The 197th Manchester derby takes place at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, however will it’s the Blues or the Reds who declare the factors – and native bragging rights?
“That is so exhausting to name, for a lot of causes,” stated BBC Sport soccer knowledgeable Chris Sutton.
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“Manchester United may very well be buoyed by their win over Burnley earlier than the worldwide break, however I even have greater doubts about what we are going to see from Manchester Metropolis after seeing them capitulate the best way they did in opposition to Brighton.”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League video games this season, in opposition to AI, BBC Sport readers and quite a lot of company.
For week 4, he takes on Solely The Poets frontman Tommy Longhurst.
The Studying band once they play the O2 Academy Brixton, in February 2026. The gig takes place a couple of days after the discharge of their debut album, And I might Do It Once more.
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Do you agree with their scores? You can also make your individual predictions beneath.
The preferred scoreline chosen for every sport is used within the scoreboards and tables on the backside of this web page.
An accurate outcome (choosing a win, draw or defeat) is price 10 factors. The precise rating earns 40 factors.
Longhurst is from Studying and grew up supporting his hometown workforce. Though they haven’t been within the Premier League since 2013, he has fond reminiscences of the Royals’ time within the prime flight.
He instructed BBC Sport: “Individuals like Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita had been my heroes, however there are hundreds from that point – Shane Lengthy, Noel and Stephen Hunt, Dave Kitson – the checklist goes on and on!
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“When had been had been within the Premier League, that was clearly a very particular time. We got here eighth in our first season, 2007-08, and virtually made it into Europe. That entire workforce was superb.”
Studying have been in League One since 2023 however with Longhurst feels the membership is on track – even when a return to the glory days appears like a distant dream.
“If we may get again to the Premier League once more in my lifetime, that will be unbelievable,” he added.
“In the intervening time the workforce is in a rebuild, however with our stadium, our Class One academy and our coaching floor, the infrastructure is unquestionably there for promotion. So, I might like to suppose we are able to get again within the Championship in a few years – that is the primary intention anyway.”
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Chris Sutton and Tommy Longhurst had been talking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions had been generated utilizing Microsoft Copilot Chat – we merely requested the software to ‘predict this weekend’s Premier League scores’.
Premier League predictionsSaturday, 13 September
Emirates Stadium, 12:30 BST
I’m not anticipating an excessive change from Nottingham Forest in Ange Postecoglou’s first sport in cost.
Certain, he’ll tweak issues, and he has bought his ideas the place he likes to play attacking soccer, however I am unable to think about him moving into with a excessive line of defense in his first sport, particularly in opposition to Arsenal.
A return to north London is just about as powerful a begin as he may get, despite the fact that Arsenal have a couple of accidents with Bukayo Saka, William Saliba and Kai Havertz dominated out.
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There may be a lot expertise within the Arsenal squad now that they’re nonetheless so harmful – Noni Madueke was glorious for England in opposition to Serbia, and he will probably be stuffed with confidence after that show.
This could be one other sport the place Arsenal need to grind a outcome out, however they are going to discover a manner of profitable it.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Tommy’s prediction: Arsenal are already wanting stable, straight out of the gates. 2-0
AI’s prediction: 3-1
Vitality Stadium, 15:00 BST
Each these groups had actually good wins earlier than the worldwide break.
Bournemouth solely beat Tottenham 1-0 however they completely hammered them, and will and may have scored extra objectives.
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Brighton’s victory over Manchester Metropolis was totally different in that they nicked the factors late on – Erling Haaland was my Fantasy Premier League captain and he may have had a hat-trick for Pep Guardiola’s aspect – however that was nonetheless a formidable outcome.
After I did my analysis for these predictions, I used to be a little bit shocked that the Seagulls did the double over the Cherries final season, profitable 2-1 dwelling and away.
I do not suppose Bournemouth will find yourself empty handed this time, although. I’m going for a draw – an thrilling one, not a boring one – on the south coast.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tommy’s prediction: Antoine Semenyo appears to be like so harmful, and I fancy Bournemouth at dwelling. 3-1
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AI’s prediction: 2-2
It was big for Crystal Palace to maintain maintain of defender Marc Guehi, regardless of Liverpool’s efforts to signal him on deadline day.
Truthful play to Guehi for the best way he carried out himself by means of that switch saga – I’ve a number of admiration for him.
I ought to have gone with the Eagles to beat Aston Villa final outing due to their latest outcomes in opposition to Unai Emery’s aspect – they performed them 4 occasions final season, profitable three and drawing the opposite.
