The pressure is mounting in the Premier League and nowhere more than in our early game which will have huge repercussions at the top and bottom of the table, Manchester United v Everton.
Southampton have a nightmare clash with Manchester City on Saturday evening before a basement battle between Leeds and Crystal Palace kicks off Sunday’s action.
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Then it’s the main event at 4.30pm on Sunday where the title-chasing Arsenal head to struggling Liverpool.
So, with the weekend hurling towards us once again there’s no time to waste and it’s only right that we bring in our resident tipster and Premier League predicting guru, Mark Lawrenson. He’s in blistering form so sit up and take note, here’s Lawro’s predictions this weekend.
Saturday 12.30pm: Manchester United v Everton
TV: BT Sport
It was another good result for Everton on Monday night against Spurs but I’m going for Manchester United to win this. They were good enough against Brentford in the week, even if a 1-0 doesn’t sound that impressive, but generally they were quite comfortable and they’ve got over the Newcastle loss. Everton will stay up because they’ve got so much fight about them – just ask Harry Kane! Manchester United 2-0 Everton.
Saturday 3pm: Aston Villa v Nottingham Forest
Steve Cooper’s had the dreaded vote of confidence at Nottingham Forest and if Aston Villa beat them, which I think they will do, he might be gone unfortunately. Villa are in a really good place at the moment and they play on the counter which won’t help Forest. Aston Villa 2-1 Nottingham Forest.
Saturday 3pm: Brentford v Newcastle
Newcastle are very much back in form and I think they were always going to get back to it because they’re so good defensively and that gives you the platform. I think Newcastle will win and this will be a game between two athletes, two teams of absolute giants! Brentford 1-2 Newcastle.
Saturday 3pm: Fulham v West Ham
I saw the way West Ham conceded the goals against Newcastle and David Moyes will be mad. He’s another one that needs a result, Moysey. I’m going to go for a West Ham win – just. Fulham 1-2 West Ham.
Saturday 3pm: Leicester v Bournemouth
Leicester were picked off against Villa but I’m going to go for them to win this. There was a little bit of a bounce against Villa the other night and that will still be there and it was interesting to see that Jamie Vardy was back. Leicester 2-0 Bournemouth.
Saturday 3pm: Tottenham v Brighton
Brighton have been fab, they’ve been absolutely brilliant, but Spurs will win won’t they? That’s the way Spurs are. I think the odds might say that Brighton will win but I think Spurs will beat them. I know Brighton are chasing Europe but it would just be like Spurs to turn up and perform. Tottenham 2-1 Brighton.
Saturday 3pm: Wolves v Chelsea
Chelsea should have beaten Liverpool, Liverpool were all over the place for half an hour. It looks like Frank Lampard’s coming back and it’s great for him, he can’t lose with that arrangement. Wolves are down with the dead men and can’t score so I’ll go for a Draw. Wolves 1-1 Chelsea.
Saturday 5.30pm: Southampton v Manchester City
TV: Sky Sports
It’s not a good game for Southampton, especially when you’re struggling. I presume Erling Haaland might be back and that he’ll play. Manchester City had a really good result against Liverpool and they’ve won seven on the bounce now. Southampton 0-3 Manchester City.
Sunday 2pm: Leeds v Crystal Palace
TV: Sky Sports
I’m going to go for Leeds to Win this, Javi Gracia’s done a good job. They’re going well and they’ve got the bit between their teeth. I fancy Leeds to beat Crystal Palace and I know Roy Hodgson got a great result during the week, they’ll just sit in, but I’ve always thought Leeds would stay up whoever the manager is because they’ve just got something about them. Leeds 2-0 Crystal Palace.
Sunday 4.30pm: Liverpool v Arsenal
TV: Sky Sports
I very rarely tip Liverpool to get beat but I just can’t see them beating Arsenal! They can’t even play well for 45 minutes at the moment. They changed three at the back against Chelsea and that’s a statement and tells you something about the state that Liverpool are in. Liverpool 1-2 Arsenal.
LAWRO V PUNTER CHALLENGE
So, you’ve heard what Mark Lawrenson has to say, but can this week’s Paddy Power punter take down our game-guessing guru with their Premier League predictions?
If you don’t know what we’re talking about, where have you been? Every Premier League gameweek we’re putting up at least £/€50 – more if there’s a rollover – to anyone who can outsmart Lawro in guessing the outcome of that week’s games. All the rules are here, but in a nutshell it’s three points for a correct score, and one point for a correct result. Simples.
There’s £/€50 up for grabs this week as Lawro was finally felled after four straight wins in narrow fashion by Ricky the Boro fan during the week. But, never one to be deterred, Lawro’s got right back on the horse to take on another Paddy punter this weekend and it’s Matthew the Larne and Manchester United fan putting up their picks. Here’s Matt’s verdict…
Manchester United 1-0 Everton
Aston Villa 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Brentford 1-1 Newcastle
Fulham 2-1 West Ham
Leicester 2-0 Bournemouth
Tottenham 2-2 Brighton
Wolves 0-2 Chelsea
Southampton 0-5 Manchester City
Leeds 1-1 Crystal Palace
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
RESULT
It was a stonking win for Lawro, with THREE correct scores and three correct results giving him a sky-high tally of 12 points. It was always going to be hard for our challenger Matt to keep up with that, and his return of five points wasn’t enough to rattle our predictions guru.
It means we’ve £/€100 on the line next weekend…
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right now