Football Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's ten-match winning run was ended by the Black Cats before the international hiatus, but will the English top division leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

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

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

The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus AI, readers and a variety of special visitors.

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

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

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple charity football games down the years - but he is not planning a professional return as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 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 still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now 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 career to do it properly again.

"Plus 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 time that my child or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not push football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their Saturday soccer side," he said.

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

"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years 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

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

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

It smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their past two games - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.

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

So, what on earth do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or the home side responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's prediction: The home team are doing well but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

A family member advised me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: It could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.

They have have plenty of quality in their squad 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 Premier League season so far.

The away side's display in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

But I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.

Considering the home side's at Craven Cottage record, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

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

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard one to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be among the sides who benefit from the {international break|

Nicholas Sanders
Nicholas Sanders

Elara Vance is a seasoned international business strategist with over 15 years of experience advising multinational corporations on market expansion and risk management.

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