I’m not going to make the identical mistake this time. Palace are lacking the injured Adam Wharton and Ismaila Sarr however their boss Oliver Glasner has a knack of creating his aspect extraordinarily efficient regardless of who’s lacking.
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Sunderland have performed brilliantly to win their first two dwelling video games and I can see them making this fairly tight, however I feel they must wait a bit longer for his or her first level on the highway.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Tommy’s prediction: Glasner has performed an unbelievable job at Palace. 2-0
AI’s prediction: 2-0
Hill Dickinson Stadium, 15:00 BST
What a terrific sport that is for Jack Grealish in opposition to his previous membership.
He has been on fireplace for Everton since becoming a member of them from Manchester Metropolis, and it is nice to see him enjoying with a smile on his face. He has been the true artistic spark for them this season and if he carries on this manner he will probably be properly and really within the combine to make the England squad for subsequent summer season’s World Cup.
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A lot has modified about Everton since David Moyes misplaced his first sport again in cost in opposition to Villa, and never simply that they now have a brand new floor.
You simply sense that, with Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye, they’ve the attacking risk now that that they had lacked for a very long time. They are going to be stuffed with perception, in opposition to an Aston Villa aspect who badly want a constructive outcome after their sluggish begin to the brand new marketing campaign.
The plain prediction, primarily based on type, is to again Everton to win however I truly do not suppose Villa will carry on shedding.
They’re under-performing and in addition perhaps purchased a couple of gamers in a little bit of panic on the finish of the switch window – Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott and Victor Lindelof all joined on deadline day – however Emery will get a tune out of his workforce ultimately.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tommy’s prediction: I can see this being fairly cagey. 1-0
AI’s prediction: 1-0
Craven Cottage, 15:00 BST
For as soon as, I’m very assured I’ll get this prediction proper.
Leeds would possibly fancy their possibilities at Craven Cottage however you solely have to have a look at their respective squads to see the distinction in high quality between the 2 sides, participant for participant, together with on the bench.
Fulham didn’t have a lot luck with the selections that went in opposition to them of their defeat by Chelsea final outing, however they had been in a position to deliver on Adama Traore, Emile Smith-Rowe, Raul Jimenez and Harry Wilson as they chased that sport.
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Leeds simply do not have that type of depth and so they had been properly crushed on their final journey to London, a 5-0 defeat at Arsenal a few weeks in the past.
This will probably be nearer, however with the identical finish outcome.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Tommy’s prediction: That is the one draw I’ve gone for. I simply have a sense Leeds will get one thing. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
St James’ Park, 15:00 BST
Each of those groups are nonetheless with out a win to date, though Wolves are the one Premier League membership with out a level on the board.
Newcastle have drawn twice and solely misplaced very late on in opposition to Liverpool, so their type is hardly trigger for concern.
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They’ll transfer on now the Alexander Isak switch saga is over, though that is our first take a look at their new assault.
We must wait and see how match and prepared Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa are, or how they settle in, however I nonetheless suppose Newcastle can have an excessive amount of for a Wolves workforce who’re leaking too many objectives.
No less than Wolves do carry a risk going ahead – particularly in Jorgen Strand Larsen, who Newcastle tried to signal final month.
It might be typical if he went to St James’ Park and scored the winner, however I do not see that taking place.
Sutton’s prediction: 3-1
Tommy’s prediction: Wolves’ dangerous begin goes to proceed. 3-0
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AI’s prediction: 3-1
London Stadium, 17:30 BST
For West Ham to go to Nottingham Forest and win 3-0 was an unbelievable outcome – I by no means noticed that coming, so honest play to these of you who did [Out of more than 54,000 predictions by BBC readers, only 1,435 backed the Hammers to win and just 53 of you got the exact scoreline].
Now it’s about Graham Potter’s aspect backing it up, however I do not suppose they are going to. I by no means actually fancy West Ham at dwelling the identical manner I do with different groups as a result of their followers all the time appear edgy at London Stadium.
Tottenham have a degree to show too after their shock dwelling defeat by Bournemouth. I did not suppose that will occur both, however Thomas Frank’s groups are normally so well-balanced and I’m anticipating them to bounce again.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Tommy’s prediction: Frank’s Tottenham are wanting so significantly better. 1-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Gtech Group Stadium, 20:00 BST
There was such a loopy end to that the Bees should nonetheless be questioning how they misplaced.
