Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the global break, but will the Premier League frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.

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

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

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted 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 hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously 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 gearing up for the time that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I won't push 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 likely be managing their weekend football team," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a while 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 years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's sole away victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was still Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side responding?

I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

Sutton's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.

My son told me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at home. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

Fulham have got lots of quality in their team but it still seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

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

The away side's display in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We've not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the close of last month.

However I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|

Melissa Robertson
Melissa Robertson

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos, specializing in slot game mechanics and player psychology.