Soccer Expert Sutton Takes On Artist Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' 10-game winning run came to an end by Sunderland before the international hiatus, but can the English top division leaders bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy 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 side usually still manage to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

Murs' new record, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team 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 want!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt 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 sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly again.

"Plus 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 time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank 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 manager.

"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do 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 team," he said.

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

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their only home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

This suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am in fact going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Olly's prediction: 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 - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - will it be the Hammers continuing their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

The guest's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their last four matches.

A family member told me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

Thiago will probably score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

They have not had much success on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six games.

They have have plenty of talent in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.

As for Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts 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. Rather, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

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

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to predict. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|

David Armstrong
David Armstrong

A seasoned gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casino trends and player strategies.