Soccer Expert Chris Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts
The Gunners' 10-game winning run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but will the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," 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 typically still manage to win."
The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against artificial intelligence, fans and a range of guests.
For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
The singer's latest record, the new release, is available on Friday.
Soccer and Family Experiences
Olly is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional comeback as a player.
"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "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 want!
"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 game means it's too dangerous 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 content not playing football and I am gearing up for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."
Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.
"I will not push football on our children but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he said.
"I watched 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 likely where I inherited it. He managed our team for two or three seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Top Division Predictions
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
The Blues might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is already stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.
In my opinion this fixture will be quite close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their sole home losses so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It suggests a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
Olly's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Bournemouth have been defeated in their previous couple games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they appear strong again.
The Hammers' sole on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was still that team's manager.
Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth responding?
I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.
Sutton's forecast: 2-0
Olly's prediction: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2
The algorithm's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four games.
My son advised me to select Bees striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.
Thiago will probably find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.
The Bees have not had great fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
Olly's view: This could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a many scores but it actually proves to be quite tight. 1-1
AI's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six games.
They have have plenty of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.
Regarding Sunderland, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed anyone else rough up the Gunners like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.
The logical choice would be to back the visitors here, because they are clearly able 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.
However I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to continue opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.
Looking at Fulham's home form, the only team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.
The expert's forecast: 1-0
Olly's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a hard one to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|