Football Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts
Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by Sunderland before the international hiatus, however will the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, readers and a range of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.
The singer's new album, Knees Up, is available on Friday.
Football and Family Life
Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My 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 will!
"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my child or boy decides to play instead."
The singer and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.
"I won't push football on our kids but I've previously told my wife 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 weekend soccer team," he said.
"I observed 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 probably where I inherited it. He managed our side for several seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Top Division Forecasts
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this game will be fairly close, though. Burnley are well organised and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.
This suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
On the other hand, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear strong again.
West Ham's sole on the road victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.
So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?
I will go with the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign began, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.
A family member advised me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.
The forward will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are always strong at their stadium. Brentford will try to attack on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a threat.
The analyst's forecast: 2-1
The singer's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.
They have have lots of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
Regarding Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
Their performance in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.
But I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently love to prove me wrong.
Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the sole side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|