Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions
Arsenal's ten-match winning run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global break, but will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated football expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, readers and a range of guests.
For week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.
The singer's new album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!
"I continue to 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 game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.
"I won't force football on our kids but I've already told Amelia 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 added.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a period too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons 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 Forecasts
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be fairly close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.
West Ham's only on the road victory this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was still Forest manager.
So, what on earth do I predict here - can the Hammers continuing their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?
I am going to choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four matches.
My son advised me to get Bees striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
The forward will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will try to attack on the break but I feel the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
The singer's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.
They have got lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.
As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.
The away side's display in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.
The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.
But I am not going to do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.
Considering Fulham's home record, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|
