Football Analyst Chris Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by Sunderland before the international break, but will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

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

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 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 still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game 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 preparing for the time that my child or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

"I will not push football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our team for two or three seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's only away victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.

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

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

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

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

My son told me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

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

They have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six games.

Fulham have have lots of talent in their squad but it still seems 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.

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.

But I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be extremely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a poor run... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|