Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, but can the Premier League leaders bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

The singer's new record, the new release, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match 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 went on 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 even now hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my profession 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 gearing up for the moment that my child or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday soccer side," he added.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is now more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, however. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor 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 Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' sole away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno was previously that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - can West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

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

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their last four games.

My son advised me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

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

The Bees have not had great fortune on the road this season, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think 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 think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They have got lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.

Their display in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Rather, I really need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the only side they have lost to 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 points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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