Football Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game victorious streak came to an end by the Black Cats before the global break, however can the Premier League frontrunners 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," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, fans and a variety of guests.
In the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.
Murs' new album, Knees Up, is available on Friday.
Soccer and Family Life
Olly is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not planning a serious return as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, 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 still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it properly 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 preparing for the time that my child or son decides to play instead."
Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.
"I won't force football on our kids but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be managing their Saturday football team," he said.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.
"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our side for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could 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 may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this game will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
This suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, West Ham secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.
West Ham's sole away victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously Forest coach.
Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their last four games.
A family member advised me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
The forward will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.
They have not had great success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It 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 rather close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six matches.
Fulham have got plenty of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.
As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
Their performance in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the close of last month.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.
Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
Olly's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|