Soccer Expert Sutton Faces Off Against Artist Murs in Premier League Predictions
Arsenal's 10-game winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the international hiatus, but can the English top division leaders bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated soccer expert 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 side usually still manage to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, readers and a range of special visitors.
In week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
Murs' new album, the new release, is out on the weekend.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a star of multiple charity football matches over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.
"{I actually played in a charity game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "My team 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 injured my joint a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. 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 properly again.
"Plus 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 boy decides to play instead."
Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.
"I won't push 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 coaching their weekend soccer team," he added.
"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad coached with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our team for two or three years and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Premier League Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is now more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.
I still think this game will be fairly close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole home defeats so far have been against the Reds 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 consecutive league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their past two games - albeit both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, West Ham secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look strong again.
The Hammers' only on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.
Therefore, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers extending their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?
I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Aston Villa was a anomaly.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2
AI's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, but they have surprised a few people under their manager and are in good form with three in their last four games.
A family member told me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to select him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had much fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to attack on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.
The analyst'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 actually proves to be rather tight. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.
They have got plenty of quality in their squad but it still seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
Regarding Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal 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 fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing would be to back the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of October.
But I am not do that. Rather, I really need to continue opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.
Looking at the home side's home form, the sole team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely desperate for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
The expert's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware Sunderland are performing strongly and additionally that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0
The algorithm's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to call. Liverpool have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|