Aston Villa boss Unai Emery had an sad 18-month spell in command of Arsenal that resulted in 2019, however can he get the higher of his previous membership on Tuesday?
“After the abuse he took from Arsenal followers, I would love nothing greater than Emery to return to the Emirates and win,” stated BBC Sport soccer knowledgeable Chris Sutton.
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“He completely did not deserve that. A few of these followers ought to take an extended, exhausting take a look at themselves for the way in which they mocked him. I hope Villa go there and spank them, simply due to that.”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League video games this season, towards AI, BBC Sport readers and quite a lot of company.
For week 19 – which incorporates the ultimate video games of 2025 on Tuesday, 30 December and the primary matches of 2026 on New Yr’s Day – he takes on singer-songwriter Tom A Smith, who’s a Sunderland fan.
Smith’s newest EP, Say What You Need, is out now. It reached quantity 14 within the UK report retailer charts on the finish of November.
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Do you agree with their scores? You can also make your personal predictions under.
The most well-liked scoreline chosen for every sport 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.
Smith is from Houghton-le-Spring, a city simply outdoors Sunderland, and is a lifelong Black Cats fan who’s having fun with seeing his aspect emerge as this season’s shock package deal.
“My phrase, it has simply been wonderful,” he instructed BBC Sport. “It is such an excellent time to be a Sunderland fan, and likewise to be from Sunderland.
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“I used to be saying this final season as effectively, as a result of earlier than then it had been such a very long time since I felt so excited earlier than the sport each week, the place I can’t look forward to kick-off.
“More often than not after I was rising up, it was the alternative. It was completely horrible then, but it surely couldn’t be extra completely different now.
“All it is advisable do is stroll across the metropolis, and go spherical Keel Sq., and you’ll simply really feel how a lot of a buzz there may be due to how effectively the workforce is doing. Culturally, it’s having an enormous affect on the town and everyone seems to be in such good spirits on a regular basis – in every single place is flourishing.”
Sunderland have been taking part in Smith’s songs on the Stadium of Mild since they have been nonetheless within the Championship, and he says listening to them at video games is “an unimaginable feeling”.
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“Just about most matchdays I hear my songs come on now which is wonderful,” he added.
“Again within the Championship a few years in the past I did discover that each time we received overwhelmed certainly one of my songs performed on the finish – fortunately they play it once we win now as effectively!”
Chris Sutton and Tom A Smith have been chatting with BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions have been generated utilizing Microsoft Copilot Chat – we merely requested the instrument to ‘predict this week’s Premier League scores’.
Premier League predictionsTuesday, 30 December
Burnley have drawn their previous two video games however they really want a win as a result of they’re slightly adrift on the backside, six factors from security.
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Scott Parker is beneath a little bit of stress and some of their followers have known as up 606, saying they need a change. I nonetheless suppose they’ve been aggressive, although, even when they haven’t overwhelmed anybody since 26 October.
Newcastle may do with a victory as effectively, although. They’re a wierd aspect as a result of they’ve been taking part in fairly effectively however probably not getting outcomes. I maintain backing them to win, so it’s costing me too.
I’m not going to cease, although. I’m going for a uncommon away win for Eddie Howe’s aspect – and this time they are going to maintain a clear sheet.
Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
Tom’s prediction: Burnley have picked up a few good factors over Christmas however, as powerful as it’s for me to say this, Newcastle will most likely have slightly bit an excessive amount of for them. 0-3
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AI’s prediction: 1-2
Chelsea are fifth however they’re on a sticky run in the meanwhile, with just one win in six league video games.
Once they received their draw with 10 males towards Arsenal on the finish of November, I believed they have been within the title race, however they’ve fully fallen away.
Bournemouth’s poor run of outcomes goes again even additional, nonetheless. After climbing to second place on the finish of October, they haven’t received any of their previous 9 matches.
