Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Takes On Singer Murs in Top Flight Predictions

Arsenal's 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global break, however will the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

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

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

The singer's latest record, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Football and Family Experiences

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several charity football games over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky 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 content not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football team," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a while too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun 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 be patient for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

Olly's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3

AI's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two matches - although 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 two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' only on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno was still Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

The guest's outlook: The home team are doing well but the visitors have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have surprised a several people under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.

A family member advised me to get Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely 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 success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at their stadium. The visitors will try to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's prediction: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually turns out to be rather 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 games.

Fulham have have lots of quality in their team but it still seems like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.

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

The away side's performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of October.

However I am not do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be extremely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Mark Miles
Mark Miles

A seasoned statistician and gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in probability theory and game strategy.

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