Football Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, however will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.

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

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

In the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

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

Soccer and Family Life

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I injured 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 uncertainty of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus I am forty-one 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 moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, 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 already told my wife 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 managing their Saturday football side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our side for two or three seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are well organised and their sole home losses so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

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

The expert's forecast: 1-2

Olly's prediction: 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 - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, West Ham won two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear strong again.

The Hammers' only on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four games.

My son told me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great success on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think the home manager's team pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have have lots of talent in their team but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their display in the 2-2 draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only side they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's choice: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's outlook: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Morgan Harper
Morgan Harper

A tech journalist and digital strategist with over a decade of experience covering emerging technologies and their impact on society.