Football Expert Chris Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
The Gunners' ten-match winning streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but can the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{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.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
The singer's new record, the new release, is out on the weekend.
Football and Parenting Life
Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious return as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My 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 hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport 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 preparing for the moment that my child or boy chooses to play instead."
The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.
"I won't force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday soccer team," he said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our team for several years and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Top Division Forecasts
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues may have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be quite close, however. Burnley are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
The singer's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their previous couple games - although 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 won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.
The Hammers' only on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously Forest manager.
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 Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four games.
A family member advised me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had much success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
The singer's prediction: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1
AI's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.
They have have lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.
As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly 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 really need to continue opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.
Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor run... but they have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|