This weekend's Premier League action is heating up, and Chris Sutton is back with his predictions—but this time, he's facing some serious competition. The BBC Sport pundit is going head-to-head with two stars from the hit CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson FC, plus BBC readers and an AI bot, for week 35 of the season.
All eyes are on Monday's clash at the newly named Hill Dickinson Stadium, where Manchester City travel to face Everton. City have won at Goodison Park for eight straight seasons, but this visit marks a fresh chapter at a new venue. "This is a huge test for City's title bid, and probably the toughest of their remaining fixtures," Sutton warned.
Joining the prediction game this week are Jake Quickenden and Ella, who play Richie and Charlie in Jamie Johnson FC. The show, set at fictional Premier League club Hawx United, has never shied away from tough conversations. Series four tackles male role models and boys' mental health head-on.
"Richie is very false. He is all smiles for the cameras but, when they aren't running, he is actually a very manipulative and narcissistic, horrible human being," Jake explained. "He affects Ella's character, Charlie, because of the way he influences some of the boys who are her team-mates. They begin to look at the girls as if they are not worthy, because that is Richie's agenda—to make the guys think they are much better, and that the girls don't belong in football."
It's a storyline that resonates beyond the pitch, reflecting real-world pressures young athletes face. But the drama also shows how teammates can rally together to call out toxic behaviour. "It's important to reflect that this kind of thing is happening in real life, but what is also important is the way the other characters react when they realise what Richie is doing, and how they deal with it together," Jake added.
Football fans will also spot some familiar faces in the new series, with cameo appearances from Sam Allardyce, Ollie Watkins, and Mary Earps. Series four of Jamie Johnson FC kicks off on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday, 6 May, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday.
As for this weekend's fixtures, Sutton is putting his reputation on the line against AI, readers, and the JJFC duo. Who will come out on top? The only way to find out is to watch the action unfold.