Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, however will the Premier League leaders bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.

In week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is available on Friday.

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't force football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football side," he added.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are well organised and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' only away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in good form with three in their last four matches.

My son advised me to select Bees striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's side carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

They have got lots of quality in their team but it still seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

The away side's display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the visitors here, because they are obviously able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but could they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|