Soccer Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game victorious run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the international hiatus, however will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against north London rivals Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a range of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new album, Knees Up, is out on Friday.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a star of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted 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 even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly 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 daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't force football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend football side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a football club for a while too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for their star'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, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their previous couple games - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season started, 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 Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

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

The Bees have not had much success on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently decent at home. Brentford will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton'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 goals but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.

They have got plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.

However I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the only side they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to say they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|