I might been very assured that Keith Andrews’ aspect would go to the Stadium of Gentle and win after watching them beat Aston Villa the earlier week – a outcome they completely deserved.
I’ve to watch out with this prediction, although. At this stage of the season I can get hoodwinked a bit as a result of I’ve lined some groups once they have performed properly, and it means I overlook a few of their opposition’s qualities.
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Chelsea have some incredible gamers and have made an honest begin to the season in order that they need to be favourites right here. However I’m going to stay with my instincts and say Brentford will give them an excellent sport too.
Actually, the extra I give it some thought, the extra this smells like a west London derby draw. The factors have been shared on this fixture in every of the previous three seasons, so let’s go for 4 attracts in a row.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tommy’s prediction: I do not see Brentford conserving Chelsea out. 1-3
AI’s prediction: 0-2
Sunday, 14 September
The large query is will Isak begin this sport now he’s lastly a Liverpool participant? I’ll reply that straightaway – no, so do not get him in your Fantasy groups simply but.
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Isak will probably be introduced off the bench for his Reds debut sooner or later, however I do not suppose it is going to be a case the place Liverpool will want him to alter the sport.
Burnley will probably be seeking to hold them quiet and in addition carry a risk. They gave Manchester United an excellent sport final outing, however stopping Liverpool is a a lot greater take a look at.
Arne Slot’s aspect have probably not bought going but this season, however they’re nonetheless prime and have gained three out of three league video games.
That is a terrific signal for them, and ominous for his or her rivals – I all the time felt once I was a participant that if we gained with out enjoying properly, you knew there’s extra to return. It is the identical with Liverpool for the time being.
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Sutton’s prediction: 0-3
Tommy’s prediction: I simply suppose that is going to be so one-sided. 0-4
AI’s prediction: 0-3
Etihad Stadium, 16:30 BST
I can see Bryan Mbeumo hurting Metropolis, with United counter-attacking and him being a thorn of their backline chasing balls in behind. I’m additionally not as satisfied by Metropolis if James Trafford retains his place in aim.
So, I feel United will certainly rating, however I nonetheless can’t go in opposition to Metropolis at Etihad Stadium as a result of we all know they are going to create possibilities there.
It’s a large week for them, with Napoli visiting within the Champions League on Thursday earlier than they head to Arsenal subsequent weekend, and naturally persons are going to evaluate them on these outcomes. After shedding two of their first three league video games, this week may resolve if they’re within the title race, or if they’re dominated out of it.
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I do not wish to hold mentioning the goalkeeper however Metropolis’s possibilities of getting the outcomes they want will certainly be improved if new signing Gianluigi Donnarumma is in aim as a result of proper now they want an enormous presence there, and Trafford would not give them that.
The identical place is a large name for United boss Ruben Amorim on Sunday too, however in a very totally different manner.
United signed Senne Lammens forward of Villa’s Emi Martinez, who has positively bought the type of presence that brings confidence to his defence the identical manner Donnarumma does.
We all know Lammens has bought these however there’s far more to being Manchester United’s goalkeeper than that. As Rory Smith mainly stated on the Monday Evening Membership, they do not depend for a lot anyway, as a result of he has been enjoying within the Belgian league and they’re garbage at taking pictures.
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Joking apart, what we do not know for the time being is far about Lammens’ character or how he’ll adapt to the Premier League.
Is he able to be United’s keeper or not? If Amorim picks Altay Bayindir over him in opposition to Metropolis, then persons are going to scrutinise that call and ask why on earth he did not put Lammens in immediately if he charges him so extremely.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Tommy’s prediction: Metropolis are leaky, however so are United. 3-2
AI’s prediction: 2-2
How did Sutton do final time?
Sutton’s personal profitable begin to the season ended within the final set of fixtures earlier than the worldwide break.
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Chris bought three appropriate outcomes with no precise scores from the ten video games performed in week three, giving him 30 factors.
He nonetheless bought the higher of AI – it bought two appropriate outcomes with no precise scores for a complete of 20 factors – however he was crushed by the BBC readers and his visitor, actor Orlando Bloom.
The BBC readers bought off to a superb begin with a precise rating from the primary sport performed that weekend, Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Fulham, however you bought each different outcome incorrect, leaving you with 40 factors.
So, the weekly win went to Bloom, who bought 5 appropriate outcomes with no precise scores, for a complete of fifty factors.
Weekly wins, ties and complete factors after week three. . .
Visitor leaderboard 2025-26. . * Common after three weeks.