Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global break, but will the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

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

"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still manage 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.

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

Murs' new record, Knees Up, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Family Experiences

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side 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 hurt 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 game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession 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 daughter or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't push football on our children 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 manager qualifications - and I will likely be managing their Saturday football side," he said.

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

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this game will be quite close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

It 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 consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's only away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

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

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign started, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually turns out to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their team but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

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

The sensible thing to do to back the visitors here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|