🔗 Share this article Chris Sutton's Forecasts versus eSports England Star Daniel 'Stingray' Ray Published: Over half an hour ago Comments: 14 Sunday brings the first Wear-Tyne derby after 2024, but who will emerge victorious – Sunderland or the Magpies? "For most of last season, it was unthinkable the Wearside club earning promotion and holding their own with Eddie Howe's Newcastle, never mind being above them in the table," stated pundit Chris Sutton. "The situation is very different now, and the way they play convinces me they've got a genuine opportunity." Sutton is making forecasts for all 380 Premier League games this season, in competition with AI, fans and a assortment of guests. For week 16, he faces off against England Gaming star Daniel 'Stingray' Ray. Ray is vying for victory for the national gaming squad – the Football Association's official esports team – at the football simulation digital Euros finals tournament, which is being held at Twickenham Stadium on Saturday. You can watch Uefa's video platform, Instagram Live and TikTok channels, as well as EA Sports FC Twitch and YouTube and England's Twitch. Are you in alignment with their scores? Share your own guesses below. The most commonly selected scoreline picked for each game is used in the tables at the bottom of this page. A correct result (choosing a win, draw or defeat) is worth ten points. A perfect prediction earns forty points. Numerous entrants entered the European esports championship and a mere eight remain. Ray, pictured here with his coach Nick den Hamer and England Gaming team manager Denman, holds the team's ambitions. England also have competitive gaming squads in Rocket League and Football Manager. Ray, who competes for his club side and the Premier League champions as well as England, is competing for the first time at the eEuros finals after passing the qualifying. A group of eight will fly the flag at the finals in a single-elimination, competing for a $100,000 prize pool and a prestigious spot in the FC Pro World Championship Play-Ins, with the Danish representative Anders Vejrgang looking to retain the title he won last year. "I am feeling really good for it," Ray said. "There's a really good coach alongside me and preparation has been going well. "Representing your country is always an honour to play for your country. Naturally when you are younger, you fantasise about doing it as an professional footballer, but when you enter this field and there is an opportunity 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. "For me he is the number one in the world so getting a win over him in a tournament like this just provides a massive injection of confidence." Ray's sporting hero is Lionel Messi and he believes his game playing style is reminiscent of his hero. "I play with a bit of skill and I like to play with a bit of incisive passing, so I'd say that is fair," he said. "It's flattering with that comparison!" Premier League Weekend Preview Saturday, 13 December Chelsea vs Everton Stamford Bridge, 15:00 GMT The London club were excellent against the Gunners at the end of November, when they secured a point after being reduced to 10 men, and I was thinking here we go, they could possibly be title contenders. However, since that game, however, they were overpowered by Leeds, looked uninspired against Bournemouth and this week got defeated by Atalanta in the Champions League. So head coach Enzo Maresca is in need of a win here to restore momentum, but it is a tough ask because Everton are such a potent team. Two of their stars are playing exceptionally and they have got a bit of a positive run at the moment. Based on recent performances you would probably back the visitors, while the most logical prediction would probably be a draw, but I am not going to be sensible. Chelsea haven't given me any real reason to back them recently, but I just have a hunch Chelsea will emerge victorious because they are at home and they are overdue a victory. 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 fascinating to see what we get from Liverpool. It was great to see for Reds boss Arne Slot to get such a important victory at Inter Milan on Tuesday following all the controversy with Mohamed Salah this week. Slot should not have to put up with that distraction. I know Salah has been a icon for the club but essentially Slot just wants to win games and there is no ulterior motive in his team selection. Liverpool 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 selected for this game, but the only way he is going to be reintegrated is if he says sorry. Slot's focus will be on winning this game, but it is a tough one. You could argue it is the same for most teams but I find Brighton so hard to predict. I always feel they have got a goal in them, but they are quite open too. Liverpool need to get back to winning consistently, but I am not sure how much their exertions at the San Siro will have taken out of them. I have whacked a couple of Brighton players in my FPL team, so they will almost certainly blank - but I do fancy them to 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 Sunderland have had the benefit of a free week while Newcastle had to battle intensely against Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday, only to concede a late equaliser late on. Aside from their superb performance against Everton a couple of weeks ago, Newcastle's away form has been poor, particularly straight after they've played in the Champions League. The pattern suggests that trend to continue on Sunday, and their fatigue is likely to be a key element in how this game goes because of Sunderland's intensity. It was evident how incessant Regis le Bris's side are. They overpowered the Gunners, and it was a joy to watch. Commentators talks about how Granit Xhaka has been outstanding for the Black Cats, and he has been superb, but Noah Sadiki, who plays alongside him, has also been one of the best acquisitions and should be recognised too. I am expecting this being the best game|most exciting fixture