Premier League Predictions: Sutton vs AI Showdown

The machines lead the humans 1-0. At least on paper.

Microsoft’s CoPilot walked into the BBC predictions league last season and promptly finished top at the first attempt. This year, Chris Sutton, his guests and the BBC audience want their revenge.

Sutton still sounds slightly haunted by how close he came. “It was a final-day defeat for me, that is how close I came to the title,” he said. Then came the sting. “But I keep reading how AI models are going rogue and attacking each other. So, was I hacked too? It sounds like cheating to me – if so, then last season should really go down as a victory for me.”

The AI, for the record, has no such angst. Its predictions were again generated by Microsoft Copilot Chat, with a simple prompt: predict this weekend’s Premier League results.

Humans, though, are not going quietly.

Arsenal v Coventry (Emirates Stadium, 20:00 BST)

Arsenal look ominous. Champions, stacked with depth, and fresh from dismantling Manchester City in the Community Shield. Sutton does not usually treat that curtain-raiser as a barometer, but the way Mikel Arteta’s side handled City stuck with him.

“Arsenal are the team to beat, and their squad just looks so strong,” he said. Beating City “as comprehensively as they did was hugely impressive, and shows where they are at.”

Coventry arrive with hope and a brutal fixture list. Bruno Guimaraes is a major coup and Christos Tzolis, once overwhelmed at Norwich, now looks every bit the talent Daniel Farke once described as “one of the brightest young prospects in Europe”.

Bad timing for the Sky Blues.

Sutton still remembers Norwich being blown away at Anfield on the opening day in 2019. He fears something similar for Frank Lampard’s newly promoted side. “It is a nightmare for Sky Blues boss Frank Lampard to open with a game like this,” he said. A draw at the Emirates would transform Coventry’s belief. Sutton cannot see it.

His verdict: the only question is how hard Arsenal press the accelerator.

• Sutton’s prediction: 3-0
• Liam Fray’s prediction: 3-0
• AI’s prediction: 3-0

Liam, a Manchester United fan and lead singer of The Courteeners, is delighted to see Coventry back. He remembers Roy Wegerle and Steve Ogrizovic from his Merlin sticker album days and thinks they will have a good season. Just not here. “They just need to take the hit,” he said. “This is just about as tough a start as you can get.”

Hull v Manchester United (MKM Stadium, 12:30)

Hull are not coming up to make up the numbers. Assistant head coach Dean Holden told the Monday Night Club they plan to be horrible to play against and are happy to go direct. At home, on opening day, with the place bouncing, this has the feel of a trap for Manchester United.

Sutton likes the story. Sergej Jakirovic dragged Hull from 21st to the play-offs and up. But he also looks at last season’s Championship table: Hull lost a third of their games. That worries him.

United, meanwhile, have kept their transfer business light. Youri Tielemans is the standout – “a really good signing, a safe signing,” Sutton called him, likening the move to last summer’s additions of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo elsewhere.

Michael Carrick, in Liam’s eyes, is the reason to be optimistic. “Listen, we are not going to be challenging for the title because we are not at Arsenal or Manchester City’s level,” he told BBC Sport. “But I think we will be up there – and I love Carrick. I was like ‘give him the job straight away’ when Ruben Amorim was sacked in January.”

They play golf together. They have shared a few beers. That bias is acknowledged. But Liam believes the connection Carrick shows on the touchline matters. “We have had plenty of managers recently who I am sure are passionate in their own way but, for me, it is a bit like being on stage – it is not that difficult to let people watching see that you are fully into what you are doing.”

Carrick did over-achieve last season, Sutton feels, by taking United into the Champions League. That success has inflated expectations. With European football on top of a relatively thin squad, Sutton has left United out of his top four. He still expects them to start with a win.

• Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
• Liam’s prediction: 0-3
• AI’s prediction: 1-3

Liam’s faith extends to Marcus Rashford. “I love Marcus, and the fact he is one of ours,” he said. He sees the potential for a homecoming renaissance under Carrick, but admits he does not know if it will happen.

