick up some points soon but that is something that is far more likely in their next three games – against Crystal Palace, Brighton and West Ham – than in this one.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
Stephen’s prediction: [TV executive and comedian] Jimmy Mulville is an old mate and is a big Evertonian so I went to see Everton with him a lot last season when we were filming Sexy Beast in Liverpool, and they were having a terrible time. I think they are going to be all right this year but they are not getting anything here, it’s going to be a City win.
I was just looking at the City team and, when they are firing, their squad is so absurdly good. Their forward players all offer something different and one of the things I wish Gareth Southgate would do more for England is play Phil Foden and Jack Grealish together. I find it baffling that it doesn’t happen. City do leak goals, and their players are never near the top of the defensive rankings in Fantasy Football, but they should keep Everton out. 3-0
Fulham 3-1 Bournemouth
Fulham should have beaten Burnley last week but let a two-goal lead slip late on. Bournemouth also had to settle for a point, and I was a bit surprised that they were held by Nottingham Forest.
This is going to be close but while Fulham have been poor on the road all season, their home form has been decent and I can see that continuing.
I have been impressed by Bournemouth in the past few weeks and it looks like they are going to stay up pretty comfortably, so I don’t know why I am going against them – it is just a gut feeling.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Stephen’s prediction: This is almost like a mid-table six-pointer. These sides are 12th and 13th in the table and both of them have taken five points from their past five league games, so they are in similar form. There is something about Bournemouth, though, that makes me think they are putting something together, so I am going with them here. Dominic Solanke is doing so well and he can help them edge this. 1-2
Liverpool 3-1 Burnley
I was surprised by how poor Liverpool were against Arsenal, because I’d covered their game against Chelsea a few days earlier when they were absolutely flying.
Reds midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is out for a month, which is a blow for Jurgen Klopp’s side but, even so, I still cannot make a case for a Burnley win – I’ve thought they were going to be relegated for a long time.
Liverpool cannot afford to slip up, and I don’t think they will. They know what is at stake with Jurgen Klopp leaving at the end of the season.
I don’t know if Darwin Nunez will be fit enough to start but even if he isn’t I am expecting Liverpool to overwhelm Burnley.
Goalkeeper James Trafford did really well to keep the Clarets in the game at Turf Moor in December but Liverpool should wrap up the points a lot earlier, and much easier, this time.
Sutton’s prediction: 4-0
Stephen’s prediction: I am a big fan of Vincent Kompany but this is a tough game for his Burnley side. I felt after watching Liverpool against Chelsea that Nunez is about to catch fire. They made some defensive mistakes against Arsenal but when their forward players are on form, it’s hard to stop them. 3-0
Luton 1-3 Sheffield United
I am not going to back against Luton any longer – although that will probably jinx them now.
They beat Sheffield United at Bramall Lane a few weeks ago, although they were a little fortunate to see the Blades score two late own goals.
I love what Luton boss Rob Edwards has done, and he has proved me wrong, but he has still got work to do to keep them in the Premier League.
All season, the Hatters have not been a team who have just sat in and I am expecting them to go after the Blades here.
As for Sheffield United, well how can you make a case for them to stay up after they were humiliated by Aston Villa last week? I have got a lot of time for their manager, Chris Wilder, but I think this is going to end up being another defeat.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Stephen’s prediction: I’ve always really rated Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend and they have both fitted into the really cohesive way of playing that Luton have got. I think Luton are going to stay up, but it’s a different story for Sheffield United. They have had their moments in recent weeks but they have not been picking up points and I don’t see them getting anything here either. 2-1
Tottenham 2-1 Brighton
Son Heung-min is back, or at least he was due to train with Tottenham on Thursday after South Korea’s Asian Cup exit. If he plays in this game, it will be a huge lift for Spurs.
Richarlison cannot stop scoring and James Maddison is just starting to find some rhythm with Tottenham too, but the problem I have with predicting this game is I just don’t know which Brighton team is going to turn up.
Roberto de Zerbi’s side were comfortable winners in the reverse fixture at Amex Stadium earlier in the season but they have been very inconsistent of late.
Will we see the Seagulls side who lost 4-0 at Luton, or the one that recovered and demolished Crystal Palace a week later?
