Sutton’s Predictions Against Musician and Sunderland Supporter Tom A Smith

Unai Emery’s Challenge Against Arsenal

Aston Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, experienced a challenging 18-month period at Arsenal, which culminated in 2019. On the coming Tuesday, he gets a chance to face his former club again. Chris Sutton, BBC Sport’s football analyst, expressed his desire for Emery to succeed against Arsenal after the treatment he received from its fans during his tenure.

“I would love to see Emery go back to the Emirates and secure a win,” Sutton stated. “He certainly did not merit the criticism he faced. Some fans need to reflect on how they treated him. A hefty victory for Villa would be fitting given that.”

Sutton is tasked with making forecasts for all 380 Premier League matches this season, going head-to-head with AI, BBC Sport readers, and various guests.

In week 19, marked by the final games of 2025 on December 30 and the opening matches of 2026 on January 1, he competes against Tom A Smith, a Sunderland supporter and singer-songwriter.

Tom, whose latest EP titled “Say What You Want” recently reached 14th on the UK charts, has had his tunes played at Sunderland games for some time.

Fan Experience and Current Mood in Sunderland

Tom A Smith, from Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland, is enjoying a good spell as a lifelong supporter of the Black Cats. “It’s been absolutely fantastic. Being a Sunderland fan right now is a brilliant experience,” he remarked. “For the first time in years, I find myself eager for every match, unlike in previous seasons when the situation was less than pleasant.”

The city’s atmosphere has notably improved, with a community buzzing due to the team’s excellent performance. “Everywhere you go around Keel Square, you can sense the excitement surrounding the team’s success and its positive cultural impact,” Smith added.

Sunderland has been playing his songs at home games since their time in the Championship, and the experience of hearing them during matches is “incredible,” he noted.

Premier League Predictions

Tuesday, 30 December

1. Burnley vs. Newcastle

   • Sutton’s prediction: 0-1
   • Tom’s prediction: Newcastle triumphing 0-3.
   • AI’s projection: 1-2.

2. Chelsea vs. Bournemouth

   • Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
   • Tom’s prediction: Chelsea winning 2-1 as well.
   • AI’s projection: 2-1.

3. Nottingham Forest vs. Everton

   • Sutton’s prediction: 1-0
   • Tom’s prediction: Forest clinching a home victory 1-0.
   • AI’s projection: 1-1.

4. West Ham vs. Brighton

   • Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
   • Tom’s prediction: West Ham winning 2-1 despite their struggles.
   • AI’s projection: 2-2.

5. Arsenal vs. Aston Villa

   • Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
   • Tom’s prediction: A thrilling 2-2 stalemate.
   • AI’s projection: 2-0.
6. Manchester United vs. Wolves
   • Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
   • Tom’s prediction: United with a solid 3-0 win.
   • AI’s projection: 2-1.

Thursday, 1 January

1. Crystal Palace vs. Fulham

   • Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
   • Tom’s prediction: Palace emerging victorious 1-0.
   • AI’s projection: 1-1.

2. Liverpool vs. Leeds

   • Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
   • Tom’s prediction: A 3-1 win for Liverpool.
   • AI’s projection: 3-1.

3. Brentford vs. Tottenham

   • Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
   • Tom’s prediction: A draw of 1-1 despite Spurs needing points.
   • AI’s projection: 1-2.
4. Sunderland vs. Manchester City
   • Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
   • Tom’s prediction: Predicting a hopeful 1-1 draw.
   • AI’s projection: 0-3.

How Sutton Performed Last Week

Last week, the festive fixtures showcased competitive matches, with the highlight being Tottenham’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace, determining the outcome of the predictions. Sutton’s guest, Jonny Stewart from “The Wellermen,” was leading with 110 points until the last game, where AI made a successful score prediction, tying with Stewart.

Sutton ended with 50 points, while BBC Sport readers managed to collect 70 points. “I thought I had some bad luck with my predictions,” he mentioned, acknowledging that the tie-breaking rules did not favor him this time around.