Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions

The Gunners' 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but can the Premier League 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 boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

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

Football and Parenting Experiences

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt 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 uncertainty of the game means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Additionally I am 41 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 time that my child or boy chooses to play instead."

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

"I will not force football on our kids but I've already 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 probably be managing their weekend football team," he said.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our side for several years and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Premier League Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their attack is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' only away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was still Forest coach.

Therefore, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in good form with three in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Bees striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. The visitors will try to attack on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

Their display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the close of last month.

But I am not do that. Rather, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they evidently love to prove me wrong.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard one to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|

Lisa Thomas
Lisa Thomas

Lena Voss is a professional poker player and coach with over a decade of experience, specializing in tournament strategy and mental game techniques.