The 2024/25 Premier League season is hurtling towards the half-way stage and Paddy’s pal Mark Lawrenson is steadfastly gazing into his crystal ball every single matchday.
The Soccer Soothsayer has read the signs and crunched the numbers to produce his Premier League predictions over the coming days. Let’s see what the future holds…
Saturday 12.30pm: Leicester v Chelsea
TV: TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate
Chelsea had a decent result against Arsenal but they could, and probably should, have lost that game in the last minute. I do fancy Chelsea to win this though, I’ve seen nothing to change my mind that Leicester are going to finish in the bottom three. Leicester 1-2 Chelsea.
Saturday 3pm: Arsenal v Nott’m Forest
I wonder if the honeymoon’s over for Nuno Espirito Santo at Nottingham Forest. Mikel Arteta will still be smarting at that draw with Chelsea. This will be a relatively comfortable home win and Arsenal’s fixtures are looking a little kinder now. Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest.
Saturday 3pm: Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace just don’t look right at all. Aston Villa were beaten easily at Anfield by Liverpool, they weren’t much of a threat. I just don’t know with Crystal Palace, a big problem is that Jean-Philippe Mateta seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth. He was good at the Olympics, maybe it’s gone to his head? I don’t know, but I do expect Villa to win this, they’ve got too many good players. Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace.
Saturday 3pm: Bournemouth v Brighton
It was a fab result for Brighton to beat Manchester City before the international break and they thoroughly deserved it. Bournemouth is a tricky place to go these days and these are two good teams with very good managers so I can’t split them. Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton.
Saturday 3pm: Everton v Brentford
Brentford are not good on the road in terms of points earned but Everton draw quite a few. The Toffees haven’t been that bad of late but they’re struggling in front of goal. I’ll go for a draw but, with Brentford this season, the score could actually be anything. Everton 1-1 Brentford.
Saturday 3pm: Fulham v Wolves
Marco Silva is a good manager and he’s got a good balance in his Fulham side. They’ve got lots of different players who have come in and scored vital goals for them. I think they’ll nick this with home advantage. Fulham 2-1 Wolves.
Saturday 5.30pm: Man City v Spurs
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Manchester City playing Tottenham at home feels like a banker. We know that Spurs might score but they’ll get beat on the road, they always seem to do so. With Pep Guardiola signing his new contract that could breathe life into them, I know they’ve lost four in a row but only two of those were in the league. City’s post-Christmas charge might start early this year. Manchester City 2-0 Tottenham.
Sunday 2pm: Southampton v Liverpool
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Southampton are bottom and they continue to make lots of mistakes, struggling to pick up points. They keep the ball well but that’s not going to be any good against Liverpool because they’ll just pick them off. The first week after the international break is a nightmare for managers but even if a couple are out for Liverpool Arne Slot’s got plenty of options. Southampton 1-3 Liverpool.
Sunday 4.30pm: Ipswich v Man United
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
It’s a hard one for Ipswich with Manchester United having a new manager. All the players will be giving 110% all of a sudden. From reading some of the stuff that Ruben Amorim’s been saying he strikes me as very switched on, he’s saying all the right things. It’s a difficult job and everyone’s in Sir Alex Ferguson’s shadow but they should win this one. Ipswich 1-2 Manchester United.
Monday 8pm: Newcastle v West Ham
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
I really, really fancy Newcastle to win this. They haven’t been great overall but they’ve had a couple of good results and they look to have something about them now. I think pretty much everyone’s fit and I just don’t fancy West Ham at all making the long trip up to the freezing north! Newcastle 3-0 West Ham.
Lawro’s Premier League predictions
Leicester 1-2 Chelsea
Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest
Aston Villa 3-0 Crystal Palace
Bournemouth 1-1 Brighton
Everton 1-1 Brentford
Fulham 2-1 Wolves
Manchester City 2-0 Tottenham
Southampton 1-3 Liverpool
Ipswich 1-2 Manchester United
Newcastle 3-0 West Ham
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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