Soccer Analyst Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international break, however will the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, fans and a variety of guests.

In the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

The singer's new record, the new release, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously 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 time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I will not push football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their weekend football team," he added.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team 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!"

Premier League Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their offense is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to win narrowly 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 outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

On the other hand, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole away win this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham continuing their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign began, but they have impressed a several people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their last four games.

A family member advised me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

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

The Bees have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We've not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the end of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's home form, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|