Chris Sutton and Tommy Longhurst from ‘Only The Poets’ clash in Premier League predictions, including the Manchester derby. Sutton acknowledges United’s potential while questioning City’s form. They predict scores for key matches, with Longhurst backing his hometown team, Reading, for future Premier League glory.
The anticipation is building for the 197th Manchester derby, set to ignite the Etihad Stadium this Sunday. Will Manchester City assert their dominance, or can Manchester United pull off an upset and claim bragging rights in the city? BBC Sport's football expert, Chris Sutton, admits this match is a tough call, highlighting Manchester United's potential boost from their win over Burnley and questioning Manchester City's resilience after their defeat against Brighton.
Sutton continues his weekly predictions for all 380 Premier League games, pitting his wits against AI, BBC Sport readers, and a diverse array of guests. This week, he faces a musical challenge from Tommy Longhurst, the frontman of the band Only The Poets.
Only The Poets, hailing from Reading, are making waves in the music scene. In an unconventional move, they're offering tickets for their O2 Academy Brixton gig in February 2026 for just £1. This performance follows the release of their debut album, 'And I'd Do It Again'.
The challenge isn't just for bragging rights; participants earn 10 points for a correct result (win, draw, or defeat) and a whopping 40 points for an exact score.
Longhurst, a Reading native and devoted supporter, reminisces about his team's Premier League days. Players like Kevin Doyle and Leroy Lita were his heroes. He fondly recalls Reading's impressive eighth-place finish in the 2007-08 season, narrowly missing out on European qualification.
Image source, Reading FCOnly The Poets have supported Lewis Capaldi, Yungblud and Bastille. They played a set at Reading's Select Leasing Car Stadium before last weekend's win over Port Vale
Despite Reading's current League One status, Longhurst remains optimistic about the future, especially with new owners at the helm. He believes the club's infrastructure, including its stadium, Category One academy, and training ground, provides a solid foundation for promotion. His immediate hope is a return to the Championship within a few years.
Here are their Premier League predictions:
Saturday, 13 September
- Arsenal vs Nottingham Forest (12:30 BST)
Sutton predicts a 2-0 win for Arsenal, acknowledging potential tweaks from Nottingham Forest's new manager but anticipating a tough start for them. Longhurst agrees, forecasting a 2-0 victory for Arsenal. The AI predicts a 3-1 scoreline.
- Bournemouth vs Brighton (15:00 BST)
Sutton anticipates a 1-1 draw, praising both teams' recent wins. Longhurst is backing Bournemouth to win 3-1. The AI predicts 2-2.
- Crystal Palace vs Sunderland (15:00 BST)
Sutton foresees Crystal Palace winning 1-0, highlighting their strong defense. Longhurst also backs Palace for a 2-0 win. The AI agrees, predicting 2-0.
- Everton vs Aston Villa (15:00 BST)
Sutton predicts 1-1 draw. Longhurst believes Everton will edge it 1-0. The AI agrees, predicting 1-0.
- Fulham vs Leeds (15:00 BST)
Sutton is confident of a 2-0 win for Fulham, citing their squad depth. Longhurst is the only draw. 1-1 is his score.
- Newcastle vs Wolves (15:00 BST)
Sutton predicts a 3-1 victory for Newcastle. Longhurst also anticipates a comfortable 3-0 win. The AI aligns with a 3-1 scoreline.
- West Ham vs Tottenham (17:30 BST)
Sutton forecasts a 1-2 win for Tottenham. Longhurst also opts for Tottenham. 1-2 is his prediction, too. The AI agrees. 1-2.
- Brentford vs Chelsea (20:00 BST)
Sutton predicts a 1-1 draw. Longhurst expects a 1-3 win for Chelsea. AI thinks 0-2 to Chelsea.
Sunday, 14 September
- Burnley vs Liverpool (14:00 BST)
Sutton anticipates a 0-3 win for Liverpool. Longhurst is predicting 0-4. The AI predicts 0-3.
- Manchester City vs Manchester United (16:30 BST)
Sutton predicts a 2-1 victory for Manchester City. Longhurst believes City will win 3-2. AI predicts 2-2.
Last time out, Sutton scored 30 points. Bloom beat him with 50 points, Sutton beat AI, who scored 20. The readers got 40 points.