Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Olly Murs in Premier League Predictions

The Gunners' 10-game winning streak came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but can the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's team usually still find a way to win."

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

In the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

The singer's latest record, the new release, is available on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Life

Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid games over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, 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 still isn't where I want it to be. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly 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 gearing up for the moment that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.

"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told Amelia 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 weekend football side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a while too.

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this game will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

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

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they do look strong again.

West Ham's only away victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are doing well but West Ham 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 began, but they have impressed a several observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their past four matches.

My son advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

The forward will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

They have not had great success on the road this term, and Brighton are always decent at home. The visitors will try to attack on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Olly's view: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They have have plenty of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.

The away side's display in the two-all tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not seen any other team rough up 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 Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of October.

However I am not going to do that. Rather, 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 evidently love to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are performing strongly and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but they have still been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture 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|

Jesse Bennett
Jesse Bennett

A seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in casino gaming, specializing in slot machine mechanics and strategic betting approaches.