Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Singer Olly Murs in Premier League Forecasts
Arsenal's 10-game victorious streak came to an end by the Black Cats before the international break, but can the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," remarked football specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, readers and a range of guests.
For the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.
Football and Family Life
Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid games down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a footballer.
"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted 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 hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously again.
"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or boy decides to play instead."
Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.
"I will not force 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 coaching their Saturday football team," he added.
"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a period too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Top Division Predictions
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is now more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It suggests a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
West Ham's sole on the road victory this season came at Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.
Therefore, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham continuing their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth responding?
I will go with the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Villa was a anomaly.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have improved under their boss. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the campaign started, but they have surprised a few observers under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their last four matches.
My son advised me to select Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.
They have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. Brentford will attempt to attack on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality turns out to be quite close. 1-1
AI's outcome: 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 matches.
They have have lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.
As for the Black Cats, 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 superb. We've not witnessed any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The logical choice to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the close of October.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good results because they evidently love to prove me wrong.
Looking at the home side's home record, the sole side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been decent at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a hard fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|