English Premier League Projections: Chris Sutton vs Rod Jones & Artificial Intelligence
The Reds confront back-to-back losses in both Premier League and Champions League - is this merely a temporary wobble or something more serious?
"Arne Slot's side seem extremely exposed at the back," remarked football expert Chris Sutton. "I witnessed their loss at Crystal Palace last weekend and Palace might have scored more, truthfully."
"Their goalkeeper was injured against Galatasaray, and if he is absent it will be problematic. We understand Liverpool can pose a threat to Chelsea on Saturday but what worries them is their defense."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, competing against AI technology, readers and various guests.
For week six, he faces Idlewild guitarist Rod Jones, who follows Leeds United.
Idlewild's latest album comes out on Friday and they begin their tour the UK in October.
Rod was raised in Leeds and began following his hometown team at an opportune moment.
He recalled: "It wasn't until I was about 11 that I really became interested in football, and that is when I chose my team would naturally be Leeds."
"It was a great time to start following them. We were promoted in 1990, came fourth... and then we were champions the following year, beating Manchester United to the title."
"I remember being in the center of Leeds for the celebration and it was absolutely incredible. At the time it seemed like only the beginning, but there have been several occasions like that over the past 30-odd years and it has not quite worked out that way!"
It seems rather improbable that the present Leeds side will repeat this feat next season after their promotion to the Premier League, but Rod feels "relatively confident" they can compete effectively.
"It has been a steady beginning, rather than like the previous occasion we went up, under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020, when it was a scoring fest at both ends pretty much every game," he continued.
"Our manager is a lot more pragmatic, but I remain convinced like we can cause problems and maybe finish mid-table."
Top Flight Predictions
Friday, 3 October
Bournemouth vs Fulham
Chris's forecast: 1-0
Jones's forecast: 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
Saturday, 4 October
Leeds vs Tottenham
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Jones's forecast: 2-1
AI's prediction: 1-2
Arsenal vs West Ham
Sutton's prediction: 3-0
Rod's prediction: 3-0
Artificial intelligence's forecast: 3-2
Manchester United vs Sunderland
Chris's forecast: 0-1
Rod's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 1-0
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chris's forecast: 2-1
Jones's forecast: 1-2
Artificial intelligence's forecast: 2-2
Sunday, 5 October
Aston Villa vs Burnley
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Rod's prediction: 1-0
AI's prediction: 1-0
Everton vs Crystal Palace
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Rod's prediction: 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-2
Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
Rod's prediction: 2-0
Artificial intelligence's forecast: 1-0
Wolves vs Brighton
Chris's forecast: 1-2
Rod's prediction: 1-2
Artificial intelligence's forecast: 0-1
Brentford vs Manchester City
Chris's forecast: 1-2
Jones's forecast: 1-2
AI's prediction: 0-2
Last Week's Results
The outcome of the sixth round was remained uncertain until the final game between Everton and West Ham.
Chris and fans both got two right outcomes with one exact score, earning 50 points.
AI got three right outcomes, with one exact score, for a total of 60 points.
Season Totals
- Chris Sutton: 3 wins, 420 points
- Readers: 1 win, 460 points
- Guests: 1 win, 1 tie, 380 points
- AI: 0 wins, 1 tie, 380 points
