Football Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."

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

In week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

Murs' latest album, the new release, is out on Friday.

Football and Parenting Experiences

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky 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 happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't force football on our children but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to 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 side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly 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 inherited it. He managed our team for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this fixture will be fairly close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly 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 too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 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 absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, West Ham secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' only on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno was still that team's manager.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

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

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.

My son advised me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

They have not had much fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a danger.

Sutton'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 goals but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have got lots of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

As for Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

The away side's display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Considering the home side's home form, the only side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know the visitors are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Derrick Bright
Derrick Bright

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in gaming industry reviews and strategy development.