Arsenal are sitting prime of the Premier League at Christmas, however it’s BBC Sport soccer professional Chris Sutton who leads the way in which on the subject of predictions.
“I am primary at Christmas – once more,” stated Sutton, who as a participant led the Premier League desk at this level with Norwich in 1992 and Blackburn in 1994, and went on to win the title with Rovers.
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“It is a huge deal for me to be prime, in addition to for Arsenal.
“AI is the go-to for just about everybody on the planet every time they should ask something, so the truth that I’m beating it – and let’s face it, I’ve stuffed it for half a season now – is fairly unimaginable. It says loads about me, and I am delighted.
“Fairly than asking AI about all the things, perhaps individuals ought to come to me to faucet into my intelligence as an alternative?”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League video games this season, towards AI, BBC Sport readers and a wide range of friends.
For week 18 – the festive fixtures on Boxing Day and the weekend of 27 and 28 December – he takes on Jonny Stewart, bass singer with sea shanty folks supergroup The Wellermen, who’s a Newcastle fan.
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The Wellermen have been the originators of the ocean shanty development on TikTok, with their variations of Misty Mountain, Nancy Mulligan and Hoist the Colors racking up billions of views.
Do you agree with their scores? You may make your personal predictions under.
The preferred scoreline chosen for every recreation is used within the scoreboards and tables on the backside of this web page.
An accurate consequence (choosing a win, draw or defeat) is price 10 factors. The precise rating earns 40 factors.
A few of Jonny’s earliest reminiscences as a fan have been the FA Cup finals that Newcastle misplaced in 1998 and 1999, however he was lastly in a position to have a good time a trophy when the Magpies gained the Carabao Cup in March.
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“We have been really on tour in Colorado on the time – we had simply carried out a present in Boulder and we had one in Denver the following day,” he instructed BBC Sport.
“I used to be frantically Googling the place I might watch the sport just a few weeks earlier than, after we’d reached the ultimate, and whether or not I might discover anybody to observe it with me – as a result of on Mountain Time it kicked off round 10am.
“I linked with the Mile Excessive Magpies, the Denver space supporters’ membership, they usually stated to return alongside to this bar. There have been a few Liverpool followers in there however greater than 100 Newcastle followers have been crammed into it. It was sensible.
“I would purchased a Dan Burn Carabao Cup closing shirt within the run-up to the sport as a result of I assumed, if we win, it’s going to imply a lot having the last word native lad on the again of my jersey.
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“So, when Large Dan scored top-of-the-line headers I’ve ever seen to place us 1-0 up, I cried so exhausting.
“Being away from dwelling, and away from my greatest mate Angus, who I would normally watch our video games with, was exhausting – he was Facetiming me from this pub in Chelmsford which had about two individuals in, so I would discovered a significantly better place.
“After which I noticed us completely outplay the perfect workforce within the league, and finish our trophy drought. It actually would not get significantly better than that.”
Chris Sutton and Jonny Stewart have been chatting with BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions have been generated utilizing Microsoft Copilot Chat – we merely requested the software to ‘predict this weekend’s Premier League scores’.
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Premier League predictionsFriday, 26 December
Manchester United received a little bit of reward for his or her efficiency towards Aston Villa, despite the fact that they have been crushed.
The important thing to how this recreation goes is what they do with out Bruno Fernandes, and
You go searching Ruben Amorim’s squad and he doesn’t appear to have plenty of leaders in there.
Will probably be fascinating to see if Amorim performs centre-back Lisandro Martinez in that holding midfield position, the identical job he did when he got here on for Fernandes towards Villa, as a result of he might present that management they are going to want.
Newcastle United will probably be completely sick that they let a two-goal lead slip towards Chelsea final week, whereas their away file has plenty of room for enchancment – they’ve gained solely considered one of their eight away league video games up to now.
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Manchester United are three factors and 4 locations above them within the desk, however they’re lacking just a few gamers on the Africa Cup of Nations and, in my thoughts, Newcastle United have the higher squad anyway.
Due to that, I’m going to again Eddie Howe’s facet right here. There will not be many targets, although, they usually might solely want to attain one to win it.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Jonny’s prediction: Manchester United blow cold and warm – they’re able to enjoying some very nice soccer however I do not know the place their targets will come from with out Bryan Mbeumo or Bruno Fernandes. That is genuinely actually exhausting for me to name however I’m going with my coronary heart over my head – I’ve to! 1-2
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AI’s prediction: 2-2
Saturday, 27 December
Nottingham Forest are nonetheless lingering simply above the relegation locations, and Monday’s defeat at Fulham was a disappointing consequence for them.
I nonetheless assume Sean Dyche’s facet are going to be positive, nonetheless, they usually have undoubtedly made strides since he took cost on the finish of October.
This can be a difficult recreation for Manchester Metropolis however they’re on a little bit of a roll in the intervening time.
I assumed Arsenal have been going to run away with the title, however not any extra.
