🔗 Share this article

The Gunners' ten-match victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, but will the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Spurs this weekend?

"{I feel like Arsenal are light years ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs boss Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this match," stated football specialist Chris Sutton.

"Frank will try to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling finest 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, fans and a range of guests.

For the twelfth round, he faces performer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

The singer's latest record, the new release, is available on Friday.

Football and Parenting Life

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished artist and has been a star of several Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he said. "The team was losing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, and they proceeded 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 hope I could play more but the uncertainty of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it seriously again.

"Plus I am forty-one now, and we are not all Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my child or son chooses to play instead."

The singer and his wife his partner have a young family, Madison 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 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 probably be coaching their Saturday soccer side," he added.

"I watched my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly was involved with a soccer team for a period too.

"My father did it with us when I was a child, which is likely where I inherited it. He managed our side for two or three years and had great fun with it. That might be the future for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues might have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from fitness issues but their attack is now stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole home defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am actually going to choose Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's forecast: 1-2

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

AI's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Bournemouth have lost their past two matches - albeit both of them were on the road - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look competitive again.

West Ham's sole on the road win this campaign came at Forest in August, when West Ham boss Nuno was still that team's coach.

Therefore, what exactly do I go with here - will it be West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or the home side responding?

I am going to choose Bournemouth, because I think what occurred against Aston Villa was a anomaly.

The pundit's prediction: 2-0

The guest's prediction: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up 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 started, but they have impressed a several observers under their manager and are in good form with three in their last four matches.

A family member advised me to get Bees forward Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I ignored the advice.

Thiago will likely score again on the weekend but I am nonetheless not going to select him or back the away side at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much fortune on the travel this season, and Brighton are consistently strong at their stadium. The visitors will try to hit them on the counter-attack but I feel the home manager's side carry much more of a danger.

Sutton's forecast: 2-1

The singer's prediction: This could be one of those games 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

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

Fulham have have plenty of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

As for Sunderland, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.

The away side's performance in the two-all draw with Arsenal last time out was excellent. We have not witnessed any other team disrupt the North London side like that this season, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated the Blues at the end of October.

But I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the only team they have lost to is Arsenal. Marco Silva's side will be extremely desperate for a good result, so I am going to predict they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and additionally that the hosts are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to call. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but might they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|