Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Premier League Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by Sunderland prior to the international break, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of special visitors.

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

The singer's latest album, the new release, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Experiences

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt 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 career 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 gearing up for the time that my child or boy chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I will not push football on our kids 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 coaching their weekend soccer side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our side for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this game will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two games - 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, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.

West Ham's only away victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four matches.

A family member advised me to select Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score 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 travel this season, and the Seagulls are always decent at home. The visitors will try to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They have got plenty of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the close of last month.

But I am not choose that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|