Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game winning streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
Murs' new record, Knees Up, is out on Friday.
Football and Family Life
Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football 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 friend of mine," he explained. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!
"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 career to do it properly again.
"Additionally 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 preparing for the time that my child or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.
"I will not force football on our children but I've already told Amelia that if they do 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 observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.
"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for two or three years and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Premier League Forecasts
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this game will be fairly close, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.
The Hammers' only away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.
So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?
I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, 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 get Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.
Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.
The analyst's forecast: 2-1
The singer's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.
Fulham have got lots of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.
As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing to do to support the visitors here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.
But I am not choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently love to prove me wrong.
Looking at Fulham's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be extremely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
Olly's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard fixture to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|
