Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game victorious run came to an end by Sunderland before the international break, however will the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated football specialist Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.

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

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

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off 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 joint a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Plus I am forty-one 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 moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not push football on our children but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their Saturday football team," he added.

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

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our side for several years and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited 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 attack is now stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite tight, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

The singer's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's only on the road win this season came at Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be the Hammers continuing their run under their manager, or the home side responding?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

The guest's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.

My son told me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

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

AI's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be extremely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|

Julia Marshall
Julia Marshall

A life coach and writer passionate about helping others unlock their potential through mindfulness and actionable strategies.

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