Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak came to an end by Sunderland before the international break, but will the English top division leaders bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

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

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."

Sutton 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 United supporter.

Murs' latest album, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Football and Family Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit game the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I still love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope 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.

"Additionally 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 gearing up for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't force football on our children 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 soccer side," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a while too.

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

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game 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 choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Olly's pick: The Blues will be superior. 1-3

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.

West Ham's sole on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their run under their manager, or the home side responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a several observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

My son told me to get Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

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

They have not had great fortune on the road this season, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton'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 scores but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six matches.

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

Regarding Sunderland, well they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

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

But I am not going to choose that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely 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 choice: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a poor streak... 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 tough fixture to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|