Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match winning run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global break, however will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?

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

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

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a range of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their Saturday football side," he said.

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

"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

On the other hand, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look strong again.

West Ham's only away win this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are doing well but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their past four games.

My son told me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's side carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.

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

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the end of October.

However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

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

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|