Football Expert Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions
Arsenal's ten-match victorious run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global break, but will the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?
"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of guests.
For the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
The singer's new record, the new release, is out on Friday.
Soccer and Family Life
Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!
"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 unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously again.
"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."
The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.
"I will not push football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing 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 dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our team for two or three 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 Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.
The Hammers' only on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.
Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or the home side responding?
I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have surprised a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.
A family member told me to get Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
The forward will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had much success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be quite close. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.
Fulham have have lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team rough up 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 obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of October.
But I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good results because they evidently love to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.
The expert's forecast: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard one to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|