Ashes Pre-Series Banter Intensifies as Broad Labels Australia the Worst Since 2010
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- By Summer Wright
- 15 May 2026
The Gunners' 10-game victorious run came to an end by Sunderland before the global break, however can the Premier League leaders bounce back against north London rivals Tottenham this weekend?
"{I feel like Arsenal are miles ahead of Tottenham at the moment but Spurs manager Thomas Frank will have a plan for this game," remarked football expert Chris Sutton.
"Frank will attempt to neutralize Arsenal, who have not always been at their sparkling best this campaign - but Mikel Arteta's side typically still manage to win."
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, versus artificial intelligence, fans and a range of special visitors.
In week 12, he takes on singer Olly Murs, who is a Manchester United fan.
Murs' new record, the new release, is available on the weekend.
Olly is a talented footballer as well as a accomplished singer and has been a featured player of multiple Soccer Aid matches over time - but he is not intending a serious return as a player.
"{I recently played in a charity match the other evening for a mate of mine," he explained. "The side was losing 3-1 when I was substituted in the second half, and they went on to win 4-3, so you can interpret that what you will!
"I still love football, but I hurt my joint a few years ago and it even now hasn't fully recovered. 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 forty-one now, and we are not everyone is Cristiano Ronaldo, are we!? No, I am very happy not playing football and I am gearing up for the moment that my child or boy decides to play instead."
Murs and his spouse Amelia Tank have two children, Madison and their son, and he is prepared to emulate his dad by becoming their coach.
"I will not force football on our kids but I've previously told Amelia that if they do get the passion for it then I will have to go and get my manager qualifications - and I will probably be managing their Saturday soccer side," he said.
"I observed my nephews play a lot, and I really got into it, and I clearly was involved with a football club for a while too.
"My father 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 seasons and had a wonderful time with it. That could be the next step for me as well, and I am looking forward to it!"
Chelsea might have to be patient for their star's comeback from fitness issues but their offense is already stronger with Pedro and Liam Delap both returned to fitness.
I still think this fixture will be fairly tight, however. Burnley are well organised and their only at Turf Moor defeats so far have been against Liverpool and the Gunners.
This smells of a one-all draw to me, but I am actually going to go with Chelsea to edge it for what would be their third Premier League win in a row.
The expert's forecast: 1-2
The singer's prediction: The Blues will be superior. 1-3
Artificial intelligence's prediction: 0-2
The Cherries have lost their previous couple matches - although both of them were away - but they got absolutely spanked by Aston Villa last time out which shocked me.
On the other hand, West Ham secured two in a row before the international break and, although both of those games were at their stadium, they do look strong again.
The Hammers' only on the road victory this season came at Nottingham Forest in August, when West Ham manager Nuno was still that team's coach.
Therefore, what exactly do I predict here - can the Hammers extending their run under Nuno, or Bournemouth bouncing back?
I will go with Bournemouth, because I think what happened against Aston Villa was a anomaly.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Olly's outlook: Bournemouth are performing strongly but West Ham have picked up under their boss. 2-2
The algorithm's pick: 1-1
Brentford were seen as one of the favourites for the drop before the campaign began, but they have surprised a several people under Keith Andrews and are in fine fettle with three wins in their past four matches.
A family member told me to get Brentford striker Thiago in my Fantasy Football team a few weeks back and, guess what, I didn't listen.
Thiago will likely find the net again on the weekend but I am still not going to select him or back Brentford at Amex Stadium.
The Bees have not had great fortune on the travel this term, and Brighton are always decent at their stadium. Brentford will attempt to hit them on the break but I think Fabian Hurzeler's side carry much more of a danger.
The analyst's prediction: 2-1
Olly's prediction: It could be a match where you expect there is going to be a many goals but it actually turns out to be quite close. 1-1
AI's prediction: 2-1
It is a huge game for the Cottagers, who have lost five of their past six games.
Fulham have have lots of quality in their team but it still seems like they could be sucked into a drop zone battle.
Regarding the Black Cats, well they are the surprise package of the top flight season so far.
The away side's display in the 2-2 tie with the Gunners last time out was superb. We've not witnessed any other team rough up the Gunners like that this term, and Sunderland were more than a match for them.
The logical choice would be to support the visitors here, because they are obviously able of roughing the hosts up too and, the previous occasion they were in west London, they beat the Blues at the end of October.
However I am not going to do that. Instead, I really need to carry on opposing the away team with my predictions. I am claiming a lot of responsibility for their positive outcomes because they clearly love to defy my predictions.
Looking at Fulham's at Craven Cottage record, the sole side they have been defeated by is the league leaders. Marco Silva's team will be absolutely eager for a good outcome, so I am going to predict they will pick up three points.
Sutton's prediction: 1-0
The guest's choice: I'm aware the visitors are doing well and additionally that Fulham are on a poor streak... but Fulham have nonetheless been respectable at home this campaign. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-0
This is a hard one to predict. The Reds have suffered seven of their last ten matches in all competitions, but might they be one of the sides who benefit from the {international break|
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