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

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

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

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

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

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night 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 read into that what you will!

"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 game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus 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."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend soccer side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a football club for a period 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 years and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This 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 consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' only away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.

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

Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.

They have not had great success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

The away side's display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. 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 to do to back the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

But I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a positive outcome, 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'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but could they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|

Theresa White
Theresa White

A dedicated film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in indie cinema and blockbuster analysis.