Football Manager 27 Takes on Chris Sutton in Premier League Predictions
AI is at the top of BBC Sport’s prediction league table, but this week Chris Sutton faces a unique challenge: a computer game. His guest opponent for the upcoming weekend’s fixtures is Football Manager 27, the latest installment of the well-loved management simulation series set to release on November 10.
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The FM27 game engine has simulated this weekend’s matches, and the expected results, including goalscorers, can be found below.
Miles Jacobson, the studio director of Sports Interactive, the company behind Football Manager, has also participated.
Do you agree with their predictions? You can make your selections below.
The most popular score for each match will be reflected in the scoreboards and tables at the bottom of this page.
A correct result (choosing a win, draw, or loss) earns 10 points while predicting the exact score awards 40 points.
Want to make additional predictions? You can engage with BBC Sport’s new Match of the Day predictor game each week, covering six matches from both domestic and European competitions.
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Football Manager 27 introduces several new features, including a more customizable representation of managers, allowing wheelchair-using managers to be included in the game for the first time.
“It’s something we are really proud of,” Jacobson shared with BBC Sport. “Some might see it as a minor detail, but for wheelchair users, being represented in the game they cherish is immensely important.”
“I am not overly emotional, but I admit I was moved when I watched videos of disabled individuals during our free trial, wanting to see themselves reflected in the game.”
“It may seem obvious for those who have been represented in games for years, but giving people the chance to be seen when they haven’t been before is genuinely impactful. It has been wonderful to observe.”
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The game has also developed a more immersive environment, featuring a new training system known as Tactical Effectiveness.
“This aspect mirrors real-life scenarios where a new manager arrives at a club and implements different strategies. Players need time to adapt to new tactics,” Jacobson explained.
“As a manager stepping into a club, you must decide whether to invest time training players in complex tactics, which may take a while to master, or to start with the basics and progressively build from there.”
“It’s similar to what Nottingham Forest manager Oliver Glasner mentioned following their recent loss to Brentford—he had been lenient but now expects players to follow directions.”
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“I expect he is likely focusing on tactical effectiveness training this week, targeting specific areas, as there are multiple aspects to consider.”
Chris Sutton and Miles Jacobson were interviewed by BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat; we simply instructed the tool to ‘predict this weekend’s Premier League scores.’
FM27’s Premier League Predictions, Including Goalscorers and Red Cards
Premier League Predictions
Friday, 6 November
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Hill Dickinson Stadium, 20:00 GMT
Coventry City, like all newly promoted teams, is making a spirited attempt in the league.
They have experienced some success, recording a few victories, matching sixth-place Brentford with three wins in the Premier League.
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The Sky Blues have had a mixed season thus far, displaying inconsistent performances. They sometimes seem vulnerable but have benefited from their bold approach.
However, I predict they will struggle against Everton when Frank Lampard returns to his former club.
While Everton may not be a high-scoring team, their experience should secure them the victory over Coventry.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
FM27’s prediction: 2-0
Miles’ prediction: Both teams are performing well, making this the toughest match to predict this week. Thierno Barry has shone for Everton, demonstrating they can secure wins without Jack Grealish, while Jack Rudoni has started to find form for Coventry at an ideal moment.
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This game should be exciting, but I am backing Everton to win due to their solid defense which may be challenging for Coventry to penetrate, especially compared to their last match against Sunderland. 2-1
AI’s prediction: 2-0
Saturday, 7 November
Tottenham has a strong track record against Leeds, having lost only once in their last 15 Premier League encounters over nearly 25 years.
I believe some teams consistently perform well against specific opponents or at certain venues.
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As a player, I had my share of bogey teams; for instance, I regularly scored against Everton at Goodison Park but struggled at Coventry’s old ground, Highfield Road, despite excelling against them at home.
Thus, I am not predicting a Leeds victory in this matchup. However, should I back Tottenham to continue their winning streak?
Roberto de Zerbi’s squad has surged up the table, winning three matches in a row, partly aided by Jean-Philippe Mateta’s red card in their last win over Crystal Palace.
Currently, Tottenham’s confidence is soaring, displaying an admirable level of play. While I don’t foresee them achieving four straight wins, I believe they will not be defeated.
