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…
Friday 8pm: Brighton v Southampton
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
I thought Southampton did well against Liverpool and they could have had another penalty as well. There’s nothing wrong with them but they do need to pick up more wins. I like the way they play and it will be a good game, this. Both are really good at keeping the ball and it will be tight. Brighton 1-1 Southampton.
Saturday 3pm: Brentford v Leicester
I’m a little bit worried about Leicester and I think the owner has a lot to say. I feel a bit sorry for Steve Cooper, they were always going to be down there this season. If you were Ruud van Nistelrooy you should be saying, ‘Get me in there now.’ There’s no point waiting until Sunday. Brentford had that turgid draw with Everton last time but Leicester aren’t as good defensively as Sean Dyche’s side. Brentford 2-1 Leicester.
Saturday 3pm: Crystal Palace v Newcastle
Newcastle lost to West Ham and Crystal Palace drew with Aston Villa last time. I fancy Newcastle to bounce back here though. Crystal Palace 1-2 Newcastle.
Saturday 3pm: Nott’m Forest v Ipswich
Nottingham Forest have lost two on the bounce and I’m going to say they’re going to lose this. There’s a lot of spirit with Ipswich, we saw the way they played against Manchester United, and I think they’re good. I think they’ll stay up. Nottingham Forest 1-2 Ipswich.
Saturday 3pm: Wolves v Bournemouth
I’m backing Wolves to win this. I’m delighted they’ve picked up and I’m delighted that, unlike Leicester, they’ve kept their manager Gary O’Neil. They’ve looked at him and thought, ‘You know what, he can do the job,’ and I think they’ll be proven right. Bournemouth are decent but they got beat at home last time which is unusual for them so maybe they’re not quite right at the moment. Wolves 2-0 Bournemouth.
Saturday 5.30pm: West Ham v Arsenal
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
Arsenal will win this. I think they pose a bigger threat to Liverpool’s title hopes than Manchester City to be honest. They’re all back and fit, they had a good result in midweek, and I see them kicking on now. West Ham 0-3 Arsenal.
Sunday 1.30pm: Chelsea v Aston Villa
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
This looks like a good game and Chelsea are hanging on in there in 3rd. I thought they’d wane a little bit but it looks like Enzo Maresca knows his best side, his best midfield. He’s probably delighted he left Leicester as well! Villa have flat lined a bit and they’ve had loads of games recently. That said, I’m going to go for a bit of an upset and for Villa to liven up and sneak it. Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa.
Sunday 1.30pm: Man Utd v Everton
Everton can’t stop drawing and they’re certainly not scoring much. With home advantage and the crowd behind them in Ruben Amorim’s first game at Old Trafford Manchester United should win this. Manchester United 2-1 Everton.
Sunday 1.30pm: Tottenham v Fulham
I know what they’re like but you have to back Tottenham after they destroyed Manchester City 4-0 last week. This will be another good game, quite a lot of the fixtures this week look like good contests. Fulham are well coached but Spurs are good at home. Tottenham 2-1 Fulham.
Sunday 4pm: Liverpool v Man City
TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League
It’s absolutely amazing what’s happening at Manchester City. If you had said a few weeks ago that they were going to lose five on the bounce in all competitions and then what happened on Tuesday… what odds would you have got on the draw after 75 minutes? Absolutely crazy. City were hopeless, it looked like they’d never played football before. It was like, what?
Even when City are playing well they don’t win many games at Anfield. They can turn it around but I’m going for a comfortable Liverpool win. Everything Liverpool touches turns to gold at the moment. I was there for the win over Real Madrid and they were just fab. Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City.
Lawro’s Premier League predictions
Brighton 1-1 Southampton
Brentford 2-1 Leicester
Crystal Palace 1-2 Newcastle
Nottingham Forest 1-2 Ipswich
Wolves 2-0 Bournemouth
West Ham 0-3 Arsenal
Chelsea 1-2 Aston Villa
Manchester United 2-1 Everton
Tottenham 2-1 Fulham
Liverpool 2-0 Manchester City
*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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