Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, but can the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a range of guests.

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

Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"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 sport means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my child or son decides to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not push football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be managing their weekend football side," he said.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years 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 Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

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

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's only away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign began, but they have surprised a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.

A family member advised me to get Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to attack on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They have got lots of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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

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