Football Analyst Sutton Faces Off Against Singer Murs in Premier League Forecasts

The Gunners' ten-match victorious streak was ended by Sunderland prior to the global break, but will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

The singer's latest album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.

Football and Family Life

Murs is a skilled footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not intending a serious return as a player.

"{I actually played in a charity game the other night for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession 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 preparing for the time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have two children, Madison and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't force football on our kids but I've previously told my wife that if they do get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday football team," he added.

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

"My father coached with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Premier League Predictions

Saturday, 22 November

  • Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's return from injury but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be quite close, however. Burnley are well organised and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.

This smells of a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

The singer's prediction: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3

AI's prediction: 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 Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

The Hammers' only on the road victory this season came at Forest in the summer, when their manager Nuno was previously that team's coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly'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 favourites for the drop before the season began, but they have impressed a several observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four games.

A family member told me to get Brentford forward Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this term, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. Brentford will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's team pose much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's view: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually proves to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

  • Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

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

Their performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not seen anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this season, and they were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing Fulham up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the end of last month.

However I am not do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home record, the only side they have lost to is the league leaders. Marco Silva's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to predict they will secure three much-needed points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have nonetheless been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

  • Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|

Joseph Gill
Joseph Gill

Elara Vance is a tech analyst and digital strategist with over a decade of experience in emerging technologies and innovation consulting.