Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
The Gunners' ten-match victorious run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but can the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs 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," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of guests.
For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's new record, Knees Up, is available on Friday.
Soccer and Family Life
Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!
"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky 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 gearing up for the moment that my child or boy chooses to play instead."
The singer and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I will not push football on our kids but I've previously told my wife 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 side," he said.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He coached 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 may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be quite tight, however. Burnley are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.
West Ham's sole on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.
So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?
I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign started, but they have surprised a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four games.
My son advised me to get Bees forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.
The forward will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
They have not had great fortune on the road this season, and Brighton are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.
Fulham have got plenty of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.
Regarding Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.
The logical choice to do to support the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.
However I am not going to do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.
Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|