Soccer Analyst Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however can the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of guests.

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

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

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt 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 sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Additionally I am forty-one now, and we are not everyone is 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 wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've previously 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 probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a period too.

"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their attack is already stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple games - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear competitive again.

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

So, what on earth do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I am going to choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign started, but they have surprised a few people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their past four games.

My son told me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

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

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.

They have have lots of quality in their team but it still feels like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match 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 end of October.

However I am not do that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole side they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|