Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners 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 strategy for this match," stated soccer expert 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 AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

The singer's new album, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of multiple charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I still love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Plus 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 preparing for the moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our children but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion 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 really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our side for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

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

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

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

The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.

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

I am going to go with Bournemouth, 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 the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their last four games.

A family member told me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.

They have got plenty of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not do that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|

Benjamin Wright
Benjamin Wright

Lena is a tech journalist and gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience reviewing hardware and software.