Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Forecasts

Arsenal's ten-match victorious streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but can the English top division leaders bounce back against north London rivals Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are light years 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 attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still find a way to win."

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

Murs' latest record, the new release, is out on Friday.

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a player.

"{I actually played in a benefit match the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it seriously 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 son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

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

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

"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team 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

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for their star's comeback from injury but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this game will be quite close, however. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

It suggests a one-all 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

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

  • Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - albeit both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

In contrast, West Ham secured back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.

West Ham's sole away win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

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

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

  • Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were seen as one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four games.

My son told me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

The forward will likely find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

Olly's view: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six matches.

Fulham have got lots of talent in their team but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the surprise package of the top flight campaign so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal 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 fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the visitors here, because they are clearly capable of disrupting Fulham up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

However I am not going to choose that. Rather, I truly need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's home form, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Theresa Nielsen
Theresa Nielsen

A certified financial planner with over 15 years of experience in investment banking and personal wealth management.