🔗 Share this article

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run came to an end by the Black Cats before the global break, however will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Spurs this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," stated 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 team typically still manage to win."

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

In week 12, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

The singer's new album, Knees Up, is out on the weekend.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a skilled soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of multiple charity football matches down the years - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.

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

"I continue to love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously 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 time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife Amelia Tank have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is prepared to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their coach.

"I won't force football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will likely be coaching their Saturday soccer team," he said.

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

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I inherited it. He managed our side for several years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea might have to wait a bit longer for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now more potent with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.

I still think this game will be fairly close, though. The Clarets are well organised and their only home losses so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

It smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to choose Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their previous couple games - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the hiatus and, although both of those games were at home, they appear strong again.

West Ham's only on the road win this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in the summer, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was previously that team's manager.

So, what on earth do I go with here - can the Hammers continuing their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

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

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are doing well but West Ham have improved under Nuno. 2-2

AI's pick: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have surprised a few people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four games.

A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my fantasy soccer squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I ignored the advice.

The forward will probably score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or support the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much fortune on the road this term, and Brighton are consistently strong at home. The visitors will attempt to attack on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a threat.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: 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 quite close. 1-1

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a huge fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their last six games.

Fulham have have lots of quality in their squad but it nonetheless feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

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

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was excellent. We've not witnessed any other team disrupt the Gunners like that this season, and Sunderland were fully competitive for them.

The sensible thing would be to support the visitors here, because they are clearly able of roughing Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of October.

But I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to carry on going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently enjoy to prove me wrong.

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

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Olly's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a bad run... but Fulham have still been respectable at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough one to call. Liverpool have suffered seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but might they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|