It’s a regarding time for his or her supervisor, Andoni Iraola, as a result of this is perhaps Antoine Semenyo’s final sport for the Cherries. Perhaps dropping three of their first-choice defenders in the summertime – Dean Huijsen (to Actual Madrid), Milos Kerkez (to Liverpool), and Illia Zabarnyi (to Paris St-Germain) is catching up with them too.
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I’m not certain what goes mistaken for the Cherries as a result of they’re nonetheless so aggressive in the way in which they press and play, however they’re conceding a whole lot of targets and Brentford performed proper by means of them within the first half on the weekend.
It’s only as a result of West Ham have been so rotten that Bournemouth are nonetheless 9 factors away from the relegation zone. I nonetheless at all times suppose Iraola’s aspect will rating, however I’m backing Enzo Maresca’s aspect to win the battle of two very patchy groups.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Tom’s prediction: Bournemouth began the season so effectively and they have a extremely thrilling workforce with gamers like Semenyo. Everyone seems to be attempting to signal him in the meanwhile however when he spent just a few months on mortgage with Sunderland in League One in 2020 I need to admit I did not suppose an excessive amount of of him.
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The Cherries are struggling for type and it is a powerful sport for them. Chelsea have been a bit shaky just lately too however I would nonetheless again them to win this at Stamford Bridge. 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Everton beat Nottingham Forest comfortably firstly of December, however that was with Kiernan Dewsbury-Corridor, Iliman Ndiaye and Jack Grealish of their workforce.
It is attainable Grealish is again from a virus to play on this sport, however Dewsbury-Corridor and Ndiaye shall be a lot missed and we noticed how a lot it affected Everton’s firepower once they performed with out all three of them of their draw at Burnley.
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Forest have been excellent towards Manchester Metropolis on Saturday and can really feel they need to have gotten one thing out of that sport.
Sean Dyche was sad with Metropolis’s winner however, watching it again, you might see Morgan Gibbs-White hooked his leg round Nico O’Reilly and tried to tug him down with him, so it was good refereeing to suss that out and never give the foul to Forest.
Even so, it was a formidable Forest show. Due to that, and due to who Everton shall be lacking, I’m backing Dyche to get the higher of his previous workforce this time.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
Tom’s prediction: I have been stunned by Forest’s drop-off in type this season and it simply reveals how European soccer can have an effect on groups once they do not have a large enough squad – that is the one factor that worries me about Sunderland subsequent season once we are within the Champions League! Sorry, I am possibly getting a bit carried away there!
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Anyway, I’m backing Forest to win this one at residence. Everton have gotten a great aspect however they’ll typically battle going ahead – they want a centre-forward. 1-0
AI’s prediction: 1-1
Issues are turning uglier by the week for West Ham. They’re in an actual relegation battle now, and their boss Nuno Espirito Santo is completely determined for a win, however it’s exhausting to see the place it should come from.
Brighton are inconsistent however they’ve proven their high quality by pushing Liverpool and Arsenal shut in latest weeks. I do not see something apart from a Seagulls victory right here.
The Hammers are so low on confidence that even when it is a tight sport, you get the sensation they are going to lose it, like they did towards Fulham on Saturday.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
Tom’s prediction: If Brighton present up, they’ll beat anybody however they’re just a bit bit too inconsistent. West Ham are struggling however once more I’m going with the house workforce right here.
I do not suppose the Hammers will go down, both. They have to search out some type however, in the event that they do, they have an excessive amount of high quality for that to occur. 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-2
I like what Villa are doing. You simply maintain pondering their successful run cannot proceed, which is why I had Chelsea right down to beat them – and, once more, I used to be mistaken about that.
Villa have probably the most factors (18) from dropping positions within the Premier League this season they usually simply don’t lie down.
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We noticed that once more towards Chelsea, who pummelled them for an hour earlier than Watkins got here on to make it 11 Villa wins in a row.
It was solely this time final yr that Arsenal put a bid in for Watkins, who helps them as effectively, however he stayed at Villa and should you have been writing a script you’d have him down as getting the winner once more right here.
