🔗 Share this article

The Gunners' 10-game victorious run was ended by Sunderland prior to the global break, but will the English top division frontrunners bounce back against local foes Tottenham this Sunday?

"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this match," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.

"The Spurs manager will attempt to nullify Arsenal, who have not always been at their scintillating best this season - but Mikel Arteta's side 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.

For week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a United supporter.

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

Football and Family Life

Murs is a talented soccer player as well as a successful artist and has been a featured player of several charity football games down the years - but he is not intending a serious comeback as a footballer.

"{I recently played in a benefit game the other evening for a friend of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 3-1 when I came off 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 knee a few years ago and it even now isn't where I want it to be. I wish I could play more but the unpredictability of the game means it's too dangerous for me in my career to do it seriously again.

"Additionally I am 41 now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very content not playing football and I am preparing for the time that my daughter or boy chooses to play instead."

Murs and his spouse his partner have a young family, their daughter and their son, and he is ready to follow in his father's footsteps by becoming their manager.

"I won't force football on our kids 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 likely be managing their Saturday football side," he added.

"I observed my relatives play a lot, and I truly got into it, and I clearly owned a football club for a period too.

"My dad coached with us when I was a child, which is probably where I inherited it. He coached our team for two or three years and had a wonderful time with it. That could 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

Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's return from fitness issues but their offense is already more potent with Joao Pedro and Delap both back fit.

I still think this game will be fairly tight, though. Burnley are well organised and their sole at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against the Reds and Arsenal.

This smells of a one-all draw 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.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Olly's prediction: 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 previous couple matches - although both of them were on the road - but they got thoroughly beaten by Aston Villa last time out which surprised me.

On the other hand, the Hammers won back-to-back victories before the international break and, although both of those fixtures were at home, they appear competitive again.

West Ham's only away victory this campaign came at Nottingham Forest in August, when their manager Nuno Espirito Santo was still that team's coach.

So, what on earth do I go with here - will it be West Ham extending their streak under Nuno, or the home side bouncing back?

I will choose the Cherries, because I believe what happened against Villa was a blip.

The pundit's forecast: 2-0

Olly's outlook: The home team are doing well but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2

The algorithm's prediction: 1-1

• Amex Stadium, 15:00 GMT

Brentford were considered one of the frontrunners for relegation before the season began, but they have impressed a several people under their manager and are in fine fettle with three wins in their last four matches.

My son advised me to get Bees striker Igor Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, unfortunately, I didn't listen.

The forward will likely score again on Saturday but I am nonetheless not going to pick him or back Brentford at Brighton's ground.

They have not had much success on the road this term, and the Seagulls are consistently decent at home. Brentford will attempt to attack on the break but I feel Fabian Hurzeler's team carry much more of a danger.

Sutton's prediction: 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 in reality turns out to be rather tight. 1-1

AI's prediction: 2-1

• Craven Cottage, 15:00 GMT

This is a massive game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their last six matches.

They have have lots of talent in their squad but it still feels like they could be dragged into a drop zone battle.

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

The away side's performance in the 2-2 tie with Arsenal last time out was superb. We've not witnessed anyone else rough up the North London side like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.

The sensible thing to do to support the Black Cats here, because they are clearly able of disrupting the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they defeated the Blues at the end of October.

However I am not choose that. Rather, I really need to continue opposing Sunderland with my predictions. I am taking a lot of credit for their good outcomes because they clearly enjoy to defy my predictions.

Considering Fulham's home form, the sole side they have been defeated by is Arsenal. Their manager's side will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to say they will pick up three much-needed points.

The expert's forecast: 1-0

Olly's choice: I'm aware the visitors are performing strongly and also that Fulham are on a bad streak... but Fulham have still been respectable at home this season. 2-0

AI's outlook: 2-0

• Anfield, 15:00 GMT

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