Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions
Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the international break, but will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?
"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a range of guests.
For week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
The singer's latest album, Knees Up, is available on Friday.
Soccer and Family Life
Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a player.
"{I actually played in a charity match the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!
"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly again.
"Additionally I am forty-one 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 time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."
The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I won't push football on our kids but I've already told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their Saturday soccer team," he added.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached 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!"
Top Division Forecasts
Weekend, 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 Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, however. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Olly's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look strong again.
The Hammers' sole away win this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.
So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or the home side responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.
A family member told me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.
They have not had much fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be rather tight. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.
They have got plenty of talent in their team but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
As for Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.
Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.
But I am not choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good results because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.
Considering Fulham's home record, the only side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
Olly's choice: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|