Premier League Predictions: Sutton vs. McGuinness
AI may be outperforming BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton in Premier League predictions this season, but it appears unable to keep pace with the demanding fixture schedule.
When asked to provide scores for this week’s midweek matches, the AI erroneously claimed there were none scheduled.
“It should be disqualified for that,” Sutton remarked. “It’s supposed to know everything, isn’t it?”
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, competing against AI, BBC Sport readers, and various guests.
In week 21, Sutton faces off against Tony McGuinness of the electronic dance music group Above and Beyond.
Above and Beyond's latest album, Bigger Than All Of Us , is currently available.
Do you agree with their predictions? You can submit your own forecasts below.
The most popular scoreline selected for each game will be reflected in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.
A correct result (predicting a win, draw, or loss) earns 10 points, while an exact score prediction awards 40 points.
McGuinness has performed at sold-out venues such as Madison Square Garden, the Hollywood Bowl, and the Sydney Opera House, and he has had numerous memorable moments as a Chelsea fan.
“My favorite was probably Didier Drogba scoring the penalty that won us the Champions League in 2012,” he shared with BBC Sport. “I was in Los Angeles on tour and watching it on TV at Soho House Hollywood. The scream I let out when the ball went in was captured on video by our manager James, and I’ve replayed that moment in my mind many times.”
“Close behind is Eden Hazard’s incredible solo goal against Arsenal in 2017, but my favorite in-person moment was in 2016 when we defeated Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United 4-0 at Stamford Bridge, with Pedro rounding the keeper to score our first. I was with fellow Chelsea fan and DJ Seb Fontaine, and it was an extremely enjoyable match!”
Chris Sutton and Tony McGuinness were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat. We simply asked the tool to 'predict this week’s Premier League scores on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday,' and when it claimed there were no matches, we named each fixture individually.
Premier League Predictions
Tuesday, January 6
London Stadium, 19:30 GMT
Nottingham Forest has lost four consecutive matches, but West Ham is in an even worse situation. The manner of their defeat against Wolves on Saturday has intensified the pressure on Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
West Ham defeated Forest 3-0 earlier this season, but that was during Nuno’s final game in charge of Forest. He could certainly use another 3-0 victory this time around, although I don’t foresee that happening.
Playing at home is a nightmare for them right now, and the mood inside the stadium before kickoff will be tense. I doubt it will improve by full time. I have a feeling that Sean Dyche’s Forest will sneak a narrow win.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Tony's prediction: This is a crucial match for Nuno after his sacking by Forest last year. If they don’t win, they will be far from safety. Forest looks solid under Dyche, although they haven't had the best results lately. I think they’ll edge it here—Nuno might be gone soon. 0-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
Wednesday, January 7
Vitality Stadium, 19:30
Bournemouth is on an 11-match winless streak, but they have been unfortunate not to secure victories in several of those games. I believe the Cherries can score, as demonstrated when they drew 2-2 with Chelsea last week and lost 3-2 to Arsenal on Saturday.
The situation with Antoine Semenyo is intriguing; he is set to join Manchester City this month, but will he play for Bournemouth here after facing the Gunners?
Regardless of Semenyo’s participation, it's hard to back Tottenham at the moment. They have struggled under Thomas Frank this season, currently sitting 13th, and when they were having difficulties under Ange Postecoglou last year, they were just one position better after 20 matches.
For whatever reason, they have not clicked in the final third under Frank, and I don’t expect that to change here. Bournemouth won this fixture 1-0 last season and also won 1-0 at Spurs in August. I anticipate another narrow victory for them.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Tony's prediction: Bournemouth games tend to feature goals, and if Semenyo is still in the lineup, I expect that trend to continue. Spurs have shown inconsistency, and I anticipate they will falter in the second half again. 3-2
AI's prediction: 1-3
Gtech Community Stadium, 19:30
If anyone had suggested before the season began that this match would feature seventh versus eighth place come January, they would have been met with disbelief. Many expected Brentford to struggle after Thomas Frank’s departure for Spurs in the summer, but Keith Andrews continues to prove the doubters wrong.
Kudos to Bees striker Igor Thiago for his first Premier League hat-trick against Everton on Sunday, as not many manage to achieve that feat. I recall visiting Goodison Park with Norwich in the 1993-94 season and winning 5-1, so while Brentford didn’t reach those heights, their 4-2 victory was still impressive.
Their home record is strong, but Sunderland possesses a certain resilience, having conceded fewer goals than only Arsenal and Manchester City this season. Black Cats boss Regis le Bris is a clever and strategic manager, and despite losing a few players to the African Cup of Nations, his team has maintained a solid balance.
I’m predicting another draw here, which would mark Sunderland’s fifth consecutive tie.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Tony's prediction: Few expected this fixture to be a contest for European places at the start of the season! Sunderland has been impressive this year and tends to draw on the road, so I anticipate they will be hard to break down. Brentford’s attack isn’t the most reliable, so while there will be chances, I don’t think they’ll convert them. 0-0
AI's prediction: 2-0