🔗 Share this article

Arsenal's ten-match victorious run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global hiatus, but can the Premier League leaders recover against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham currently but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a strategy for this game," stated soccer specialist Chris Sutton.

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

Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League fixtures this season, against AI, readers and a range of guests.

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

The singer's latest album, the new release, is out on the weekend.

Soccer and Parenting Experiences

Murs is a talented footballer as well as a successful singer and has been a featured player of several charity football matches over time - but he is not intending a professional return as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a charity match the other night for a mate of mine," he explained. "My side was trailing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can read into that what you want!

"I continue to love football, but I injured my joint a few years ago and it even now 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 seriously again.

"Additionally 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 gearing up for the time that my daughter or son chooses to play instead."

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

"I will not force football on our children but I've previously told my wife that if they happen to get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my coaching badges - and I will probably be coaching their weekend football team," he added.

"I watched my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly owned a soccer team for a period too.

"My father did it with us when I was a kid, which is likely where I get it from. He managed our team for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That might be the next step for me as well, and I am excited to it!"

Top Division Forecasts

Saturday, 22 November

• Turf Moor, 12:30 GMT

Chelsea may have to be patient for their star's return from injury but their offense is now more potent with Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, though. The Clarets are disciplined and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.

This smells of a one-all tie to me, but I am in fact going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third league win in a row.

Sutton's forecast: 1-2

Olly's pick: The Blues will be too strong. 1-3

Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2

• Vitality Stadium, 15:00 GMT

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

In contrast, West Ham won two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at home, they do look strong again.

The Hammers' only on the road victory this campaign came at Forest in August, when their boss Nuno Espirito Santo was still Forest coach.

So, what on earth do I predict here - can West Ham continuing their run under their manager, or Bournemouth bouncing back?

I am going to go with the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a anomaly.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Olly's prediction: Bournemouth are doing well but the visitors have picked up under Nuno. 2-2

AI's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

The Bees were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season started, but they have surprised a few observers under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three in their last four matches.

My son told me to select Bees forward Thiago in my Fantasy Football squad a few weeks ago 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 Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had great fortune on the road this season, and the Seagulls are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will try to hit them on the break but I feel the home manager's side pose much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

The singer's prediction: It could be one of those games where you expect there is going to be a lot of scores but it in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

It is a massive fixture for Fulham, who have lost five of their past six matches.

Fulham have got lots of talent in their team but it still feels like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.

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

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal 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 would be to support the Black Cats here, because they are obviously able of disrupting Fulham up too and, the previous occasion they were in this part of London, they defeated Chelsea at the close of last month.

But I am not do that. Instead, I truly need to continue going against Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they evidently love to defy my predictions.

Looking at the home side's at Craven Cottage form, the only team they have lost to is the league leaders. Their manager's side will be extremely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will secure three points.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

The guest's choice: I know Sunderland are doing well and additionally that the hosts are on a poor streak... but they have nonetheless been respectable at Craven Cottage this campaign. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

This is a tough fixture to predict. The Reds have lost seven of their past 10 matches in every tournament, but could they be one of the teams who benefit from the {international break|