Soccer Expert Sutton Battles Artist Murs in Top Flight Predictions
The Gunners' 10-game victorious streak was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global break, however can the English top division frontrunners recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," remarked soccer expert Chris Sutton.
"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still find a way to win."
The analyst is forecasting results for all 380 Premier League games this term, against AI, readers and a variety of guests.
For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United supporter.
The singer's new album, Knees Up, is available on the weekend.
Football and Family Experiences
Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a professional comeback as a player.
"{I recently played in a charity game the other night for a mate of mine," he said. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted 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 hurt my knee a few years ago and it still 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 profession to do it properly again.
"Plus I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the moment that my child or son decides to play instead."
The singer and his spouse his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to emulate his dad by becoming their manager.
"I will not push football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be managing their Saturday football team," he said.
"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a while too.
"My father coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our team for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Premier League Forecasts
Weekend, 22 November
- Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT
Chelsea may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their offense is now more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this fixture will be quite tight, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their only home defeats so far have been against the Reds and the Gunners.
It smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to choose the London side to win narrowly for what would be their third league win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's pick: Chelsea will be superior. 1-3
AI's outlook: 0-2
- Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT
The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - although both of them were away - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.
In contrast, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.
West Ham's only on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.
So, what exactly do I go with here - can West Ham extending their streak under their manager, or the home side bouncing back?
I am going to go with Bournemouth, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.
The pundit's forecast: 2-0
The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-1
- Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT
Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few observers under their manager and are in fine fettle with three in their past four games.
A family member advised me to get Bees forward Thiago in my fantasy soccer team a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.
The forward will probably score again on Saturday but I am still not going to pick him or support Brentford at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had great success on the travel this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. The visitors will attempt to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's side pose much more of a threat.
Sutton's forecast: 2-1
The singer's view: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality turns out to be quite tight. 1-1
The computer's outcome: 2-1
- Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT
This is a massive game for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.
They have have lots of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a relegation battle.
As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.
The away side's display in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was superb. We have not seen anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The logical choice to do to back the visitors here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat Chelsea at the end of last month.
However I am not going to do that. Rather, I truly need to carry on opposing Sunderland with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.
Looking at Fulham's home form, the sole team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.
Sutton's forecast: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and also that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0
AI's outlook: 2-0
- Anfield, 15:00 GMT
This is a tough one to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|