Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts
The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division leaders bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus AI, readers and a range of guests.
In the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.
Murs' new record, Knees Up, is available on Friday.
Football and Family Experiences
Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a player.
"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My side 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 will!
"I still love football, but I hurt my knee 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 dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.
"I won't force football on our kids but I've previously 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 said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really 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 probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That could 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
The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their offense is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are well organised and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their past two matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, West Ham secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
West Ham's sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's coach.
So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or the home side responding?
I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four games.
A family member advised me to select Bees forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.
The forward will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or support the away side at Amex Stadium.
They have not had great success on the road this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six games.
They have have plenty of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
As for Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.
The away side's display in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the visitors here, because they are obviously able of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the close of October.
However I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to continue opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|