'Damning', 'All over' - Chris Sutton & Paul Merson disagree on West Ham vs Leeds United prediction
Leeds United round off their 2025/26 Premier League campaign with a trip to West Ham on Sunday.
Chris Sutton expects Leeds United to take a point from West Ham this weekend and ultimately confine them to the Championship.
Leeds head to the London Stadium on Sunday in what could prove a relegation decider, but not for them. Daniel Farke’s side have been safe for almost two weeks and are looking up, with the chance to climb as high as 11th with a victory that would take them onto 50 points - a quite incredible tally for a newly-promoted outfit.
It’s a bleaker picture for their hosts, however, with West Ham needing a win over Leeds and Everton to beat Tottenham in order to survive. And while Sutton expects Toffees boss David Moyes to do his former club a favour, the ex-striker has also predicted Leeds to land the telling relegation blow.
In his predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “I am going for Spurs to lose at home to Everton, but can West Ham get the win they need to have any chance of staying up? I can't see it myself.
“Hammers midfielder Mateus Fernandes said his side lacked fight in last weekend's defeat by Newcastle, which is really damning, and they have lost form at the worst possible time. In contrast, Leeds are well organised and playing with so much confidence. I am a big fan of their manager Daniel Farke and I don't see him losing this.
“There will be loads of drama and probably loads of chances at both ends too, but I am going for a draw which would send West Ham down to the Championship for the first time since 2011-12. Sutton's prediction: 1-1.”
Paul Merson agrees on West Ham relegation verdict
Sunday’s game had been tipped as a potential relegation shootout ever since the fixtures were released in June, and it’s testament for Leeds that travelling fans can enjoy a stress-free afternoon in London. Former Arsenal midfielder expects that journey to end in defeat, although he agrees with Sutton that West Ham will likely drop regardless.
“West Ham were disappointing against Newcastle,” he told Sportskeeda. “That performance was bordering on shocking, if I'm being honest. Leeds have been amazing this season but this is the last game and I think West Ham can beat them.
“I say that because West Ham have to win at any cost to avoid relegation. Leeds can afford to relax a bit. The most important thing for West Ham to stay up is that they must score first. If West Ham score before Tottenham on the final day of the season, that will put pressure on Spurs! If it's the other way around and Tottenham take an early lead, West Ham might end up losing to Leeds.
“I have a feeling West Ham will win. But Tottenham need just a draw and they are likely to get it. So I'm afraid it could be all over for West Ham. Prediction: West Ham United 2-1 Leeds United.”