Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but will the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," stated football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' latest record, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly 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 child or son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter 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 children but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the passion 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 watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

It suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

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

The Hammers' only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth 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 the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four matches.

My son advised me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great success on the travel this season, and Brighton are consistently decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality proves to be rather tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.

They have got lots of quality in their team but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of last month.

But I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard fixture to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|