Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

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

"The Spurs manager will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"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 unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous 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 son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

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

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really 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 kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our team for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their offense is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

Olly's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's only on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

A family member advised me to get Bees striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to select him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are always strong at their stadium. Brentford will try to attack on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's view: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have got lots of quality in their team but it still feels like they could be sucked into a relegation fight.

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

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of October.

But I am not going to do that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's home record, the only side they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have still been decent at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|