I cannot see how this game won’t be high scoring and I am tempted to go for a draw, but I am going to say Spurs will find a way to nick the points and just about stay in the title race.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-2
Stephen’s prediction: Both teams are great to watch and this should be a really exciting game. I think Brighton have definitely been helped by getting Pervis Estupinan back from injury, although they are definitely missing Kaoru Mitoma – along with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, he seems to be in the Fantasy team of everyone I know. Richarlison has suddenly gone on this amazing scoring run, though, and I have got Spurs winning this one. 2-1
Wolves 0-2 Brentford
Brentford have lost eight of their past nine league games and are in a bit of bother – they badly need a positive result here.
Yoane Wissa should be back for the Bees soon after DR Congo lost in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, and that will help.
But how can I not back Wolves here, with the form they are in, and with Pedro Neto looking so dangerous? Gary O’Neil’s side won the reverse fixture 4-1 in December and I don’t see Brentford getting their revenge on Saturday.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Stephen’s prediction: Wolves have surprised a few people recently, and it seems to keep happening. I really like Brentford boss Thomas Frank, because he tells it how it is, but I am not sure what has happened to his team. They have suffered some bad defeats recently. 1-0
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Newcastle
I really don’t know how to judge Newcastle at the moment, good or bad. They got such an impressive result away from home against Aston Villa but ended up having to fight back for a point at home to Luton a few days later.
Eddie Howe’s side are conceding a lot of goals – including when Chris Wood scored a hat-trick for Nottingham Forest against them at St James’ Park a few weeks ago – and they are another team where I just don’t know what we are going to get.
Forest needed penalties to get past Bristol City in the FA Cup this week and they are still waiting for their first win of 2024. The obvious result here is a draw, so I am going to go with that.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
Stephen’s prediction: Newcastle are going through a very weird run of results, where it seems like anything could happen, but they should have too much for Forest. I was expecting big things from Forest defender Neco Williams this season but he’s only recently got back into their team. 0-2
SUNDAY, 11 FEBRUARY
West Ham v Arsenal (14:00)
West Ham beat Arsenal at the Emirates at the end of December, when the Gunners huffed and puffed but just could not score.
The Hammers will have exactly the same approach at home, looking to sit in and counter, and using their threat at set-pieces too.
This time, though, I think Arsenal will find a way through – and carry on their celebrations.
Mikel Arteta’s side will have a point to prove after what happened last time against West Ham, but their motivation here is more about the fact they have just put themselves in the thick of the title race, and they cannot afford to slip up.
West Ham last did the double over the Gunners in the 2006-07 season, and I think they will have to wait a bit longer to do it again.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
Stephen’s prediction: I made some notes about this one, but all I put was “Arsenal are building and we are flat”. We are playing Jarrod Bowen as our centre-forward. I like Bowen, but he’s not a centre-forward. We are really strong in defence and midfield, but we have been crying out for a new striker and I can’t believe we didn’t bring one in in January.
So, at first, I just didn’t see us doing it again after we beat them last time. Arteta is excellent and their win last weekend will have really lifted them. Again, though, they have got no-one up front and, the more I think about this, the more I have talked myself into backing us.
When I was a kid and used to go, things were quite chippy for Tottenham but Chelsea was always the game we really wanted to win. It wasn’t quite the same for Arsenal, but there is still always an edge to this game, and it is a fun one, which adds a bit of magic dust. It is going to be a really tight game and I am going to go for a 2-2 draw… although if Mohammed Kudus is fit and our boys in midfield start playing we can hurt them.
You know what David Moyes is going to do, he is going to try to keep them out for 40 minutes then try to nick one just before the break, and then defend for the next 45 minutes. Who knows, we could win it… oh, go on then, let’s go with that. I’ve got to do it, haven’t I! 2-1
Stephen on Hammers boss David Moyes: I’ve got a WhatsApp chat with all my old mates where they are incandescent about Moyes, and it is so funny to read. Look, when we play well, when we get it right, it is kind of unbelievable to watch – when we play cohesively and we have got our first-choice back four, they are just impregnable, and when the midfield are back with them, playing like Moyes wants them to play, then nothing gets past us and we are going to win that game – we saw it when we beat Arsenal before Christmas.
