Soccer Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
The Gunners' 10-game winning run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but will the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of guests.
In the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
Murs' new record, Knees Up, is out on Friday.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!
"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously 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 preparing for the time that my child or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he added.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a while too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Top Division Forecasts
Saturday, 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 already more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two games - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
The Hammers' only away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.
Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham 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 several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.
A family member told me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably score again on Saturday but I am still not going to select him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.
They have not had much fortune on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think the home manager'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 think there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be quite close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.
Fulham have got lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.
As for Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.
The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the close of last month.
However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.
Considering the home side's home record, the only side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough fixture to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but could they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|