Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
Arsenal's ten-match winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but will the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."
Sutton is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.
For the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.
The singer's latest record, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.
Football and Family Experiences
Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a star of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "My team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into 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 seriously again.
"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."
Murs and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I will not push football on our children but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to 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 team," he said.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Premier League Forecasts
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their offense is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this game will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.
This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
On the other hand, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
West Ham's only away win this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno was previously that team's coach.
So, what exactly do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
The guest's prediction: The home team 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 seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.
A family member advised me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had great success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are always decent at home. The visitors will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's prediction: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality proves to be rather close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six matches.
They have got lots of talent in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.
As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
Their display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of last month.
However I am not choose that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.
Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a good result, so I am going to say they will secure three points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|