Ipswich v Sunderland (Portman Road, 15:00)

Ipswich’s new boss O’Neil comes with a twist: he is a former Norwich player. Sutton could not resist a dig. “Where do his loyalties really lie? And has he gone to Ipswich to sabotage them?” he joked.

Then he parked the rivalry. He wants Ipswich to stay up, for East Anglia’s sake, and likes what they have done in the market. Daizen Maeda, signed from Celtic, is the headline. Sutton knows him well. “He will be the best pressing player in the Premier League bar none,” he said. Maeda’s pace and relentlessness make him perfect for a counter-attacking side.

Sunderland’s rise last season, recruiting heavily after promotion and still qualifying for Europe, offers a template. Leeds did something similar. The hard part now is knitting a new group together quickly. That is O’Neil’s immediate challenge.

Sunderland, though, arrive with momentum and muscle. Sutton has not forgotten how they “beat Arsenal up” last season in a way no other side managed. They tailed off, and they will not surprise anyone this time, but Granit Xhaka’s leadership and the threat of Wilson Isidor and Brian Brobbey up front still give them teeth.

• Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
• Liam’s prediction: 2-2
• AI’s prediction: 2-1

Nottingham Forest v Leeds (City Ground, 15:00)

Nottingham Forest were chaos and survival rolled into one last season. Four managers, wildly different styles, and yet they stayed up and reached a Europa League semi-final.

Now Oliver Glasner is in charge. Chris Wood is fit again, which Sutton believes is “great news” given his experience and goals. Forest have lost Elliot Anderson in midfield, but keeping Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi feels significant.

Across from them, Daniel Farke arrives with credit in the bank. Sutton was “delighted” to see the Leeds boss prove people wrong by keeping them up. This summer’s work – bringing in Harry Wilson, excellent for Fulham, and goalkeeper James Trafford – has raised expectations that Leeds can stay clear of trouble.

Sutton will be at the City Ground for Radio 5 Live. He admits the game is a nightmare to call. Glasner typically used a 3-4-3 at Crystal Palace but has said he will adapt to his squad, leaving Forest’s shape a mystery.

• Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
• Liam’s prediction: 2-1
• AI’s prediction: 2-1

One question hangs over Glasner already in Sutton’s mind: will he still be there in September?

Brentford v Tottenham (Gtech Community Stadium, 17:30)

The noise around Spurs is back. This time, it sounds justified.

Sandro Tonali has arrived to anchor midfield. Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke strengthen the defence, while Micky van de Ven has signed a new deal. Roberto de Zerbi’s appointment only cranks up the intrigue. With no European football, Tottenham have a clear shot at the top six.

Brentford, though, are not about to roll over. Keith Andrews’ first season in charge was “sensational” in Sutton’s eyes. The question now is whether we see “counter-attack Keith” again.

Spurs will dominate the ball. Brentford will wait, organised and poised to spring. Igor Thiago’s prolific campaign last year and the presence of Kevin Schade mean they should not be short of goals.

• Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
• Liam’s prediction: 1-2
• AI’s prediction: 1-2

Liam is bullish about Spurs’ business. Tonali, Mateus Fernandes and Andy Robertson join a squad that also has James Maddison fit again. “They are going to have a much better season this time,” he said.

Brighton v Aston Villa (Amex Stadium, 14:00)

Aston Villa are back in the Champions League. Sutton thinks that step up in schedule will bite. He does not see them making the top four again.

They have lost Morgan Rogers and Tielemans. Johan Manzambi, young and talented, has been asked to step into Rogers’ shoes. That is a big ask. Alejandro Garnacho remains a puzzle; Sutton is unsure whether anyone can “get a tune out of him”, though if anyone can, he says, it is Unai Emery.

The goalkeeping situation is just as intriguing. Zion Suzuki has arrived from Japan, full of energy. Emiliano Martinez looked set for Juventus until that move collapsed. “You can’t play with two goalkeepers,” Sutton reminded Mark Chapman on the Monday Night Club. One of them will be unhappy soon.

Brighton have taken their own hits, losing Danny Welbeck and Van Hecke, the spine of last season’s team. Sutton expects Jack Hinshelwood, “phenomenal” last year, to step into a bigger role.

