Soccer Analyst Chris Sutton Battles Singer Murs in Premier League Predictions

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but can the English top division frontrunners recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy 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 season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still find a way to win."

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

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

The singer's latest record, Knees Up, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a footballer.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The side was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I still love football, but I hurt my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession 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 gearing up for the moment that my child or son decides to play instead."

Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend soccer side," he said.

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

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for several seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this fixture will be quite tight, though. The Clarets are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two 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 two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's sole on the road victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?

I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 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 impressed a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

My son advised me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's team carry much more of a threat.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

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

The computer's prediction: 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 games.

They have got lots of talent in their squad but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a relegation battle.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team disrupt the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.

But I am not do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good results because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's home form, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know the visitors are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to call. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but might they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|

Erica Gonzales
Erica Gonzales

Lena is a seasoned gambling analyst with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and sports betting platforms.