Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the international hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated football expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against AI, fans and a variety of guests.
For the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's new album, the new release, is out on the weekend.
Football and Parenting Life
Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 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 will!
"I continue to love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish 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 gearing up for the moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."
The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.
"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 likely be coaching their weekend soccer team," he said.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My father coached 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 a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Premier League Predictions
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by 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 fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's sole away win this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.
Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?
I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved 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 campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four games.
My son advised me to select Bees forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
The forward will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.
They have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
The singer's view: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality proves to be quite close. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.
Fulham have have lots of talent in their team but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.
Regarding Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of last month.
However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's home form, the sole team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|