Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, but can the English top division leaders bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

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

"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, 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 latest album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 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 still love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport 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 preparing for the moment that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I won't force 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 coaching their Saturday soccer side," he said.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously 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 managed our side for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

The singer's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, West Ham secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their run under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

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

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign started, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.

My son told me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

Fulham have got lots of quality in their team but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

Their display in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We've 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 Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the close of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad run... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|