BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton is continuing his weekly tradition of predicting all 380 Premier League games, this time facing off against Waffle the Wonder Dog and his owner, Simon, portrayed by actor James Merry. They are also competing against AI and BBC Sport readers.

Waffle, a character from the CBeebies show "Waffle's After School Club," is known for his enthusiastic approach to football, despite his owner's best efforts to manage the ensuing chaos. In a lighthearted segment, Waffle shared his passion for the sport, declaring himself an "enthusiastic baller" and citing Harry Kane as a favorite player. He also expressed his support for Liverpool, playfully calling them "Liverpoodle."

James Merry, who plays Simon and Waffle's owner, is a lifelong Aston Villa fan, a club he has a deep personal connection with. His family's long-standing support for Villa, coupled with his own early experiences working at Villa Park, gives him a unique perspective on the team's performance.

Premier League Predictions

Sutton's predictions for the upcoming fixtures offer a mix of analyses, often highlighting tactical nuances and team form. For the match between Manchester City and Aston Villa, Sutton noted Villa's strong record against City under Unai Emery, acknowledging their current unbeaten run.

"Villa have beaten City in this fixture in each of the past three years under Unai Emery," Sutton stated. "They will fancy it this time too - they are seven unbeaten in all competitions, and flying at the moment."

However, Sutton ultimately predicted a 1-2 victory for Manchester City, a sentiment shared by the AI. Waffle the Wonder Dog, embracing a more whimsical approach, predicted a 2-3 scoreline with Ross Barkley scoring twice for Villa and Erling Haaland netting a hat-trick for City. James Merry, remaining partisan, backed Villa to win 3-2, citing their offensive capabilities.

In other predictions, Sutton anticipates a 1-1 draw between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town, a 2-0 win for Arsenal against Everton, and a 1-2 victory for Fulham over Coventry City.

For the clash between Chelsea and Tottenham, Sutton predicted a 3-1 win for Chelsea, a prediction echoed by James Merry. Waffle the Wonder Dog, however, foresaw a higher-scoring affair with a 4-2 score in favor of Chelsea, referencing his past admiration for Didier Drogba.

Sutton foresees a 2-2 draw between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United, with both Waffle and AI predicting a 1-2 win for Newcastle. Brentford is tipped by Sutton, Waffle, and James to beat Hull City 0-2 and 1-2 respectively, while AI predicts a 1-1 draw.

Anfield is set to host Liverpool vs. Brighton, with Sutton controversially predicting a 1-3 win for Brighton, a view shared by AI. Waffle backs Liverpool to win 2-1, while James Merry also predicts a 2-1 victory for Liverpool.

Manchester United's struggles continue to be a talking point, with Sutton predicting a 1-2 loss to Bournemouth, a sentiment echoed by Waffle who hopes for a win from "BARKus Rashford." James Merry, however, believes Manchester United will secure a 2-0 win.

Finally, in the match between Sunderland and Leeds United, Sutton anticipates a 1-1 draw. Waffle predicts a 0-2 win for Leeds, while James Merry controversially predicts a 0-0 draw. AI predicts a 1-2 victory for Leeds United.

Last week, Sutton and BBC readers both achieved 60 points, while his guest, boxer Fabio Wardley, scored 70 points. AI emerged as the weekly winner with 110 points. The Brighton vs. Crystal Palace match saw a 5-0 victory for Brighton, with only a small number of participants correctly predicting the exact score.