🔗 Share this article Chris Sutton's Predictions vying with eSports England Star Daniel 'The Stingray' Ray Published: Half an hour ago Comments: 14 This Sunday sees the first Wear-Tyne derby after 2024, but will it be – the Black Cats or Newcastle? "During the bulk of last season, no one would have predicted Sunderland rising to the top flight and challenging with Eddie Howe's Newcastle, much less being above them in the table," stated analyst Chris Sutton. "The situation is very different now, and the way they play convinces me they've got a solid shot." Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this campaign, in competition with artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of guests. For week 16, he is challenged by England Gaming star Daniel 'Stingray' Ray. Ray is competing for honours for the England's esports team – the Football Association's formal esports team – at the gaming title Uefa eEuro 2025 finals tournament, which will occur at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday. Viewers can catch Uefa's YouTube, IG Live and short-form video channels, as well as the official Twitch channel and YouTube and the national team's Twitch. What are your thoughts with their scores? Feel free to submit your own predictions below. The fan-favourite scoreline chosen for each game is used in the scoreboards at the end of this page. Predicting the right outcome (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. An accurate scoreline earns forty points. Half a hundred countries competed in the Uefa EA Sports FC eEuros and only eight remain. Ray, pictured here with his trainer and England Gaming team manager Denman, carries the nation's aspirations. England also have competitive gaming squads in Rocket League and the management simulation. Ray, who also plays Gen City and Manchester City as well as England, is entering the fray at the eEuros finals after successfully navigating the preliminary stage. Eight players will play for their countries at the finals in a single-elimination, playing for a substantial cash prize and a coveted spot in the world finals play-offs, with the Danish representative Anders Vejrgang defending the title he won last year. "My mindset is really good for it," Ray stated. "I have a really good coach with me and practice has been going well. "It is invariably an honour to play for your country. Of course when you are younger, you dream about doing it as an professional footballer, but when you go into this job and there is an chance to represent England, putting the shirt on is something incredible. "I defeated Vejrgang 9-4 in qualifying to get here. I've played against him recently just in practice, and in other tournaments before - but I'd not previously defeated him in a tournament before. "I believe he is the best player in the world so getting a win over him in a tournament like this just delivers a massive injection of confidence." Ray's footballing idol is Lionel Messi and he believes his in-game approach is comparable to his hero. "I utilise a bit of flair and creativity and I like to play with a bit of vision, so I'd say that is fair," he explained. "It's flattering with that comparison!" Premier League Weekend Preview Saturday, 13 December Chelsea vs Everton Stamford Bridge, 15:00 GMT The Blues were excellent against Arsenal at the end of November, when they got a draw after being reduced to 10 men, and I was thinking this is it, they could possibly be title contenders. In the matches following, however, they were beaten physically by Leeds, looked uninspired against Bournemouth and this week got defeated by Atalanta in the Champions League. So boss Enzo Maresca really needs a win here to return to winning ways, but it will be a challenge because Everton are such a dangerous team. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Iliman Ndiaye are playing really well and Everton have got a bit of momentum at the moment. Current evidence suggests you would probably back the visitors, while the most sensible prediction would likely be a draw, but I'm going against logic. The Blues have failed to given me any good cause to back them recently, but I just have a gut instinct Chelsea will emerge victorious because they are at home and they are in need of three points. Sutton's prediction: 2-1 Stingray's prediction: With this being at the Bridge, I am going to back Chelsea. I think they will start off really well and go 2-0 up, then Everton will nick one back but then Chelsea score late. 3-1 AI's prediction: 2-0 Liverpool vs Brighton Anfield, 15:00 GMT I'll be at this game and it will be intriguing to see what we get from the Reds. It was great to see for Reds boss Arne Slot to get such a crucial result at Inter Milan on Tuesday following all the discussion with Mohamed Salah this week. Slot should not have to put up with that nonsense. I know Salah has been a icon for Liverpool but essentially Slot just wants to win games and there is nothing personal in his team selection. They changed their shape against Inter and went with a midfield diamond formation and two up top. All the talk is going to be talking about whether Salah is back for this game, but the only way he is going to be reintegrated is if he says sorry. Slot's primary concern will be on winning this game, but it is a tough one. It's fair to say it is the same for most teams but I find Brighton so unpredictable. I always feel they have got a goal in them, but they are vulnerable at the back too. The Merseysiders need to get back to a consistent run of form, but I am not sure how much their energy spent at the San Siro will have taken out of them. I have whacked a couple of Brighton players in my Fantasy Premier League side, so they will almost certainly blank - but I do think they can get something at Anfield. Sutton's prediction: 2-2 Stingray's prediction: This is a game which is going to give Liverpool a bit more of their confidence back. Obviously they had a good win in midweek and they can build more momentum here. 2-1 AI's prediction: 3-1 Sunday, 14 December Sunderland vs Newcastle Stadium of Light, 14:00 GMT The Black Cats have had the opportunity to rest while Newcastle had to work so hard against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, only to concede a late equaliser late on. With the exception of their superb performance against Everton a couple of weeks ago, Newcastle's away form hasn't been great, particularly straight after they've played in the Champions League. It is anticipated that that pattern to continue on Sunday, and their lack of freshness is likely to be a significant issue in how this game goes because of their rivals' high press. Their match against Arsenal demonstrated how relentless Regis le Bris's side are. They overpowered the Gunners, and it was a joy to watch. Everyone talks about how Granit Xhaka has been outstanding for the Black Cats, and he has been superb, but Noah Sadiki, who plays next to him, has also been one of the top transfers and warrants praise too. I am expecting this being the best game|most exciting fixture