Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by Sunderland before the global break, however will the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this weekend?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt 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."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a variety of guests.
In week 12, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
The singer's latest record, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.
Football and Family Life
Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a star of several charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a serious return as a player.
"{I recently played in a charity match the other night 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 continue to love football, but I hurt 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 dangerous for me in my career to do it properly again.
"Additionally I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my child or son chooses to play instead."
The singer and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and their son, 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 already told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend soccer team," he said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Top Division Forecasts
Saturday, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their offense is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their sole home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.
This smells of a 1-1 draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
Sutton's forecast: 1-2
Olly's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by 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 fixtures were at home, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's sole on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno was still Forest coach.
Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
The guest's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season started, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.
A family member advised me to select Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.
Thiago will likely find the net again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this term, and the Seagulls are always decent at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a danger.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
The singer's view: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of goals but it in reality turns out to be rather close. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a massive game for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.
They have have lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.
As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team rough up the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they beat Chelsea at the close of last month.
But I am not going to choose that. Instead, I really need to carry on going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.
Looking at Fulham's home form, the only side they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a poor streak... but Fulham have still been decent at home this season. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a hard fixture to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|