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This game is likely to be tightly contested. Leeds narrowly lost to Bournemouth last week, and their scoring issues persist.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
FM27’s prediction: 2-1
Miles’ prediction: Leeds started the season strong, while Tottenham has regained form with many players returning to fitness. I am unable to choose a victor. 1-1
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Hull City is engaged in a tough fight for points and is often involved in tightly contested matches.
Historically, I’ve mispredicted their outcomes, often assuming they would lose. Yet, I don’t intend to change my stance this week considering their opponents.
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Arsenal remains a formidable team, consistently managing to secure victories, even when underperforming. They are likely to grind out another win here if necessary.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-0
FM27’s prediction: 1-0
Miles’ prediction: Hull has been entertaining to watch; they play aggressively without fear. Initially, many would have anticipated Arsenal to dominate, but the match should be tighter than that, especially with Ollie McBurnie displaying great form.
Although I admire Arsenal’s tactical style—they remind me of a strategic chess match—they are experiencing difficulties, specifically lacking width due to Bukayo Saka’s absence. They are currently focusing on game management. 2-1
AI’s prediction: 3-0
What exactly is Newcastle United? This inconsistency has led to criticism of their manager, Matthias Jaissle, from the fans.
The current Premier League landscape differs from my playing days; even managers face pressure following a few negative results.
Currently, Newcastle has lost three out of their last four league matches, which leads fans to believe their form is faltering.
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This match has significant implications for Jaissle. A victory will carry the Magpies into the international break positively; conversely, a loss could result in discontent among supporters in the following weeks.
I anticipate the latter outcome. Fulham has shown improvement in both results and performances. Playing at home, they are likely to be well-organized and exceed Newcastle’s capabilities.
Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
FM27’s prediction: 1-1
Miles’ prediction: Fulham has adopted a new formation under Alvaro Arbeloa, taking time for implementation.
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Newcastle is also a work in progress under Jaissle; in Fantasy football, I recently benched Yoane Wissa, so I’m not banking on him for goals this week—I suspect they need the international break to address their manager’s tactics. 0-0
AI’s prediction: 1-1
Nottingham Forest is struggling to find the net, with a dismal total of only six league goals in their first nine matches, the lowest across the Premier League.
Manager Oliver Glasner displayed frustration following their loss to Brentford last week, threatening changes if performance did not improve. He initially took a softer approach at the season’s start, but now is adopting a more rigid strategy.
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We might witness a reaction here, and I believe Forest will score—potentially benefiting from Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma’s current slump in form.
Nonetheless, City faces challenges of its own after consecutive league defeats, yet I still expect them to create enough chances for victory.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
FM27’s prediction: 0-0
Miles’ prediction: Forest also looks to benefit from an international break. Last season, Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo excelled as Premier League centre-backs, but currently, they appear disorganized. I anticipate a City win here. 0-3
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AI’s prediction: 1-2
Sunday, 8 November
I find it hard to back against Brighton, who are exceptionally organized, offer attacking threats, and boast a strong bench.
While Brentford’s performance has been commendable and capable of causing issues, after watching Brighton triumph over Manchester City at the Etihad last week, I am supporting Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
I have confidence in Brentford finding the net, yet I expect the Seagulls to emerge victorious.
Opinions often vary on whether Brighton is genuinely in the title race, but they undeniably contend for a strong position behind Arsenal.
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Sutton’s prediction: 2-1
FM27’s prediction: 0-1
Miles’ prediction: Brighton has been an absolute delight to watch—completely fearless. The efforts on and off the pitch have been fantastic, and the same applies to Brentford. It promises to be an exciting encounter I wish to view live. 2-2
AI’s prediction: 2-1
Crystal Palace manager Pierre Sage faces challenges following Mateta’s suspension from their defeat to Tottenham, exacerbating the pressure on him. His dismissal appeal was unsuccessful, intensifying the clouds over him.
Meanwhile, Liverpool, entering this match after a lackluster showing against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, also grapples with its issues.
Aston Villa had a remarkable scoreline against the Turkish side recently, yet Liverpool struggled to contain them, leading Palace to believe they might exploit weaknesses in a similar manner.
