Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions
Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus AI, fans and a variety of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
The singer's new album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not intending a serious return as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!
"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly 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 son decides to play instead."
The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.
"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be managing their weekend football team," he said.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a while too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our side for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Top Division Predictions
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be quite close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.
This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's prediction: 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 - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
The Hammers' only away win this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest manager.
So, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2
The algorithm's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign began, but they have impressed a several people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.
A family member told me to get Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.
The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.
They have not had much success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.
They have have plenty of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.
As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
Their performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be 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 defeated the Blues at the end of October.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.
Considering the home side's home form, the only team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
The algorithm's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but could they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|