Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run came to an end by Sunderland before the international hiatus, however will the Premier League leaders bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new record, the new release, is available on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously 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 moment that my child or boy decides to play instead."

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

"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told my wife 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 team," he added.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a while too.

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

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might 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 Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear competitive again.

The Hammers' only away victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno was still Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be the Hammers continuing their run under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: 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 considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.

My son told me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great fortune on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have got lots of talent in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's home form, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be extremely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard one to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|