Despite Liverpool’s tendencies under manager Andoni Iraola to press aggressively and potentially leave themselves exposed, I don’t foresee that occurring here given Palace’s inconsistency.
Although Liverpool was vulnerable against Fenerbahce, I expect them to secure a narrow win with Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola on the scoresheet.
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Sutton’s prediction: 0-2
FM27’s prediction: 0-1
Miles’ prediction: I have friends at Palace who may be upset after my prediction, but I am backing Liverpool here. Mateta’s absence is significant, while Ismaila Sarr is still out. 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-3
Bournemouth has risen to become one of the Premier League’s in-form teams.
I initially believed they would falter against Leeds last week, but I was incorrect; they demonstrated strength in squad depth.
I have similarly been impressed with Ipswich, who narrowly missed out on a win against Hull recently. Their resilience suggests they won’t go down easily.
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Bournemouth, led by attacking-minded manager Marco Rose, plays proactively, yet Ipswich will push back. I can foresee them achieving a draw.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
FM27’s prediction: 1-2
Miles’ prediction: Ipswich has impressed me in recent weeks, particularly with Julio Enciso’s solid performance—however, Bournemouth is performing exceptionally well this season. 0-2
AI’s prediction: 1-1
There are rumblings about Sunderland manager Regis le Bris facing pressure. This is surprising considering he led a promoted team to seventh place and into Europe last season.
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Nonetheless, le Bris has numerous issues to resolve, particularly with his squad stretched thin from Europa League commitments—before this match, they face Dinamo Zagreb on Thursday.
The Black Cats managed to win this fixture on the season’s final day last year, but their home form has faltered this season.
They concede almost two goals per game in the Premier League, a sharp decline from last season when only three teams had a better defensive record.
Considering their own struggles to score—Forest has recorded fewer goals—it is evident why they sit at the bottom of the table.
I remain uncertain about Chelsea; they secured a win against Manchester United last week, but everyone has been beating United lately. I cannot foresee Sunderland keeping them at bay.
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Sutton’s prediction: 1-2
FM27’s prediction: 1-1
Miles’ prediction: Sunderland is grappling with the demands of European competition. While I anticipate they will recover, not this week. Chelsea’s start to the season hasn’t been stellar, and losing Joao Pedro to injury is a significant blow. I still predict a Chelsea victory here. 1-2
AI’s prediction: 1-2
Recent scenes at Old Trafford depicted Manchester United staging a comeback against Roma from a 2-0 deficit, when Roma had to field their third-choice goalkeeper due to injuries.
This result was thrilling, yet many aspects of United’s performance remain unconvincing; the club is attempting to present a facade of unity that seems lacking.
While overcoming Roma was commendable, there are concerns about another potential collapse, especially facing an Aston Villa side that exhibits remarkable organization and is poised to capitalize on any vulnerabilities.
With discussions surrounding Villa manager Unai Emery potentially succeeding Michael Carrick at United, it appears he may be too accomplished a coach for the current state of United.
While I predict United will score, I expect Villa to secure the win. Nicolas Jackson could score twice, and we may witness more tears from Bruno Fernandes at the conclusion.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
FM27’s prediction: 2-1
Miles’ prediction: I expect backlash from United fans, including colleagues who support the team. A colleague who holds season tickets stated he is abstaining from attending this match—so naturally, United might win… but I struggle to envision that happening.
I empathize with Michael Carrick for his achievements last season, yet Villa currently looks too strong. 1-2
AI’s prediction: 2-2
Sutton’s Previous Performance
Chris accurately predicted four results, including two exact scores, from the ten games in week nine, earning him a total of 100 points.
He surpassed his guest, John Hannah from Bad Day At The Office, who logged four correct results without exact scores, amassing 40 points.
AI’s winning streak also concluded, as it managed five correct results with one exact score, ending the week with 80 points.
The top weekly performance came from the combined predictions of BBC readers, who achieved five correct results, including two exact scores, aggregating a stunning total of 110 points.
Only one game witnessed unanimous correct predictions—all participants correctly anticipated Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United.
Chris, John, and AI matched the score prediction but were incorrect in the specific outcome, as many readers got the score right. Close to 10,000 readers selected it as the most favored prediction from over 40,000 total submissions.
