🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats before the global break, however will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.

"Frank will attempt to neutralize 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 games this term, versus artificial intelligence, readers and a range of guests.

In the twelfth round, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

Murs' new album, the new release, is available on Friday.

Soccer and Family Experiences

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a serious return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my knee a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my career to do it properly again.

"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my daughter or son decides to play instead."

The singer and his spouse Amelia Tank have a young family, Madison and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I will not force football on our kids 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 soccer side," he said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously was involved with a soccer team for a while too.

"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for several years and had great fun with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Delap both returned to fitness.

In my opinion this game will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am in fact going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

The singer's pick: Chelsea will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they appear strong again.

West Ham's sole on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest manager.

Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham 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 relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three in their last four games.

A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Igor Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.

The forward will probably find the net again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or back the away side at Amex Stadium.

The Bees have not had great success on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be a match where you think there is going to be a many scores but it in reality proves to be quite close. 1-1

The computer's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

They 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.

Their display in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal last time out was superb. We have not seen any other team disrupt the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

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

However I am not do that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their good results because they evidently enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

Sutton's forecast: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I know the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but could they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|