Football Expert Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning streak came to an end by Sunderland before the global hiatus, however can the English top division frontrunners bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

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

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to 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 dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia 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 managing their Saturday soccer team," he said.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons and had great fun with it. That could 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

Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

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

It smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four matches.

A family member advised me to select Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the road this season, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.

They have have lots of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.

Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team disrupt the North London side 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 obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's home form, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|