Chris Sutton predicts winner of West Ham United clash v Arsenal in Premier League for BBC Sport
Chris Sutton has predicted that West Ham United will lose 2-0 to Arsenal in their upcoming Premier League clash at the London Stadium on Sunday (16 April).
The Hammers arrive into the encounter on the back of their hard-fought 1-0 win against Fulham last weekend, which propelled David Moyes’ side up to 14th in the Premier League and three points clear of the relegation zone.
Writing his weekly predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton admitted that Arsenal would bounce back from the disappointing 2-2 draw against Liverpool last weekend with a comfortable victory over the Hammers.
“Arsenal need to bounce back here after what happened to them at Anfield,” he wrote.
“I can see why their draw against Liverpool is viewed by some as being a good point gained, especially because of Aaron’s Ramsdale brilliant save to deny the Reds at the end – it could have been worse for Mikel Arteta’s side.
“So, the way the leaders react is going to be fascinating. The wheels could have come off when they lost to Manchester City in February but they responded with seven successive wins.
“Nothing less than a win will do for them here either, and I think they will get it.
“West Ham got a really vital victory over Fulham last week and they are still desperate for points so they will give everything here – but Arsenal should be too good for them.”
Tough as they come
After letting a two-goal lead slip at Anfield last week, Arsenal will be looking to exact revenge in the Premier League this weekend, and it looks like West Ham could be the unfortunate recipients of their wrath.
Moyes’ men went back to basics in the 1-0 win against Fulham last week, setting up shop in a solid and hard-to-break-down formation and recording a meagre 23% share of possession.
Despite not producing the most eye-catching performance, West Ham looked much-improved from the 5-1 drubbing to Newcastle, with Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma both delivering man-of-the-match performances in the heart of defence.
The two centre-backs will need to be at their very best again to deny a Gunners side – who have scored 72 goals from 30 Premier League outings this term – any clear sights on goal.
With West Ham United currently sitting on 30 points, another win this weekend could see the team draw clear of the immediate scrap for relegation and breath a huge sigh of relief.