The Premier League is back with a historic Merseyside derby, and the stakes couldn't be higher. This Sunday marks the 248th clash between Everton and Liverpool, but the first ever to be played at Everton's new Hill Dickinson Stadium. While Everton won the very first official derby at Goodison Park in 1894, all eyes will be on Liverpool's new boss, Arne Slot, who desperately needs a win to keep his side's Champions League hopes alive.
To break down this weekend's full slate of fixtures, BBC Sport's football expert Chris Sutton is locking horns with some famous faces. For Week 33, he's facing off against two passionate fans from opposite sides of Stanley Park: Everton supporter and professional boxer Molly McCann, and Liverpool fan Dr. Simon 'Sice' Rowbottom, frontman of the iconic band The Boo Radleys.
McCann's connection to football runs deep. Before becoming a combat sports star, she actually played for Liverpool's women's team until an ankle injury forced her retirement. "Having to stop football broke my heart," McCann told BBC Sport, "but then MMA and boxing have filled that void." She steps into the ring on Saturday in Liverpool before turning her focus to Sunday's massive derby.
Meanwhile, Sice and The Boo Radleys are gearing up for their own big moment, with a new album out May 1st and a UK and Ireland tour on the horizon. But first, he's putting his Liverpool loyalty on the line with his predictions.
It's a classic clash of perspectives: the fighter's grit versus the musician's flair, all channeled through the prism of Premier League prognostication. Sutton will also be competing against the collective wisdom of BBC readers and an AI predictor. Remember, a correct result is worth 10 points, but nail the exact scoreline for a whopping 40-point haul. Do you agree with their calls? The most popular fan predictions will shape the leaderboards, so make your voice heard.
