Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal's chances against West Ham as they aim for their first Premier League title since 2004. Arsenal needs three more wins to secure the championship.
Key points
Arsenal needs three wins to become Premier League champions.
Chris Sutton predicts Arsenal's match against West Ham.
Arsenal's last title win was in 2004.
Sutton is predicting outcomes for all Premier League games this season.
Mentioned in this story
Chris Sutton
ArsenalWest HamPremier League
A picture of Chris Sutton with wording next to it that says BBC Sport columnist Chris Sutton
[BBC]
Arsenal are just three wins away from becoming Premier League champions for the first time since 2004, but can they avoid a slip-up against third-bottom West Ham on Sunday?
"This is the kind of game where Arsenal fans will be looking at it and thinking if they can overcome this hurdle, then the title will be theirs," said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton.
Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against AI, BBC Sport readers and a variety of guests.
For week 36, the former Norwich City striker takes on boxing world champion Fabio Wardley, who is an Ipswich Town fan.
Wardley defends his WBO heavyweight title for the first time against Daniel Dubois in Manchester on Saturday, with the fight shown live on DAZN and you can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Sadly, we could not arrange for Sutton to face Wardley in the ring, so a battle over their score predictions will have to suffice - as well as a verbal tussle of course following Ipswich's promotion to the Premier League, while rivals Norwich finished ninth in the Championship.
"Chris would probably call himself a Norwich legend," said Wardley. "That lot like to do that.
"We have already done the double over them in the Championship this season so if I can add one more notch on there by beating him too, then I'll take that."
"Fabio looks a bit chubby to me," responded Sutton.
"But I wish him the best in his fight and I am genuinely pleased his team have gone up - it's quite close for me to get to Ipswich if I have to work there, and I hope they enjoy their season in the Premier League."
Ipswich clinched a top-flight return last weekend.
Wardley's preparations for his fight meant he could not join in the party at Portman Road on Saturday or attend Monday's promotion parade through the town, but he still celebrated their crucial 3-0 final-day win over QPR from afar.
Q&A
What does Chris Sutton predict for Arsenal's match against West Ham?
Chris Sutton predicts that Arsenal can overcome West Ham, which is crucial for their title aspirations.
How many wins does Arsenal need to become Premier League champions?
Arsenal needs three more wins to secure the Premier League title.
When was the last time Arsenal won the Premier League?
Arsenal last won the Premier League in 2004.
What is Chris Sutton's role in predicting Premier League outcomes?
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, competing against AI and other guests.
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"It's really exciting for us to be back up there, and I couldn't be more proud of the team," he told BBC Sport.
"It was the first time in a long time I didn't make it to the last game of the season, and I was gutted I couldn't get to the parade either.
"I spoke to our chairman Mark Ashton and told him I was with the guys in spirit - but I've got my own job to tick off this weekend. They were more than understanding, and they will be there on Saturday night to support me as well."
World champion boxer Fabio Wardley wears an Ipswich Town shirt during his Media workout in Manchester before Saturday's fight with Daniel Dubois.
Wardley was born in Ipswich and played for Town's academy as a boy. He fought at Ipswich's Portman Road ground in 2024 and delivered a stunning, one-punch 10th-round knockout to stop Justis Huni [Getty Images]
Ipswich were promoted to the Premier League in 2024 too, but relegated after only one win in their final 19 matches.
Wardley, though, is confident things will be different next season.
"It didn't go our way, but that season was still great for the club and for the whole area," he explained. "Everyone was buzzing every time a big team was in town.
"For any side who gets promoted to the Premier League, staying up is the main goal and we gave it a good go first time around.
"Clearly there were a few adjustments which we needed to make but we have bounced straight back up and I feel like we are way more equipped this time - firstly on an experience level, but also the quality of players we gave got and the team unit we have.
"We are much better defensively, for example, and we have conceded 10 fewer goals this season compared to the last time we went up. Even just in that area, there have been some big improvements.
"Now we can go and grab a few new players and add to what was already a good team - and make it great."
Chris Sutton and Fabio Wardley were speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
The AI predictions were generated using Microsoft Copilot Chat - we simply asked the tool to 'predict this weekend's Premier League scores'.
Premier League predictions
Saturday, 9 May
Anfield, 12:30 BST
Liverpool still look like they will finish in the Champions League places even after their defeat by Manchester United last time out, but that result was the latest disappointment in what has been a poor season by their standards.
Chelsea have bigger problems, however. It is all falling apart for them and, after six straight league defeats, they are down in ninth place and absolutely desperate for a result here.
I just don't see them getting anything at Anfield though. Cole Palmer looks a shadow of the player we know he is and they are struggling defensively too.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Fabio's prediction: Chelsea are having a terrible time of it. They seem a bit disjointed, despondent - they are all over the place. 2-0
AI's prediction: 2-1
Amex Stadium, 15:00
I thought Brighton would get the better of Newcastle last week, and they certainly had their chances. They ended up losing that game, but there is no way they won't win this time.
Wolves had an upturn in form for a while under Rob Edwards but it doesn't feel like they have sustained that improvement. Yes, they got a point against Sunderland last week, but the Black Cats played for more than an hour with 10 men.
The Seagulls are at home and are one of the teams who have sixth place in their sights. I don't see them slipping up.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Fabio's prediction: Brighton are in a good place - I can only see a home win here. 2-0
AI's prediction: 3-0
Craven Cottage, 15:00
It's probably good news for Marco Silva's side that I am backing Bournemouth here. I've really struggled with my Fulham predictions this season - although in fairness they are not the only team I keep getting wrong.
Fulham have got a decent home record but Bournemouth are on such a good run, and have now gone 15 league games unbeaten.
