Football Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak was ended by Sunderland before the global break, however will the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a range of guests.

For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Football and Family Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "My side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now 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 gearing up for the moment that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I will not push football on our children but I've already told my wife 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 managing their Saturday soccer side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our team 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!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

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

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, West Ham won 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 on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

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

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their last four games.

A family member told me to get Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely 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 term, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1

AI'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 plenty of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their display in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of October.

However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's home form, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|