Football Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions
Arsenal's ten-match victorious streak was ended by the Black Cats before the international break, however can the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.
For week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's new record, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.
Football and Parenting Life
Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback 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 second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!
"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 all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."
Murs and his wife his partner 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 coach.
"I won't force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football side," he added.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three years 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 Predictions
Saturday, 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 stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.
It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they appear competitive again.
The Hammers' sole away victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.
So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?
I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.
My son told me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
The forward will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.
They have not had great success on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's view: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1
AI's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.
They have have lots of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.
Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to continue opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently love to prove me wrong.
Looking at the home side's home record, the sole side they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard one to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|