Football Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but can the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, versus AI, fans and a range of guests.

In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is available on the weekend.

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 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 want!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still isn't where I want it to be. 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.

"Additionally I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

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

"I will not push football on our kids 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 weekend soccer 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 period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might 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 attack is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this game will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

It smells of a one-all draw 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.

The expert's prediction: 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 lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously that team's coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under Nuno, or the home side responding?

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

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the campaign started, but they have impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.

My son told me to get Bees forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

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

They have not had much success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 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 tight. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.

They have have lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good results because they evidently love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|

John Elliott
John Elliott

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in casino strategy development and game mechanics.