Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
Arsenal's ten-match victorious streak was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but can the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," stated soccer expert 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."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of special visitors.
In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
The singer's latest album, Knees Up, is out on Friday.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!
"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it properly again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."
The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.
"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football side," he said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.
"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Top Division Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be quite close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.
It suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.
West Ham's only on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.
So, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?
I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly 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 season began, but they have impressed a several observers under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.
A family member advised me to select Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
They have not had much success on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to attack on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler'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 think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality proves to be rather tight. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.
Fulham have have lots of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.
As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
The away side's performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable 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 choose that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive results because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|