Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

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

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still manage to win."

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

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

The singer's new record, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, 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 hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I will not force 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 coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their weekend soccer side," he said.

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

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our team for two or three 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

Saturday, 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 already stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's sole away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under their manager, or the home side responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.

My son advised me to select Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great success on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.

They have got lots of quality in their squad but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

Regarding Sunderland, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League season so far.

Their performance in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

But I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently love to prove me wrong.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|

Shannon Kemp
Shannon Kemp

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