Soccer Expert Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global break, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."
Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, fans and a range of guests.
In week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
Murs' latest record, the new release, is available on the weekend.
Football and Family Life
Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, 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 knee 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 risky for me in my profession to do it seriously again.
"Additionally I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or boy decides to play instead."
The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.
"I won't force football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football team," he added.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned 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 coached our team for several seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Top Division Predictions
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.
The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously that team's coach.
So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I will choose the Cherries, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have surprised a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four matches.
My son advised me to get Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably score again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
They have not had much success on the travel this season, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six games.
Fulham have have lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.
Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.
Their display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.
The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of October.
But I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's home record, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
Olly's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a poor streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|
