Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international break, but will the Premier League leaders recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

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

"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, fans and a variety of special visitors.

In week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

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

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I still love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Additionally I am forty-one now, and we are not everyone is 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 chooses to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I won't 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 manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole home 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 choose 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 pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 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, West Ham secured back-to-back victories 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 victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was previously Forest manager.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their last four games.

My son told me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six games.

Fulham have got plenty of quality 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 surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole side they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but might they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|