Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning streak was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, however can the English top division leaders recover 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 football specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, readers and a range of guests.

In the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

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

Football and Family Life

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My team was losing 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 want!

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

"Plus I am 41 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 time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't 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 probably be coaching their Saturday football side," he added.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He coached our team for two or three years 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

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this fixture will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries 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.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's only away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously that team's manager.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

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

The algorithm's pick: 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 people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their last four games.

My son advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the road this season, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

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

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team rough up the North London side 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 the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland 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

The algorithm's prediction: 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 sides who benefit from the {international break|