The Cherries won the reverse fixture in October thanks to a late comeback, and I can see them nicking this one too.
Sutton's prediction: 1-2
Fabio's prediction: I don't think there is much between these two. 1-1
AI's prediction: 1-2
Stadium of Light, 15:00
Last Sunday's win over Liverpool was another big result for Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, especially because it secured Champions League qualification.
People forget what a rabble United were when he took over as head coach in January and he has brought a bit of calmness to the club.
United have got to make a decision about his future at the end of the season and can you imagine if they don't give him the job on a long-term basis? Mind you, I wouldn't be sure about United given some of the decisions they have made in the recent past.
In terms of this game, going to Sunderland is still a tough game - even though the Black Cats were walloped 5-0 by Nottingham Forest last time out at Stadium of Light.
I keep backing Sunderland and keep being wrong about them. Their minds may be on the beach a bit, but I can see them getting a point here.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Fabio's prediction: Carrick seems to have the knack of clawing a win even when United are not playing great. That's how this game might go too. 1-2
AI's prediction: 1-2
Etihad Stadium, 17:30
The title is out of Manchester City's hands now after their 3-3 draw at Everton, but their late equaliser on Monday could still turn out to be huge.
City getting a point means Arsenal still have to win their final three games to be sure of being champions, so it is not over yet.
Pep Guardiola's side definitely have to win this game, though, and to do it they will have to be more ruthless in front of goal.
I am being selfish here, but just for my Fantasy team I need Erling Haaland to have a strong finish to the season so I am going for City - and him - to get among the goals on Saturday.
Sutton's prediction: 3-1
Fabio's prediction: City's draw with Everton was such a mad game. I turned it on midway through the first half and it looked like City were pretty comfortable but then the game just took off near the end. They are still in the mix though, and I think they will put Brentford away. 2-0
AI's prediction: 3-1
Sunday, 10 May
Turf Moor, 14:00
Fifth-placed Aston Villa were booed off last weekend after losing at home to struggling Tottenham.
Unai Emery had made a lot of changes with his side's Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest in mind, and they were pretty awful against Spurs.
Still, even if they are poor again here, I think they will get the better of managerless Burnley.
Sutton's prediction: 0-2
Fabio's prediction: I am going with Villa but it could be quite close. They might rest players again and just try to get through this game. 0-1
AI's prediction: 1-2
Selhurst Park, 14:00
Crystal Palace are another team who have had Europe on their minds, and it might be difficult for them to shake off that mindset.
Everton have developed a frustrating habit of conceding costly late goals - it has happened in their past three games against Liverpool, West Ham and City - and they have lost ground in the race for sixth place.
I am expecting a different ending for David Moyes and his side on Sunday, however. This time, they will hold on for a win.
Sutton's prediction: 0-1
Fabio's prediction: Some goals in this one. 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-1
City Ground, 14:00
Nottingham Forest are not quite mathematically safe yet on 42 points and this weekend they play before West Ham and Tottenham do, so they will go into this game still needing something.
Forest have come a long way under Vitor Pereira and are playing really well at the moment and scoring goals, but Morgan Gibbs-White has been key to all of that so they really need him to be available after his horrific head injury.
My other worry with Forest is how much Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Aston Villa will take out of them - but at the same time I am not sure Newcastle can take advantage even if they are tired.
The Magpies' win over Brighton was much-needed for their boss Eddie Howe but it was far from convincing. All things considered, this will probably end up in a draw.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Fabio's prediction: I am going for more goals here as well. 2-2
AI's prediction: 1-2
London Stadium, 16:30
Arsenal look like a totally different proposition on the attacking front now Bukayo Saka is back in the team.
It is going to be hard for West Ham to keep them out, and it doesn't help the Hammers that they desperately need a victory here after losing last weekend while all the teams around them won.
A draw wouldn't be a disaster for West Ham if you took this game in isolation but, depending on what Tottenham do against Leeds on Monday night, even if they pick up a point they could end up further adrift.
Arsenal have had big wins at London Stadium in each of the past two seasons. I don't see them sticking five or six in again this time, but I also don't see them slipping up.
Sutton's prediction: 1-3
Fabio's prediction: I don't see West Ham doing Manchester City any favours here. It might be a game where Arsenal need a little kick up the backside, though. West Ham might go 1-0 up or get to 1-1 before Arsenal kick into gear a bit. 1-3
AI's prediction: 1-3
Monday, 11 May
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, 20:00
Leeds are all but safe now and they could be absolutely sure of staying up by the time they play this game.
That scenario would definitely suit Spurs, but I am going to back Roberto de Zerbi's side here regardless.
What a performance that was by them at Villa last week. People have criticised Villa, but that display and result felt enormous for Tottenham.
It took them out of the bottom three and meant Spurs, at last, have got a bit of momentum after winning two league games in a row for the first time since August.
I am expecting more of the same here, so I am going to say they will make it three wins on the spin with the same scoreline that saw them win at Elland Road in October.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Fabio's prediction: I don't think Spurs are going down. 1-0
AI's prediction: 2-1
How did Sutton get on last week?
The BBC Premier League predictions race remains wide open, and we have a new leader at the top of the table.
Chris got three correct results from the 10 games in week 35, with no exact scores, for a total of 30points.
The BBC readers managed five correct results with one exact score and ended up on 80 points.
Sutton had two guests, Jake and Ella from CBBC football drama Jamie Johnson.
Jake got five correct results without an exact score for a total of 50 points, while Ella got six correct results with two exact scores for a tally of 120 - giving them an average score of 85 points.
But the weekly win went to AI. Like Chris, it only managed three correct results but two of them were exact scores which gave it a total of 90 points and a victory, which means it moves into top spot with three rounds of fixtures to go.
