Alan Shearer and Chris Sutton make Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham predictions as 'really tough' claim made

Another big weekend of Premier League football is about to kick off, and we are now down to just three games remaining for each team. There is particular excitement surrounding the Champions League race, with Chelsea hoping to finish in the top five.

The Blues face top five rivals Newcastle United in a huge game on Sunday, and elsewhere, Arsenal face Liverpool and Tottenham face London rivals Crystal Palace. Here we round up the pundit predictions from BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton and Betfair’s Alan Shearer.

Newcastle United vs Chelsea

Chris Sutton

“It's great to see two teams going head-to-head in this race for the top five and Chelsea probably come into it in better form after getting a great result against Liverpool on Sunday. Yes, they were playing straight after Liverpool had won the title and the Reds had probably been celebrating all week, but they still had to put them away and they did that convincingly.

“It means Enzo Maresca's side have won their past three league games so they will be full of confidence ahead of this one, but it's going to be tough for them to extend that run. We know Maresca is a stickler for playing out from the back, but doing that against Newcastle is asking for trouble. The Magpies will put them under serious pressure, because that's what they do to teams at St James' Park.

“Newcastle have got a very physical midfield which might be where the battle is won and lost, and of course Alexander Isak is such a threat too. Chelsea have got match-winners too, if Cole Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke are firing, and my first thought was that there will be lots of goals in this game. With what's at stake, though, it might be a little cagier than that. I think the BBC readers will go for a draw but I am going to stick my neck out and say Newcastle will edge it. Prediction: 2-1.”

Alan Shearer

“It's a massive game for both clubs. I'll go for a home win because the crowd will be up for it and Newcastle usually respond to the crowd. I'd say six points may be enough for Newcastle to make the top five. That would be their best season in my lifetime if they were to win a trophy and finish in the top five.

“Cole Palmer will be feeling massive relief after scoring last time out. I thought Chelsea looked really strong in midfield areas with Enzo and Lavia. It'll be a really tough game for Newcastle but I think we'll be able to edge it. Prediction: Newcastle to Win.”

Tottenham vs Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton

“Both clubs can almost forget about this game, really. It is a bit of a nuisance for both of them. Tottenham's season rests on what happens in the Europa League final on 21 May, while for Crystal Palace it is all about the FA Cup final next weekend. Eagles boss Oliver Glasner went strong with his team selection against Forest last week and if he does the same here then I can see a Palace victory. They don't have much to play for, though, because win or lose they look likely to finish in their usual position - 12th.

“Spurs are still having a stinker of a time with injuries, with James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall both set to miss the rest of the season, and that situation hardly helps Ange Postecoglou with the side he picks. It is hard to make a call without knowing who will play but, all things considered, the most likely outcome is probably a draw. Prediction: 1-1.”

Alan Shearer

“Both teams will have their eyes on finals although I'm not certain that Spurs will get through because they're on the astro turf tonight so we'll have to wait and see. Draw. Prediction: Draw.”

Liverpool vs Arsenal

Chris Sutton

“Arsenal were really good against Paris St-Germain on Wednesday, and I was impressed by how brave they were, but they still went out of the Champions League. There will be Gunners fans out there who will think they should be winning more trophies than they have managed under Mikel Arteta, who has still not added to the FA Cup he lifted in his first season, 2019-20. Arsenal are still heading in the right direction but the biggest problem for me has been their recruitment, especially for them to not sign a striker last summer. There are such fine margins between success and failure at the highest level, and you need someone to put away your chances in the biggest games.

“They basically admitted that by trying to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in January and if anyone or anything is to blame for another trophyless season, then that's where it lies. Now Arsenal need to refocus and make sure they don't let second place slip away. This game obviously is not the title decider that some people may have anticipated earlier in the season, but I still feel both sides will be desperate to win it. It's just a shame that, from Liverpool's point of view, it might be over-shadowed by the reaction to Trent Alexander-Arnold's announcement he is leaving the club.

“There is this debate surrounding Alexander-Arnold now, and whether he should start at Anfield this weekend or play for the club again at all, and also what kind of reception he will get if he does. No-one can tell Liverpool fans, or fans of any club, what to think - myself included - but we can all have an opinion on this whether we support them or not, and I think some of the reaction to this whole saga has been completely over the top.

“Fair-minded people will look at Alexander-Arnold as someone who has given over 20 years service to his boyhood club after rising through the ranks, but just wants a different challenge at Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world, and the most successful one in terms of winning European Cups and Champions Leagues.

“If they were in the same position, what would they do? You have always got your die-hards who are not going to change or see things anyone else's way, but Alexander-Arnold does not deserve the ridiculous abuse he is getting. In terms of the game itself, I really don't know what to expect. Liverpool were way below their best against Chelsea last week, but Arne Slot could go strong here and they may feel they have a point to prove against their nearest rivals. Similarly, Arsenal could be flat after their disappointment in Paris, or they could come out firing. Hopefully that's the case, and both teams will be up for it. Prediction: 1-1.”

Alan Shearer

“Liverpool at home. I don't think they'll play like they did last week with them being back at Anfield so I'll go for a home win. The guard of honour will hurt Arsenal but they've not put up a big enough fight as we thought so they'll have to deal with the guard of honour. Prediction: Liverpool to Win.”

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