Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' 10-game victorious run came to an end by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, but can the English top division frontrunners bounce back against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, fans and a range of guests.

For week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

The singer's new album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a friend 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 will!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Additionally 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 preparing for the time that my child or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

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

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.

West Ham's only away victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.

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

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

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

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

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four games.

A family member told me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this term, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt 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

The singer's view: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually proves to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have got plenty of quality in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

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

Looking at Fulham's home form, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be extremely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

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

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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

Lisa Galloway
Lisa Galloway

A passionate storyteller and digital content creator with a background in creative writing and journalism.