Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but will the Premier League leaders bounce back against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert 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 find a way to win."

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

For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret 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 hope 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 everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't push 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 managing their weekend soccer 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 while too.

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

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their attack is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

The singer's prediction: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple 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 won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' sole away victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their past four matches.

A family member advised me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this season, and Brighton are always strong at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 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 past six matches.

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

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their display in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice to do 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 defeated Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not choose that. Rather, I really need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Looking at Fulham's home record, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|