Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, however can the Premier League frontrunners recover 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 strategy for this match," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, readers and a range of guests.

For the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

The singer's latest album, the new release, is available on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Experiences

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

"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint 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 sport means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously 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 daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't push football on our kids 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 coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their Saturday football team," he added.

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

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three 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 Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be fairly close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

On the other hand, West Ham secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' only away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was still that team's manager.

Therefore, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

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

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four games.

A family member advised me to get Bees striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite 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.

They have have lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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