Football Expert Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, however will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated football specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still manage to win."

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

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

Murs' latest record, Knees Up, is out on Friday.

Football and Family Experiences

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish 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 all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend football team," he said.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team 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 Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or the home side responding?

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

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

The guest's prediction: The home team are doing well but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have surprised a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their last four matches.

A family member told me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are consistently 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 threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's view: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it actually proves to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have have plenty of talent in their team but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

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

Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the end of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's home form, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Shannon Smith
Shannon Smith

Elara Vance is a tech writer and innovation strategist passionate about exploring disruptive ideas and future trends.