Sutton's predictions v Royal Blood drummer Ben Thatcher

What the report says

BBC Sport Football published a preview feature in which expert Chris Sutton compared predictions with Royal Blood drummer Ben Thatcher, alongside BBC readers and an AI tool, for weekend Premier League fixtures. The piece was published around the second week of the season and covered matches including Arsenal’s trip to Aston Villa, as well as several Saturday and Friday games.

The article framed Sutton as strongly backing defending champions Arsenal after their opening win, saying Villa could struggle after a difficult start and summer departures. Thatcher, a lifelong Brighton supporter, focused on his club’s rebuild after player exits such as Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke, expressing trust in Brighton owner Tony Bloom and confidence that the team can stay competitive despite turnover.

The feature also set out their individual scoreline predictions for a range of fixtures, including Crystal Palace v Manchester City, Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth v Everton and Coventry v Hull. Sutton, Thatcher and the AI often reached similar calls, though they differed on some results. The article used the predictions format BBC Sport has run across the Premier League season, with the outlet noting that correct outcomes are scored and readers can submit their own forecasts.

More broadly, the piece combined football analysis with a lighter celebrity guest format. It also referenced Royal Blood’s new single and upcoming album, while noting that Thatcher made his predictions at his drum kit.