Soccer Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, however can the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.

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

The singer's latest album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My side was trailing 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 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 risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.

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

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

"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told my wife 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 weekend soccer team," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned 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 managed our team for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their offense is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

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

West Ham's only away victory this season came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

My son told me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad 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 support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to attack on the break but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have have lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

Regarding Sunderland, 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 superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice would be 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 beat the Blues at the end of October.

But I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive 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 Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|

Margaret Garcia
Margaret Garcia

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos and slot machine mechanics.