🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's 10-game winning run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the international break, however can the English top division leaders recover against north London rivals Tottenham this Sunday?

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

"Frank will try to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's team typically still manage to win."

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

For week 12, he faces singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.

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

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of multiple charity football games over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a player.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "My team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the second half, 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 isn't where I want it to be. 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 properly again.

"Plus I am 41 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 daughter or son chooses to play instead."

Murs and his wife his partner have a young family, Madison and Albert, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by taking on the role of their manager.

"I won't push football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the bug for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will likely be managing their Saturday football side," he said.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I obviously was involved with a football club for a while too.

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

Top Division Forecasts

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to wait a bit longer for their star's return from injury but their attack is already stronger with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this fixture will be quite close, though. Burnley are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor losses 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 go with the London side to edge it for what would be their third consecutive Premier League win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

AI'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 surprised me.

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

West Ham's sole away victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest manager.

So, what exactly do I go with here - will it be the Hammers extending their streak under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I will choose Bournemouth, because I believe what occurred against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest'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

The Bees were seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the campaign began, but they have impressed a few people under their manager and are in good form with three in their past four matches.

A family member advised me to select Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

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

The Bees have not had great fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always strong at home. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.

The analyst's forecast: 2-1

Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it actually proves to be rather close. 1-1

AI's outcome: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

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

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

As for the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the Premier League campaign so far.

Their performance in the two-all tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not witnessed anyone else disrupt the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The logical choice to do to support the visitors here, because they are obviously capable of disrupting the hosts up too and, the last time they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the end of last month.

But I am not choose that. Rather, I really need to continue going against the away team with my forecasts. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their good outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole team they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be extremely desperate for a positive result, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a bad run... but they have nonetheless been decent at Craven Cottage this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

It is a tough fixture to predict. Liverpool have suffered seven of their last ten games in all competitions, but could they be one of the teams who profit from the {international break|