MARK LAWRENSON’S PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS
Crystal Palace 0-2 Brighton
Aston Villa 2-1 Sheffield United
West Ham 1-2 Manchester United
Fulham 2-1 Burnley
Luton 1-1 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bournemouth
Tottenham 2-0 Everton
Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal
Wolves 1-2 Chelsea
We’re almost at the half-way stage of the 2023/24 Premier League season now and we’re gearing up for a long weekend in the top flight as we dive head-first into the festive fixtures. We kick off this weekend on Thursday with Crystal Palace hosting their bitter rivals Brighton at 8pm.
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We’ve Friday-night fare to enjoy as well with the relegation-haunted Sheffield United going for Fortress Villa Park before West Ham host the misfiring Manchester United at 12.30pm on Saturday. The action just keeps on coming with a serious thigh-rubber on Saturday evening between Liverpool and Arsenal as well as the controversial Wolves v Chelsea Christmas Eve fixture.
So, with so much action to get stuck in to, it’s only right that we bring in our resident tipster and Premier League predicting guru, Mark Lawrenson who will be battling it out with a Paddy punter in our Challenge Lawro game. But first, here’s what Lawro’s crystal ball has revealed this weekend.
Thursday 8pm: Crystal Palace v Brighton
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Crystal Palace drew at Manchester City, which was a really good result, but Brighton got beat at Arsenal. I’m going to go for Brighton to win this. They did that thing again where they played in Europe and then got beat, obviously that’s not happening this week and I think they’ll have too much for Palace. Crystal Palace 0-2 Brighton.
Friday 8pm: Aston Villa v Sheffield United
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Aston Villa are brilliant at home so I think they’ll win this. They’ve just got to keep pushing on but it’s a real test for them now because everyone’s suddenly realised that they’ve got a chance of maybe, maybe, finishing in the top four and that’s when the pressure hits. Sheffield United will pick up under Chris Wilder but whether they’ll get enough points to stay up, I’m not so sure. Aston Villa 2-1 Sheffield United.
Saturday 12.30pm: West Ham v Manchester United
TV: TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate
Manchester United got a good draw at Liverpool and West Ham hammered Wolves 3-0. I’m going to go for Manchester United. It’s David Moyes against his old club and they’re up to eighth. Manchester United just have to be better than they have been and, actually, against Liverpool I thought they did really well. West Ham 1-2 Manchester United.
Saturday 3pm: Fulham v Burnley
Burnley got beat by Sean Dyche’s Everton which wasn’t a surprise. Fulham have been in good form and they won in the week so I fancy them. Fulham 2-1 Burnley.
Saturday 3pm: Luton v Newcastle
Everyone, including the top teams, have found it difficult going to Kenilworth Road this season and I think they’ll fight even harder after what happened to Tom Lockyer last weekend. Their resolve will be even greater, if that’s even possible! It will be quite an emotional occasion and I think Luton will get something out of it. Luton 1-1 Newcastle.
Saturday 3pm: Nottingham Forest v Bournemouth
It was coming for Steve Cooper and I’m not a great fan of Nottingham Forest’s owner. I just think they were going to stay up and they still will. Bournemouth were involved in that abandoned game against Luton but I’ll go with the new-manager bounce. Nottingham Forest 2-1 Bournemouth.
Saturday 3pm: Tottenham v Everton
Tottenham have been really good and they beat Forest last weekend. Everton have had a really good run but I still think Spurs will win. Richarlison’s started scoring which will make a big difference to them. If Everton can deal with that 25-30 minute onslaught at the start they might be okay but I just can’t see it. Tottenham 2-0 Everton.
Saturday 5.30pm: Liverpool v Arsenal
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
I’m going to this game and I think it might be the result no-one wants, 1-1. Liverpool haven’t played particularly well but they’ve been getting outstanding results. The game on Sunday was a bit of a setback as far as United were in poor form but there’s so much at stake I think it’ll end level. Liverpool 1-1 Arsenal.
Sunday 1pm: Wolves v Chelsea
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Chelsea won in the Carabao Cup in the week and won at the weekend. I’m going for them to make it a hat-trick. They’ve started to look a bit better but Chelsea still aren’t 100% there. Wolves 1-2 Chelsea.
So you’ve heard what Lawro has to say and, all throughout the 2023/24 Premier League campaign, Paddy’s going to be dishing out free bets to his shop customers who can out-shout our mighty game-guessing guru each and every match day.
The rules are simple, beating Lawro is the tricky bit
All you have to do is predict the score of every Premier League fixture every game week. Get the score bang on and you pocket three points, get the W-D-W result right and one point is added to your tally. Rack up more points than our Lawro and you’ve got £/€50 in free bets heading your way!
Easy, right? Well Lawro’s been in fine fettle this season and he’s leading Paddy’s punters 8 to 5 and we’ve also had a draw this season. After a couple of close losses Lawro put Chris the Arsenal fan from Gravesend in Kent to the sword in a 9-4 mauling that included two correct scores last weekend.
Looking to claw one back for the punters and to bag a cool £/€50 in free bets is this time around is our Michael from our Ennis store over in County Clare. Good luck, Mike!
Crystal Palace 1-2 Brighton
Aston Villa 4-0 Sheffield United
West Ham 1-0 Manchester United
Fulham 2-0 Burnley
Luton 1-2 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 1 -2 Bournemouth
Tottenham 1-1 Everton
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Wolves 0-0 Chelsea
The latest football odds are on PaddyPower.com now