Metropolis are getting higher and higher because the season goes on, and I can perceive why Pep Guardiola feels there’s much more to return from his facet.
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Rayan Cherki and Phil Foden are each flying, they’re creating stacks of probabilities for Erling Haaland and, on the different finish, they’re protecting clear sheets now too.
You simply cannot again towards them in the intervening time, and I’m anticipating extra moments of high quality like we noticed after they gained 3-0 at Crystal Palace a few weeks in the past.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
Jonny’s prediction: Metropolis are hitting a very good run of type on the proper time. In addition to Pep’s tactical sophistication, I’m loving seeing a aptitude participant like Cherki get to impose his will on video games. Foden is filling that David Silva position he was all the time earmarked for, too. 0-3
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AI’s prediction: 1-3
Persons are saying that Arsenal are wobbling however I believe they’ve had their wobble, actually, after they scraped previous Wolves.
The Gunners gained 1-0 at Everton final day out, and it was a little bit of a battle, however they have been up towards a David Moyes facet so I did not count on anything.
My solely criticism of Arsenal in the intervening time is that Viktor Gyokeres should not be taking their penalties – Bukayo Saka ought to, as a result of he’s in my Fantasy workforce. It actually aggravated me to see Gyokeres scoring from the spot towards the Toffees.
It will not be simple for them towards Brighton, however I nonetheless assume they need to win this one.
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The Seagulls are such an odd workforce, and they’re extraordinarily tough to foretell.
They haven’t gained any of their previous 4 video games however they pushed Liverpool all the way in which after I watched them at Anfield just lately, and I believe they are going to do the identical right here.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Jonny’s prediction: Manchester Metropolis have minimize Arsenal’s lead fairly dramatically and they’re most likely trying over their shoulders a bit. Needing two personal targets to beat Wolves, one of many worst Premier League groups of all time, says loads about the place they’re in the intervening time.
Even so, I nonetheless assume Arteta’s facet have most likely received an excessive amount of within the tank for the Seagulls, despite the fact that they’ve ex-Gunners star Danny Welbeck main their assault. 2-1
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AI’s prediction: 2-1
Gtech Group Stadium, 15:00
Brentford picked up their first away win of the season towards Wolves final day out, and their dwelling type is actually robust, though Leeds held them of their most up-to-date recreation there.
I really feel like this recreation has received targets in it, as a result of Bournemouth appear to attain and concede loads.
The Cherries have drawn their previous three video games, and I’ve a sense that is one may also find yourself with the factors being shared.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-2
Jonny’s prediction: Brentford are loads like Newcastle in that their dwelling type is so robust, whereas their away outcomes have been fairly poor.
So, this isn’t a straightforward recreation for the Cherries in any respect – apologies to their followers as a result of, regardless of spending a few years dwelling within the Bournemouth space, I do not see them returning to successful methods right here. 2-0
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AI’s prediction: 1-2
Burnley received a late objective that earned them some extent at Bournemouth, which felt huge for his or her boss Scott Parker – it felt like just a few Clarets followers have been questioning whether or not he’s the person to maintain them within the Premier League.
As I’ve stated earlier than, I’ve all the time felt like Burnley have been being aggressive, even after they have been dropping video games.
That is going to be a detailed recreation, too. Everton’s downside is that they’re lacking Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, they usually may need to accept some extent.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Jonny’s prediction: Scott Parker’s groups appear to do extremely properly within the Championship, then battle a bit after they get to the Premier League.
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Everton have been on a very good run earlier than they misplaced to Chelsea and Arsenal and I’m backing them right here, even with Ndiaye on the Africa Cup of Nations and Dewsbury-Corridor injured. 0-1
AI’s prediction: 0-1
Poor previous Alexander Isak. His type has been terrible all season following his transfer from Newcastle, and now he’s
I do not assume Liverpool are going to battle with Hugo Ekitike main the road, nonetheless. Sure, they’re additionally lacking Mohamed Salah whereas he’s with Egypt at Afcon, however Ekitike is having an exceptional season.
Dominik Szoboszlai is out for Liverpool too, after choosing up his fifth reserving of the season towards Spurs.
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Perhaps it’s time for Florian Wirtz to actually come to the fore for Arne Slot’s facet.
Wolves did rather well to carry out for therefore lengthy at Arsenal just lately, and that sort of backs-against-the-wall defending appears to swimsuit them.
They may attempt to make issues awkward for Liverpool too, however I do not see it understanding for them.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Jonny’s prediction: Hugo Ekitike has received sensible confidence, can do a little bit of all the things and appears to combine rather well with the workforce. Liverpool additionally spent £125m on somebody who was a bench striker earlier than he received injured.
Although they haven’t had the season they might have favored, Arne Slot’s facet are going to have an excessive amount of for Wolves who, when it comes to dangerous groups prior to now few years, are proper up there as one of many worst. I do not know who they’ll beat this season. 3-0
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AI’s prediction: 3-1
West Ham actually need a win right here. They’re staring down the barrel of relegation after taking solely two factors from their previous 5 video games.
