Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Premier League Forecasts
Arsenal's 10-game victorious streak came to an end by the Black Cats before the global break, but can the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this weekend?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.
For the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's latest record, the new release, is available on Friday.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 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 will!
"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint 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 game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession 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 happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my child or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I won't push football on our children but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday football side," he said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might 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
The Blues might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this fixture 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.
It suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
The expert's prediction: 1-2
The singer's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's only on the road victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.
So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be the Hammers continuing their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
The guest's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.
A family member advised me to get Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
They have not had much success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be quite close. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.
They have have plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.
Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.
Their display in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the close of October.
However I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.
Looking at the home side's home record, the only team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will secure three points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|