I don’t like us playing like that, but I was watching it thinking we were amazing. When it works it is unbelievable, but the problem is as soon as we let a goal in, we are in trouble. We are going to lose. Because as soon as the seven at the back have leaked a goal, we then have to move forward to try to get back in the game. We do that, and we leak another goal… and then we really are finished.
So my big beef, really, is that Moyes sets ups too defensively. Americans don’t get this when I say it, and some English fans don’t agree with me either, but I would rather lose playing great, and maybe taking a few risks, than win being terrible to watch and super defensive. I would rather be at the bottom, just above the relegation zone, playing with flair, than being around the top six, playing like this. I want to watch exciting football and although Moyes has got us to sixth place, which is just unbelievable, it is just not how I want my team to play. It is time for a change.
Aston Villa v Man Utd (16:30)
Manchester United impressed me in their win over West Ham with the control they had of that game – we have not seen that from them very often recently.
People are saying they are getting back to their best form and when Erik ten Hag spoke afterwards, he was as upbeat as I’ve heard him be all season.
Rasmus Hojlund is one of the reasons Ten Hag is so positive. He played well, and again took his goal well.
This is a very different test, however, even if Aston Villa have lost their past two home games, firstly against Newcastle and then to Chelsea in the FA Cup.
Villa are not out of the title race yet and I am backing them to respond. While I think Manchester United will score, Lisandro Martinez’s injury is a big loss for them at the back.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Stephen’s prediction: This is a weird one, and I found it hard to call. United’s midfield is fantastic and, going forward, they are looking good but Villa have been so good at home in the league that I had to back them. I feel like they will get at United’s defence. 1-0
MONDAY, 12 FEBRUARY
Crystal Palace v Chelsea (20:00)
Well, Chelsea are back on form after their FA Cup win over Villa – so this is a nailed-on Crystal Palace win.
Being serious, though, I am worried about Palace, especially with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze’s ongoing injury issues, and I am making this prediction on the basis they will both be missing.
Although Chelsea remain a very odd side and we don’t know what kind of performance we will get from them, I can see them keeping a clean sheet and they have got enough firepower to nick a goal from somewhere.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Stephen’s prediction: Palace are all over the shop but Chelsea’s inconsistency is on a different level and they just can’t put a run of performances together. If Olise and Eze were fit I’d be more likely to back Palace but without them it is very hard to think they will win. 1-1
How did Sutton do last time?
Sutton got seven correct results from 10 games in week 23, including two exact scores, for a total of 130 points.
He beat Ski Sunday presenter Ed Leigh, who got five correct results with no exact scores, leaving him with 50 points.
| Anthony Joshua | 150 |
| Eddie Hearn | 130 |
| CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson | 120 |
| Barry Can’t Swim | 110 |
| Anish Kumar | 100 |
| Fabian Edwards, Joelah from 1Xtra, KSI, Midas the Jagaban | 90 |
| Chris Sutton | 85 (average after 23 weeks) |
| ‘Hollywood’ Chris Dobey, David Earl, Keke from 1Xtra, Jazzie Zonzolo | 70 |
| Tommy Fury, Joe from Nothing But Thieves | 60 |
| Gabe of Jamie Johnson FC, Ed Leigh, Tash from The Football Academy, Matthew Vaughn, Rick Witter | 50 |
| AEW wrestler Claudio Castagnoli. Tom Ogden and Joe Donovan from Blossoms, Declan McKenna, JayO | 40 |
| Vigil star Dougray Scott | 30 |
| Willie J Healey, Felix White | 20 |
| Suggs, Future Islands frontman Samuel T Herring | 10 |
| Chris Sutton | 1,960 |
| Guests | 1,520 |
How did you get on?
You came very close to getting Fulham’s draw with Burnley right – the vote results show a tie, with 39% going for the correct outcome and also a Fulham win. But a closer look showed that, from more than 34,000 votes, 60 more people went with Marco Silva’s side, meaning you got that one wrong.
Arsenal’s win over Liverpool also caught you out – only 26% of you backed the Gunners.
| 1. Chris | 7/10 |
| 2. Guest | 5/10 |
| 3. You | 4/10 |
*Win, draw, loss prediction based on highest % of vote for each match.
| 1. You | 125/228 |
| 2. Chris | 121/228 |
| 3. Guests | 108/228 |
