Football Expert Chris Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game victorious streak was ended by Sunderland before the global hiatus, but can the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{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 specialist Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.

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

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

Soccer and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded 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 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 preparing for the time that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing 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 football club for a period too.

"My father 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

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be fairly close, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole home defeats 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 win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, West Ham secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.

West Ham's only away win this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign began, but they have impressed a several observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four games.

My son told me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably score again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you expect 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

This is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six games.

Fulham have have lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.

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

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are obviously able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of last month.

However I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home form, the only team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

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

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but could they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|