Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham 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 game," stated football expert Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still manage to win."

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a range of guests.

For week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

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

Football and Family Experiences

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Additionally 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 preparing for the time that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not push football on our kids 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 coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football team," he added.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That could 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 might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's sole away victory this season came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

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 frontrunners for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.

A family member told me to get Bees striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

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

The Bees have not had much success on the road this season, and Brighton are consistently decent at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have got lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their display in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.

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

However I am not going to do that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering the home side's home record, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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