Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international break, however can the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

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

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to 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 uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be managing their Saturday football team," he said.

"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 coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

It smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

The singer's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's manager.

So, what exactly do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their run under their manager, or the home side responding?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

The forward will likely find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great success on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. The visitors will attempt to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1

The computer'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 matches.

They have have lots of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do 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 beat Chelsea at the end of last month.

However I am not going to do that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a good result, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|