Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global break, however will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

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

"The Spurs manager will try to nullify 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 forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, readers and a range of guests.

For week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Family Experiences

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus 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 preparing for the moment that my child or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our children but I've already told my wife 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 Saturday soccer team," he said.

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

"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future 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 attack is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, however. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their run under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their past four matches.

My son told me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

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

They have not had great fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you think 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 squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

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

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|