Football Analyst Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover 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 match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.

In week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

The singer's latest album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret 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 hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am 41 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 child 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 manager.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend soccer team," he added.

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

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for two or three years and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite tight, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear competitive again.

The Hammers' only away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

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

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their last four matches.

My son told me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

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

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.

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

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

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the close of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Considering the home side's home record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|