Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning streak was ended by Sunderland before the global hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

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

"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

The singer's new record, Knees Up, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Experiences

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded 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 even now hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Additionally 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 son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I will not force 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 Saturday soccer side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a period too.

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

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third 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

The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' sole on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno was still Forest manager.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

A family member told me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably score again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will try 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 view: It 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

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They have got plenty of quality in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

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

The away side's display in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I really need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

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

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know the visitors are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|