🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's 10-game victorious run was ended by the Black Cats prior to the global hiatus, however can the English top division leaders recover against local foes Spurs this weekend?

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

"Frank will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side usually still manage to win."

The analyst is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this term, versus AI, fans and a range of special visitors.

For the twelfth round, he takes on performer Olly Murs, who is a United fan.

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

Football and Parenting Life

Olly is a talented soccer player as well as a accomplished artist and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - but he is not planning a professional return as a player.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "The team was trailing 3-1 when I came off in the 60th minute, and they proceeded to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you want!

"I still love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it still hasn't fully recovered. I hope I could play more but the unpredictability of the sport means it's too risky for me in my profession to do it properly 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 moment that my daughter 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 coach.

"I will not force football on our kids but I've already told Amelia that if they do 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 said.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I obviously owned a football club for a while too.

"My dad did it with us when I was a kid, which is probably where I get it from. He managed our side for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the future for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Predictions

Weekend, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

The Blues may have to be patient for Cole Palmer's comeback from injury but their attack is already more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly close, however. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and Arsenal.

It suggests a 1-1 tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to win narrowly for what would be their third consecutive league win in a row.

The expert's prediction: 1-2

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

AI's outlook: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Cherries have lost their past two games - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Villa last time out which shocked me.

In contrast, the Hammers secured back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.

West Ham's sole on the road victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their boss Nuno was previously Forest coach.

So, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers continuing their streak under Nuno, or the home side responding?

I will go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Aston Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

The guest's outlook: 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 seen as one of the favourites for relegation before the season began, but they have surprised a several people under Keith Andrews and are in good form with three wins in their past four matches.

A family member told me to get Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago and, guess what, I didn't listen.

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

They have not had much success on the travel this term, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. The visitors will attempt to attack on the counter-attack but I think the home manager's side pose much more of a threat.

The analyst's prediction: 2-1

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

The computer's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a huge fixture for the Cottagers, who have suffered defeat in five of their last six games.

Fulham have have lots of quality in their team but it nonetheless seems like they could be dragged into a drop zone fight.

Regarding the Black Cats, indeed they are the unexpected success of the top flight season so far.

Their performance in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed anyone else disrupt the North London side like that this term, and they were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to back the Black Cats here, because they are obviously capable of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of October.

However I am not going to do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against the away team with my predictions. I am taking a lot of responsibility for their positive results because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's home form, the sole team they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's team will be extremely desperate for a positive outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three points.

The expert's prediction: 1-0

The guest's prediction: I know Sunderland are doing well and also that the hosts are on a poor run... but Fulham have nonetheless been decent at home this campaign. 2-0

The algorithm's prediction: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a hard fixture to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their past 10 games in all competitions, but might they be among the teams who benefit from the {international break|