Football Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global break, but can the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

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

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

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus AI, readers and a variety of guests.

For the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.

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

Football and Family Life

Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - 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 explained. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my career 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 preparing for the moment that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

The singer and his spouse his partner have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend soccer team," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a football club for a period too.

"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for several seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually 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

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 previous couple matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' sole on the road victory this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers continuing their run under Nuno, or the home side responding?

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

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have surprised a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their past four games.

My son advised me to select Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are always strong at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: This could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six games.

Fulham have have plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.

The away side's display in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We've not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not do that. Instead, I really need to continue opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Considering the home side's home record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

The guest's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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

Tyler Hall
Tyler Hall

A passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry.