Soccer Analyst Sutton Takes On Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global break, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still manage to win."

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

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

The singer's latest record, Knees Up, is available on Friday.

Football and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not push football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football team," he said.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

The singer's prediction: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole away victory this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno was previously that team's coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 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 season started, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four games.

A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

The forward will likely 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 travel this term, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose 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 lot of goals but it actually turns out to be rather close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have have plenty of quality in their squad but it still seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the end of October.

However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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

Christine Walker
Christine Walker

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in the online casino industry, specializing in slot mechanics and player psychology.