Even so, I simply have a sense Arsenal will discover a strategy to win this. I’m anticipating the Gunners to search out one other gear or two very quickly, however this is perhaps extra of a battle for them, that they must get by means of.
There shall be some nervy moments for Mikel Arteta’s aspect once more, that is for certain, however I reckon they are going to grasp on for the win, nearly.
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Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Tom’s prediction: Wow, what a sport that is. It’s unimaginable that Villa simply carry on successful and Morgan Rogers is such a incredible participant. Apart from somebody like Erling Haaland, if I may have any participant for Sunderland in the meanwhile, it will most likely be him.
Arsenal must maintain successful video games to carry off Metropolis, however I can see them dropping factors right here. I believe Pep Guardiola’s aspect will win the league, too. The factor with Arsenal is that they do get nervy and you’ll see them having a dip, and drawing video games like this. I do not see that with Metropolis now. 2-2
AI’s prediction: 2-0
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Plenty of Manchester United followers had a pop at me, once more, for my negativity about their workforce earlier than they performed Newcastle United.
I do know Ruben Amorim’s aspect proved me mistaken by successful that sport, however I believe these followers must admit it was a really unfavorable efficiency.
Regardless of that, I’m going to again United to win this week – so possibly that may convey some positivity again to the workforce, too. They want it.
If it have been right down to me, although, I might relegate Wolves now and simply chop them out of the league. They’re extra lambs than wolves in the meanwhile and to have solely picked up two factors from 18 video games is completely pathetic.
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They’re nonetheless scrapping to get one thing for Rob Edwards however they’re desperately poor.
Edwards has misplaced all seven of his video games since taking cost and has solely seen his aspect rating three targets. Certainly he needs he had stayed at Middlesbrough?
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Tom’s prediction: I actually battle to see Wolves choosing up any factors, whoever they play. They only lack a lot high quality and confidence too. United may have far an excessive amount of for them. 3-0
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Thursday, 1January
Crystal Palace have misplaced three league video games in a row, whereas Fulham have received three in a row.
It is not lengthy since I used to be involved Fulham might be getting dragged right into a relegation scrap, however they’re trying up the desk now and are stage on factors with Palace after transferring into the highest half.
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I watched Palace’s defeat towards Tottenham on Sunday they usually simply regarded knackered, however they nonetheless created some probabilities and have been unfortunate to not take one thing from the sport.
On type, you’d go together with Fulham once more right here however I really suppose Palace will cope with them a lot better than West Ham did.
The Eagles may do with getting a break, as in a mid-season break, however they simply want a little bit of luck in entrance of objective too and they are going to be again to successful methods.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
Tom’s prediction: Fulham are respectable and appear to remain in each sport, however I’m going with Palace right here. On their day, they’re probably the greatest sides within the league. 1-0
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AI’s prediction: 1-1
I appropriately backed Leeds to get a degree when these sides met Elland Street just a few weeks again, however that is at Anfield and, apart from that, Liverpool look much more assured now.
This can be a completely different Leeds, too, after all. They have actual perception in the meanwhile and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who has scored seven targets in six video games, goes to be exhausting to cease.
However Florian Wirtz appears to be coming to the fore for Liverpool now and they’re constructing their confidence again up.
Arne Slot’s aspect are again as much as fourth place and though if you watch them you may see they’ve nonetheless received weaknesses of their workforce, I am anticipating them to make it 4 league wins in a row right here.
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It isn’t really inconceivable that they might be again within the title race quickly, both. After this sport, Slot’s aspect journey to Fulham and Arsenal subsequent week so let’s examine the place they’re then.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
Tom’s prediction: This completed 3-3 at Elland Street and it was a tremendous sport. Leeds have discovered a system that works and Calvert-Lewin retains scoring targets, but it surely looks like Liverpool are beginning to discover a little bit of type once more at Anfield. 3-1
AI’s prediction: 3-1
Gtech Neighborhood Stadium, 20:00
Spurs have gotten one of the best away report within the Premier League once more, because of their win at Crystal Palace on Sunday that noticed them climb to eleventh place, however Brentford are completely flying at residence too.