Villa started dreadfully last season, taking six league games to find a win. Sutton thinks they flip that script this time.

• Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
• Liam’s prediction: 1-2
• AI’s prediction: 2-2

Liam remains unsure what Villa will be from week to week. Losing Rogers to Chelsea is, he says, “a massive miss”, but he still backs them to edge this.

Manchester City v Bournemouth (Etihad Stadium, 14:00)

Manchester City have already taken a kicking for their Community Shield performance. Sutton does not see them as champions this time, but he is not buying the idea of any dramatic collapse either. Look at the squad. They will be there, deep into the title race.

Bournemouth arrive under Marco Rose, and that is where this tie gets interesting. Rose’s RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg sides were relentlessly front-foot. Sutton expects the same intent here. The question is whether Rose will really go toe-to-toe with City at the Etihad on day one.

Sutton thinks he will. That means goals. Mostly at one end.

• Sutton’s prediction: 4-1
• Liam’s prediction: 3-0
• AI’s prediction: 3-1

With Pep Guardiola gone and City’s new stand open for the first time, the champions of recent years enter a new chapter in front of a full house. Liam believes if they can “get Phil Foden firing again they will be a force to be reckoned with.”

Newcastle v Liverpool (St James’ Park, 16:30)

Newcastle feel stripped back. Matthias Jaissle has impressed Sutton, but the spine that made Eddie Howe’s side so horrible to face has gone. Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, “two absolute monsters in midfield”, have departed. So too have Anthony Gordon’s edge and Kieran Trippier’s experience.

“It is sad to see,” Sutton admitted. He still thinks Newcastle can do well, but senses their supporters understand that this season will be different.

Liverpool, under Andoni Iraola, are still trying to find their rhythm. Pre-season exposed defensive problems and fitness issues; Sutton joked they needed to be able to run for more than half an hour. He has no doubts about their attack.

Alexander Isak will walk into a hostile reception at St James’ Park in Liverpool colours. Sutton expects him to thrive in it and shine across the season, starting on Sunday.

• Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
• Liam’s prediction: 1-2
• AI’s prediction: 1-1

Liam sympathises with Newcastle fans. The takeover promised a surge; instead, it feels like it never quite got going before key players were sold. He is fascinated to see how St James’ Park reacts. When it is bouncing, it is ferocious. When the mood dips, that is just as obvious.

For Liverpool, he sees a different beast if Isak settles quickly and Florian Wirtz delivers.

Fulham v Chelsea (Craven Cottage, 20:00)

Fulham are stepping into a new world without Marco Silva. Harry Wilson has gone, taking his creativity with him. Raul Jimenez, who led the line so well last season, has gone too.

Alvaro Arbeloa has come in to replace Silva and Fulham have doubled down on youth up front. Gonzalo Garcia and Cesar Palacios arrive from Real Madrid, Swedish teenager Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich. It is bold. It is also a risk.

Under Silva, Fulham felt steady, safe from the drop zone’s pull. Sutton no longer feels that security. He expects more of a struggle this time.

Across west London, Chelsea have changed course again. Xabi Alonso is the new man in the dugout. Sutton does not see another Antonio Conte-style leap from 10th to 1st, pointing out that the squad a decade ago was far stronger. But there is genuine optimism.

Cole Palmer is already a star. Rogers adds excitement. Alonso, Sutton says, is “a breath of fresh air” and he expects him to start with a win.

• Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
• Liam’s prediction: 0-2
• AI’s prediction: 1-2

Liam has never been to Craven Cottage but wants to get down to see the much-talked-about infinity pool, maybe leaning on Felix White for tickets. On the pitch, he senses danger for Fulham. “They always seem to be safe and never get dragged into a relegation fight,” he said. “But this might be the year they struggle a bit. I am just putting it out there, Fulham fans – keep an eye on that line, above 18th place.”

So the stage is set again: Sutton, Liam Fray and a nation of readers on one side, a quietly confident chatbot on the other. The machines lead 1-0 in the prediction stakes. Over a long, unforgiving season, can the humans claw it back?