I asked AI to predict Birmingham City v Newcastle United in the FA Cup - and here's the results

Like it or loathe it, we live a world where AI - or artificial intelligence - is creeping into every corner of society.

Long gone are the days of predictive text or autocorrect being your only daily dalliance with an industry that was formerly resigned to the big screen or fiction.

Now, it’s in everything, and can do virtually everything, too - including, it seems, predict football results.

So, we asked X’s own AI, Grok, to get its crystal ball out and predict what would happen as Newcastle United take on Birmingham City at St Andrews in the fourth round of the FA Cup looking to make it a fine week, following on from the Carabao Cup semi-final demolition job of Arsenal in midweek. And here’s what it said.

The context

Eddie Howe is going to change players. He’s made that totally clear - and who can blame him after midweek, eh?

He said: “ We will have to make changes, it would be a difficult ask for those players to go again, physically and mentally. We don’t have a huge squad in terms of depth, we will give opportunities to other players, but they will have to take their chance. We will use the game to share the load. The guys that come in need to grab that opportunity.”

So, with that in mind - and I think we all know by now that Grok isn’t daft - it’s still edged towards an NUFC win.

It says: “Birmingham City have been in exceptional form in League One, leading the table and showing resilience with an 18-game unbeaten run across all competitions. Their key player, Jay Stansfield, who has been a significant signing for them, is likely to be a threat, especially after his impressive goal-scoring record this season. However, their record against Premier League teams in the FA Cup is not favourable, with no wins in their last 10 meetings.”

On the Magpies, it continues: “Coming off a strong performance in the EFL Cup semi-final against Arsenal, Newcastle have shown they can be formidable even with potential squad rotation due to their upcoming final. Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon have been pivotal in their attack this season, with Gordon particularly noted for his contributions in multiple competitions. Newcastle's away form has been excellent, winning their last five away games, which bodes well for their chances here.”

Prediction: BCFC ?? NUFC ??

AI thinks the Magpies will make it round five - and do so in narrow circumstances.

It’s predicting a 2-1 win for the much-changed visitors.

It says: “This match pits a high-flying League One team against a Premier League side with cup ambitions. While Birmingham City will look to leverage their home advantage and current form, Newcastle's depth and quality in attack could see them through, although not without Birmingham making the scoreline close with their spirited performance.”

Who will score in the match?

Without knowing the players who Howe will pick, it’s tough to say, but Grok has taken a punt on Lewis Miley and Callum Wilson to fire the Magpies into round five at St Andrews.

For the home side, Jay Stansfield, it says, will get on the scoresheet.