The games are ticking down in the 2022/23 edition of the Premier League now and everyone’s got single-digit matches left to play.
Aston Villa and Newcastle kick us off with an intriguing match on Saturday lunchtime that could go a long way to deciding the top four race.
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It’s all about the title and relegation picture on Saturday evening where Leicester head to The Etihad to take on the mighty Manchester City. Sunday sees the table toppers Arsenal head to West Ham and Nottingham Forest hosting Manchester United before Leeds and Liverpool round off the weekend’s action on Monday night.
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: Aston Villa v Newcastle
TV: BT Sport
I’m going to go for Newcastle to win, they’re really going for that top four spot and they’re back in a really good run. Aston Villa have also done really well but they’re probably due a defeat. Aston Villa 1-2 Newcastle.
Saturday 3pm: Chelsea v Brighton
Brighton were robbed last week at Tottenham. Those decisions were absolutely, totally ridiculous but, of course, they got beat. Chelsea under Frank Lampard, I’ll go for him to win his first game back at home. He won’t want to have played three and lost three else they’ll be looking for another interim manager! Chelsea 2-1 Brighton.
Saturday 3pm: Everton v Fulham
Fulham haven’t won for a while now and they’ve hit the buffers a bit. I’m going for Everton to win as they’re at home. Everton 2-0 Fulham.
Saturday 3pm: Southampton v Crystal Palace
From scoring no goals Crystal Palace have now got seven in their last two and they took Leeds apart. It’s a really, really good start for Roy Hodgson. I’ll go for a draw which won’t really be good enough for Southampton, but it will certainly be good enough for Roy. Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace.
Saturday 3pm: Tottenham v Bournemouth
I fancy a bit Spursy home win. Last week was ridiculous but their two main men scored, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min. Bournemouth had a really, really good result last time out but I don’t see them doing that at Tottenham. Tottenham 3-0 Bournemouth.
Saturday 3pm: Wolves v Brentford
Wolves won last time but Brentford lost narrowly to Newcastle. I fancy a draw here as I can’t work out if either can actually win this. Brentford are just ticking along and Wolves don’t score many. Wolves 1-1 Brentford.
Saturday 5.30pm: Manchester City v Leicester
TV: Sky Sports
Obviously Leicester have got a different managerial set up now. It’s just a pity for them that John Terry can’t play because they could do with him. I just can’t see Leicester doing anything, Manchester City are on a roll now and the whole squad’s pretty much fit. Manchester City 3-0 Leicester.
Sunday 2pm: West Ham v Arsenal
TV: Sky Sports
West Ham had a good win at Fulham and with City hitting their stride Arsenal can’t afford to slip up but I think they might. I think this might be a draw. Arsenal were fab in the first 15 minutes against Liverpool but collapsed a little bit. There were a lot of things going on off the ball which was good, it reminded me of the old days! West Ham 1-1 Arsenal.
Sunday 4.30pm: Nottm Forest v Manchester United
TV: Sky Sports
This should be a Manchester United win. If that happens it will be interesting to see if the Nottingham Forest owner pulls the trigger. It would be hard on Steve Cooper to be fair. Nottingham Forest 0-2 Manchester United.
Monday 8pm: Leeds v Liverpool
TV: Sky Sports
I’m going to this one and I’m looking forward to it. I love watching Leeds because they’re mad. Liverpool were still all over the place defensively last week but it was a little bit of the old Liverpool in the last 20 minutes and the crowd pulled them along with them. Leeds 1-2 Liverpool.
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 £/€100 up for grabs this week as Lawro got back into the groove with a crushing victory over Matthew the Larne and Manchester United supporter last time out. Next up is brave Paddy punter Paul! Here’s his picks…
Aston Villa 1-1 Newcastle
Chelsea 1-1 Brighton
Everton 2-1 Fulham
Southampton 1-2 Crystal Palace
Tottenham 2-0 Bournemouth
Wolves 1-0 Brentford
Manchester City 3-0 Leicester
West Ham 1-2 Arsenal
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United
Leeds 1-3 Liverpool
RESULTS
It’s a narrow win for Lawro after a tricky punting weekend. Saturday’s wins for Brighton, Bournemouth and Fulham stung both Mark and our challenger, with Lawro eventually clocking in six points for one correct score (Man Utd’s win at Forest) and three correct results, with Paul landing five correct results, but no correct scores for five points.
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com right now
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