Football Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' 10-game victorious run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however can the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs 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," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest 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 term, versus AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

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

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my knee 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 risky 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 content not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my child or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be managing their weekend soccer team," he said.

"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 did it with us when I was a child, 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!"

Premier League Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be quite close, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two games - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, West Ham won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear competitive again.

The Hammers' only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 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 began, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are always decent at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six games.

They have got plenty of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

But I am not going to choose that. Rather, I really need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be extremely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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

Christopher Hendricks
Christopher Hendricks

A lighting design specialist with over a decade of experience in smart home integration and sustainable technology.