Football Analyst Sutton Battles Artist Olly Murs in Top Flight Forecasts
The Gunners' 10-game winning streak came to an end by Sunderland prior to the global break, but can the Premier League frontrunners recover against local foes 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 football specialist Chris Sutton.
"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.
In the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
Murs' latest album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.
Soccer and Family Experiences
Olly is a skilled soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.
"{I actually played in a benefit match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!
"I still love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly again.
"Additionally I am 41 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 child or son decides to play instead."
Murs and his wife Amelia Tank have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by taking on the role of their manager.
"I will not force football on our kids but I've already told my wife that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their Saturday football team," he added.
"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a period too.
"My dad did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He coached our team for several seasons and had great fun with it. That could be the future 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 fitness issues but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this fixture will be fairly close, though. Burnley are well organised and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.
This suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Olly's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3
AI's prediction: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which shocked me.
In contrast, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they appear strong again.
West Ham's sole on the road win this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's manager.
So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be the Hammers continuing their streak under their manager, or the home side responding?
I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.
The pundit's prediction: 2-0
Olly's outlook: The home team are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under their boss. 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the frontrunners for the drop before the season began, but they have surprised a several observers under their manager and are in good form with three wins in their past four games.
My son told me to get Brentford forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.
The forward will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.
They have not had much fortune on the road this season, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you think there is going to be a lot of goals but it actually turns out to be rather close. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.
Fulham have have lots of talent in their team but it nonetheless feels like they could be dragged into a relegation fight.
Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League season so far.
The away side's performance in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen 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 support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on opposing the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their good results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.
Looking at the home side's home record, the sole team they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
Olly's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a bad run... but they have still been decent at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
It is a tough one to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but could they be among the sides who profit from the {international break|