Soccer Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Premier League Forecasts

Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but can the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

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

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still manage to win."

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

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

Murs' new album, Knees Up, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on 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 even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly 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 child or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I will not push football on our kids 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 managing their Saturday soccer side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That could 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 attack is now stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually 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 outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be the Hammers continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

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

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

My son told me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

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

They have not had much fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's team pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have got lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

As for Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of last month.

But I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that Fulham are on a poor streak... but they have nonetheless been decent at home this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|