Football Expert Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Premier League Predictions
Arsenal's 10-game winning streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but will the Premier League leaders bounce back against north London rivals 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 football expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of guests.
For the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
Murs' new album, the new release, is out on Friday.
Football and Family Experiences
Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!
"I still love football, but I injured 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 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 content not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my child or boy chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, 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 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 likely be coaching their Saturday soccer side," he added.
"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three years and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Premier League Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
This smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
The singer's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by 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 games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
The Hammers' sole on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.
So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
The guest's outlook: The home team are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.
A family member advised me to get Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Olly's view: It could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.
Fulham have have lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.
Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
Their performance in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of October.
But I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly love to defy my predictions.
Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be extremely desperate for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|