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

The Gunners' ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, but will the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

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

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."

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

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

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

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 matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, 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 joint 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 career to do it seriously again.

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

The singer and his spouse his partner have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not force football on our children but I've already told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their weekend football team," he added.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously owned a football club for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for several seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the next step 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 attack is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

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

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which shocked me.

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

West Ham's only on the road win this season came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

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

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

My son told me to select Bees forward Igor 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 Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

Fulham have got lots of talent in their team but it still seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

As for Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.

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

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|

Kayla Hernandez
Kayla Hernandez

Mira Thorne is a web infrastructure specialist with over a decade of experience in cloud computing and hosting solutions.