Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions
Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the global 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 strategy for this match," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures 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, Knees Up, is out on Friday.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a serious return as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!
"I continue to love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the game 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 preparing for the time that my child or boy chooses to play instead."
The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.
"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 probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he added.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He coached our team for two or three seasons 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
Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this fixture will be quite tight, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their previous couple 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, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.
West Ham's sole away victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's coach.
Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their run under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
The guest's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign started, but they have surprised a several observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four games.
A family member told me to select Bees striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
The forward will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.
The Bees 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 the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1
The computer'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 last six matches.
They have got lots of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.
As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.
Their display in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.
The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.
However I am not choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's home form, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I know the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a poor streak... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough fixture to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|