Nuno Espirito Santo received a little bit of a bounce at the beginning of November however they haven’t maintained that type.
There doesn’t appear to be a lot Christmas cheer at London Stadium in the intervening time and in the event that they get off to a nasty begin right here, issues might flip fairly rapidly.
Fulham received an necessary win over Nottingham Forest on Monday, which was sufficient for them to maintain their heads above water within the relegation battle.
They all the time appear to pose a objective risk, and I’ve a sense they are going to have one thing to have a good time right here, too.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Jonny’s prediction: Fulham are usually sneaky good – I all the time underrate them, after which they find yourself delivering actually good workforce performances, and I really like watching Kevin as a result of – in addition to aptitude – he has an finish product too.
West Ham usually are not having a good time of it proper now however they are going to be up for it they usually actually need one thing right here. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
I couldn’t imagine that Aston Villa have been getting criticism on the Monday Evening Membership as a result of they’re solely successful video games by the odd objective.
I made the purpose that I do not bear in mind going within the dressing room as a participant and being down about solely successful 2-1.
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They’re on an unimaginable run of 10 wins on the spin, together with beating Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis. Morgan Rogers is on hearth, and I believe you need to respect them as title contenders.
This can be a actual take a look at for them, nonetheless, and it’s only some weeks since we have been saying the identical about Chelsea being within the title race after they drew towards Arsenal with 10 males.
I performed for each these golf equipment and am extremely considered by each units of followers.
It’s the Chelsea followers who I believe will probably be smiling at full-time, although, as soon as they’ve completed singing my identify.
I’ve received plenty of time for Blues boss Enzo Maresca, who’s like Villa supervisor Unai Emery in the way in which he sticks to his footballing rules.
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Chelsea confirmed their resilience after they fought again from 2-0 down to attract with Newcastle and I can see them digging in once more right here, to finish Villa’s successful run.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Jonny’s prediction: Unai Emery’s facet did not begin the season properly however now they’ve that confidence that, even when they concede, they will rating greater than the opposition. This was a tough one to name however I’m going with Villa, most likely as a result of I need them to win fairly than as a result of I believe they are going to. 1-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Sunday, 28 December
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been completely unbelievable up entrance for Leeds.
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They’re only a significantly better workforce with him in it, and their confidence have to be sky-high in the intervening time too, as a result of they’ve had some wonderful outcomes just lately.
The fear for Sunderland is how a lot they are going to miss their gamers who’re away at Afcon, however I do not assume it’ll have an effect on them.
The Black Cats do not rating plenty of targets however they’re all the time so well-organised – I’m going for them to win, and preserve out Calvert-Lewin to maintain a clear sheet too.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Jonny’s prediction: It depresses me how good Sunderland are this season. They’ve recruited so correctly and even with dropping gamers to Afcon, the core of their workforce is actually robust.
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Leeds have picked up just lately and it is good to see Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring, however I believe Sunderland will nonetheless win this – the Tyne-Put on derby has given them a fair greater enhance in confidence, sadly. 2-1
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Each groups have gotten issues in the intervening time.
Crystal Palace have been feeling the consequences of a heavy schedule, and in the intervening time their squad appears actually stretched.
That is the primary motive I’m considering Tottenham may get one thing at Selhurst Park and, let’s face it, Thomas Frank actually must.
Frank have to be hoping the way in which his workforce performed with 9 males towards Liverpool can kick-start his facet’s season, however I am unsure that may occur.
I’m actually not going to again them to win this one, however I’m hardly assured about Palace’s probabilities both.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-0
Jonny’s prediction: Palace ought to be the stronger facet however Ismaila Sarr is an enormous loss for them whereas he’s away at Afcon, he’s so explosive.
Thomas Frank is underneath a little bit of strain at Spurs – they’re extra pragmatic, however they don’t seem to be scoring and they’re nonetheless conceding. 2-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
How did Sutton do final week?
Chris received three appropriate outcomes with one actual rating from the ten matches in week 17, giving him 60 factors.
His visitor, rapper Sampa the Nice, received eight appropriate outcomes with one actual rating, leaving her on 110 factors.
AI did even higher, with 5 appropriate outcomes, however together with three actual scores, for a tally of 140 factors.
However to the reduction of Chris, as a result of it retains him prime of the general league desk, it was the collective efforts of the BBC readers who took the weekly win.
AI was forward after Saturday’s video games, main the readers by 130 to 120, however the readers received a precise rating from Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Manchester United on Sunday – out of greater than 33,000 predictions, 31% of you went for that scoreline.
That meant the result went all the way down to the ultimate recreation of the week, between Fulham and Nottingham Forest on Monday. The readers went for a 1-1 draw whereas AI backed Fulham to win 2-1.
A precise rating for AI would have seen it seize the victory however, ultimately, Fulham’s 1-0 win meant the readers triumphed. General, they managed seven appropriate outcomes and three actual scores, and that gave them 160 factors.