Soccer Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global hiatus, but can the Premier League frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I believe like Arsenal are light years 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 attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating finest this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against artificial intelligence, fans and a variety of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.
The singer's latest record, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.
Soccer and Parenting Life
Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a benefit match the other night for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you will!
"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too dangerous for me in my profession to do it seriously 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 daughter or son chooses to play instead."
The singer and his spouse 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 children but I've already told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be managing their weekend football team," he added.
"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He coached our side for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"
Premier League Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
In my opinion this game will be quite tight, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.
It smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with 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: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple matches - although 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 secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's sole on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was previously Forest manager.
Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - will it be the Hammers continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?
I will go with the Cherries, because I think what happened against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are doing well but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the favourites for the drop before the season started, but they have impressed a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.
My son told me to select Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
Thiago will probably score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.
They have not had much success on the road this season, and Brighton are always strong at home. Brentford will try to attack on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
The singer's view: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a many goals but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1
The computer's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
It is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their past six games.
They have got lots of talent in their team but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.
Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.
Their display in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team rough up the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.
The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.
But I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they clearly love to prove me wrong.
Considering the home side's home record, the only side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be absolutely eager for a good result, so I am going to say they will secure 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 they have nonetheless been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough one to call. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be among the teams who profit from the {international break|