Soccer Analyst Sutton Takes On Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by Sunderland before the international break, but will the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still manage to win."

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

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

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

Football and Family Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I still love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Additionally I am 41 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 decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't push 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 managing their Saturday soccer team," he added.

"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a football club for a period too.

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

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be quite close, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their previous couple matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

West Ham's only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Bees forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team 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 select him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. The visitors will try to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have got plenty of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

Their display in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen any other team rough up 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 able of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the end of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good results because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's home form, the only team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely desperate for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard one to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|