Football Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

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

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

Murs' new record, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Football and Family Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Additionally 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 moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of 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 likely be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be quite tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' only on the road victory this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I will choose the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season started, but they have surprised a several observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.

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

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 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 actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

They have have plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the only side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have still been decent at home this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|