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So, how do I name this one? Let’s be sincere, Spurs will not be a beautiful workforce to observe in the meanwhile, and they’re very stuffy and scrappy whether or not they win or not.
Their type on the street will most likely give Thomas Frank a little bit of confidence going again to his previous membership, and he’ll get a great reception there, I’m certain of that.
However Brentford have snuck as much as eighth after taking seven factors from their previous three video games, they usually will not lack perception both.
Anybody can beat anybody on this a part of the desk, which does not assist me in the case of making a prediction. I am unable to choose a winner right here, so I’m going for a draw.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tom’s prediction: I noticed Jordan Henderson make his debut for Sunderland and he deserves extra recognition. He’s up there with Granit Xhaka as one of many signings of the season, due to his affect on Brentford.
The Bees are a great aspect, particularly at residence, however Thomas Frank and Spurs want one thing right here. I do not suppose they are going to win it, although. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Metropolis didn’t have all of it their very own manner once they beat Sunderland at Etihad Stadium, however they dismantled them in the long run and they’re able to doing the identical on the Stadium of Mild.
It’s exhausting to see anybody stopping Metropolis in the meanwhile, actually. Rayan Cherki is an enormous expertise, and with such fast ft. Phil Foden virtually scored towards Forest on Saturday, and when Haaland attracts a clean, like he did in that sport, a objective shouldn’t be distant.
Nonetheless, Sunderland have the aggression that noticed them rattle Arsenal and they’re so effectively organised defensively too.
That is why they nonetheless have not misplaced at residence this season, and I really feel dangerous for writing them off so typically, however I’m sorry to say I’m going to do it once more.
I really feel like Metropolis have discovered their movement so I am unable to again towards them, however I’m anticipating Sunderland to place up one heck of a battle.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
Tom’s prediction: My coronary heart is telling me one factor, and my head is telling me one other!
From my coronary heart, that is the form of sport we simply win. I do not know if we are going to, however even simply the actual fact we’re at residence to Metropolis on New Yr’s Day once more actually provides me that feeling – I’ve received excellent recollections of Ji Dong-won getting our winner
With my head, although, it’s going to be powerful. We had probabilities on the Etihad just a few weeks in the past however, being lifelike, I believe we want a full-strength aspect to get something from Metropolis and we do not have that in the meanwhile as a result of we’ve misplaced gamers to the Africa Cup of Nations.
We positively will not have sufficient to win the sport, however I’m by no means going to say we are going to get overwhelmed – I am unable to try this. So, with my fingers crossed, I’m going to say we are going to get our noses forward however then Metropolis will pile on the stress and I do not see us absorbing it and holding out. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 0-3
How did Sutton do final week?
The result of week 18, the festive fixtures on 26, 27 & 28 December, went right down to the final of the ten matches, Tottenham’s 1-0 victory at Crystal Palace.
With solely that sport left to play, Chris’ visitor, The Wellermen singer Jonny Stewart, was main the way in which on 110 factors and will solely be overwhelmed by AI, which was 10 factors behind him.
The BBC readers have been one other 30 factors again and wanted a precise rating to tie, whereas Chris was already out of competition, on 50 factors.
Stewart went for a 2-2 draw, Sutton selected 0-0 and the readers backed Palace to win 2-1 – but it surely was AI who picked up 10 factors by going for a 2-1 Spurs win.
That meant AI and Stewart shared the weekly victory – they each received 5 appropriate outcomes, together with two actual scores, for a tally of 110 factors.
Chris additionally received 5 appropriate outcomes however with no actual scores for 50 factors, whereas the BBC readers received 4 appropriate outcomes with one actual rating, leaving them on 70 factors.
“I’ve tried to vary the foundations so ties aren’t price something however sadly that wasn’t allowed,” Sutton stated.
“It means I am off the highest of the desk – for now – however I nonetheless suppose I used to be unfortunate with a few of my predictions final week.”