Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts

The Gunners' 10-game winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats before the international break, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{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 football specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

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

For week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

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

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded 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 isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am 41 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 child or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I won't push football on our children 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 manager qualifications - and I will probably be managing their weekend soccer side," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. 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 looking forward to it!"

Premier League Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Olly's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' sole away victory this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was still Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four matches.

My son told me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. The visitors will try to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.

Fulham have have plenty of talent in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

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

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie 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 logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of last month.

But I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's home record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know the visitors are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Maria Barrera
Maria Barrera

Periodista especializada en tecnología y futurismo, con más de una década de experiencia cubriendo avances innovadores.