Football Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by Sunderland before the international hiatus, but will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."
The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.
For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's latest record, the new release, is out on the weekend.
Soccer and Parenting Experiences
Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a player.
"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I came off 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 hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously again.
"Additionally I am forty-one now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."
The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.
"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Premier League Forecasts
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues may have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this game will be quite close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
This suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
The expert's prediction: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's sole away victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno was still Forest coach.
Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?
I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a anomaly.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
The guest'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 favourites for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their last four games.
A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had great success on the road this term, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a danger.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 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.
Fulham have got lots of talent in their team but it nonetheless feels like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.
Regarding Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.
The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the end of last month.
But I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to continue opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.
Considering Fulham's home form, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.
The expert's forecast: 1-0
Olly's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad run... but they have still been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough fixture 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|