Chris Sutton vs AI: The Premier League Prediction Showdown
Forget Liverpool versus Everton or Arsenal against Manchester City; the highlight of this weekend is the face-off between Chris Sutton and AI chatbot Copilot.
This week on the Monday Night Club, Sutton asserted that he is "more intelligent than AI," a claim supported by his performance in football predictions. Currently, he tops the BBC predictions league table, having correctly predicted three out of four matches so far, defeating AI in each instance.
"I am 4-0 up on AI. I don’t know if it feels pressure, but it should," Sutton stated. "If AI wants to improve, perhaps it should start emulating me!"
However, AI is not convinced of Sutton's superior intelligence, indicating that it is premature for him to celebrate his victories. When asked if he was worried about Sutton's capabilities, Copilot confidently replied, "Not in the slightest."
In response to whether Sutton is better at football predictions, AI remarked, "Over time, AI tends to improve as it absorbs more data and refines its models. In the short term, Sutton's instincts and experience may give him an edge, especially in unpredictable fixtures. However, in the long run, AI could outperform with greater consistency across numerous matches."
The outcome of this rivalry will unfold throughout the season, as Sutton will be making predictions for all 380 Premier League games in the 2025-26 season, competing against BBC Sport readers, various guests, and AI.
In week five, Sutton faces off against notable fans of Liverpool and Everton ahead of the 247th Merseyside derby at Anfield this Saturday.
From Liverpool's perspective, The Coral frontman James Skelly and Starsailor's James Walsh have shared their insights, while Katherine Parlour of indie duo Picture Parlour represents the Toffees' viewpoint.
Do you agree with their predictions? You can submit your own below. The most popular scoreline for each match will be reflected in the scoreboards and tables at the end of this article.
A correct result (picking a win, draw, or loss) earns 10 points, while an exact score grants 40 points.
Skelly and Walsh are pleased with Liverpool's strong start to the season, despite some underwhelming performances. "Half the team is new, so it will take time to gel, but we have enough individual quality to carry us through until we fully click," Skelly remarked. Walsh added, "I’m satisfied. The performances haven’t been stellar, but they will improve. Ryan Gravenberch has been exceptional, and his composure under pressure is vital when the team isn’t firing on all cylinders."
Parlour believes Everton has found a new talisman, instilling hope among fans. "I couldn’t ask for more from Jack Grealish, given his assists, but he’s due for a goal. He’s so eager, and the fans can feel the excitement. I can’t wait to see what he brings to the derby," she commented.
Chris Sutton was interviewed by BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat by simply asking the tool to 'predict this weekend's Premier League scores.'
Premier League Predictions
Saturday, 20 September
Anfield, 12:30 BST
Everton has had a solid start this season, with Jack Grealish providing a creative spark and Beto demonstrating tireless energy up front. Additionally, David Moyes will ensure they are tough to break down.
Liverpool had a late win against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, which raises questions about their stamina. Nevertheless, they have a deep squad and, despite not being at their best, continue to find ways to win.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
James Skelly's prediction: It's best to face Everton when they’re confident. When they're struggling, they become defensive. I believe we can win this one. 3-1
Katherine Parlour's prediction: As a Blue, I’m optimistic! A touch of magic from Grealish and a solid defense will see us through. 1-2
James Walsh's prediction: Everton will be tough, but Liverpool's quality will shine through. 2-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
Amex Stadium, 15:00 BST
I attended Tottenham's Champions League win over Villarreal on Tuesday for Radio 5 Live, and they were somewhat lackluster, managing only one shot on target, scoring due to an own goal.
Spurs, like Liverpool, have not always played well but have still secured results, aside from their defeat to Bournemouth. They have two outstanding center-backs in Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who were exceptional against Villarreal.
Brighton, while inconsistent, are brave and have dangerous attacking players. They will challenge Spurs, and I have a feeling they might come away with a win.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Skelly's prediction: Expect a few goals here. 2-2
Parlour's prediction: Brighton is tough at home. 2-1
Walsh's prediction: I hope James Milner scores again. 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-2
Turf Moor, 15:00 BST
Burnley manager Scott Parker must feel hard done by after their narrow defeat to Liverpool, which, like their loss to Manchester United, came from a stoppage-time penalty.
While Burnley was defensively solid in the Championship last season, the question remains whether they can pose enough of an attacking threat in the Premier League.
That’s why I favor Nottingham Forest here. This game is crucial for manager Ange Postecoglou, as his team's losses seem to be met with more enthusiasm from fans than those of other managers, a rather foolish perspective.