Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts

The Gunners' 10-game winning run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the international break, however will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?

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

"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus AI, readers and a variety of guests.

In the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

The singer's new album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "The side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded 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 even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Additionally I am forty-one 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 daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

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

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

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for several years and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Forecasts

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 stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

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

This smells of a one-all tie 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.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Olly's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which shocked me.

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

The Hammers' sole away victory this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

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

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 prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their last four games.

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

The forward will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

As for Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.

But I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|