Football Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however can the Premier League frontrunners recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment 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 finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of multiple charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The 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 hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career 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 child or boy chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their weekend football side," he said.

"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 father coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

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

The expert's prediction: 1-2

The singer's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their previous couple matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear strong again.

West Ham's only on the road victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

Therefore, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four matches.

My son advised me to select Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland 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 last time they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.

But I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against 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.

Considering Fulham's home form, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know the visitors are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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