🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's ten-match winning run came to an end by the Black Cats prior to the global break, but can the Premier League leaders recover against north London rivals Spurs this Sunday?

"{I believe like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked soccer 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 typically still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, readers and a range of special visitors.

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

Murs' latest record, the new release, is out on Friday.

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football games over time - but he is not planning a serious comeback as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!

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

"Additionally 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 daughter or boy decides to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have two children, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their coach.

"I won't force football on our kids 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 soccer side," he said.

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

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our team for several seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's return from fitness issues but their offense is now stronger with Joao Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their only at Turf Moor losses so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This suggests a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have been defeated in their past two games - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers secured two in a row before the hiatus and, although both of those fixtures were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' sole away win this season came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their run under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

I am going to choose the Cherries, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have improved under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the favourites for the drop 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 matches.

My son advised me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

The forward will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support Brentford at Brighton's ground.

The Bees have not had much success on the travel this season, and Brighton are always strong at home. The visitors will try to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's view: This could be one of those games where you think there is going to be a many scores but it actually proves to be quite close. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

Fulham have got plenty of quality in their squad but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone fight.

As for the Black Cats, well they are the unexpected success of the top flight campaign so far.

Their performance in the two-all draw with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We have not seen any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and they were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the close of last month.

But I am not choose that. Instead, I really need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am taking a lot of credit for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to prove me wrong.

Looking at Fulham's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be extremely eager for a positive result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that Fulham are on a poor streak... but they have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a hard fixture to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 games in every tournament, but might they be one of the sides who profit from the {international break|