Football Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global break, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still manage to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

The singer's latest album, the new release, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "The team 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 will!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Additionally I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't push football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their weekend football side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously was involved with a football club for a while too.

"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this fixture will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's sole on the road victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

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

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites 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 last four matches.

My son told 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 still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this season, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it actually turns out to be rather close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.

Regarding Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the end of last month.

But I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know the visitors are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|