Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however will the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.

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

The singer's latest record, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 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 will!

"I still love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their weekend soccer side," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a while too.

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. 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 looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

It smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear strong again.

West Ham's sole away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Villa was a blip.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

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

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign began, but they have surprised a several people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably score again on Saturday but I am still not going to select him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are consistently strong at their stadium. 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

Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually turns out to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have have lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the close of October.

However I am not do that. Rather, I really need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been decent at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but could they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|