Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but can the Premier League leaders bounce back 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," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against AI, fans and a range of guests.

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

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

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off 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 injured my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. 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 seriously again.

"Additionally I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I will not force 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 manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday soccer side," he added.

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

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their attack is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno was still Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. The visitors will try 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: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.

They have got plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

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

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

The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the end of last month.

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

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but they have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard one to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|