Football Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions
Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global break, but can the English top division leaders recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?
"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, fans and a range of guests.
In the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
Murs' new record, the new release, is out on the weekend.
Football and Parenting Experiences
Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a serious return as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted 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 hurt 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 seriously again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or son decides to play instead."
Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.
"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their weekend football team," he said.
"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a while too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three seasons 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 may have to be patient for their star's return 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 tight, however. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
The expert's prediction: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their past two games - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.
West Ham's sole away win this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was still Forest manager.
Therefore, what on earth do I predict here - will it be the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?
I am going to choose the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign started, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.
My son advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
The forward will probably score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
The singer's prediction: This 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 prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six games.
Fulham have got lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.
As for the Black Cats, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.
The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.
However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I really need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.
Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the only side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be extremely 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
Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but could they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|