Soccer Expert Sutton Takes On Singer Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match winning streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however can the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a range of special visitors.

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

Murs' new album, Knees Up, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too dangerous 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 happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or boy chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't push football on our children 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 coaching their weekend football side," he added.

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

"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

The singer's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest manager.

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

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign started, but they have surprised a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.

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

The forward will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.

They have not had great success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality proves to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

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

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats 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 end of October.

However I am not do that. Rather, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home form, the only team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|