Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson has made predictions for the weekend’s Premier League matches.
The weekend round of matches starts as Leicester City host Manchester City at the King Power Stadium. Brighton will host Chelsea at the American Community Stadium, and Liverpool will face Leeds United later on Saturday.
Arsenal and Manchester United will welcome Nottingham Forest and West Ham United at the Emirates and Old Trafford respectively.
Previewing the Premier League round of matches on PaddyPower.com. Mark Lawrenson said:
Leicester City V Manchester City
“It’s a tough one for Leicester as they’re just starting to hit form and Manchester City are the last team you want to play when you’re looking for confidence. They had four shots on target and scored four against Wolves but it’s City and we know what they’re like. They played earlier in the week, but Erling Haaland came off at half time. He’ll be fit and ready to go. Prediction: Leicester 0-2 Manchester City.”
Bournemouth v Tottenham
“Bournemouth thought they were hard done by at West Ham last week, though I thought West Ham deserved to win. They’ve lost two in a row now. Tottenham will be fired up after that nonsense with VAR during the week and Gary O’Neil’s in a tough place now the honeymoon period is over. Prediction: Bournemouth 1-2 Tottenham. “
Brentford v Wolves
“These two both lost 4-0 last time out so they’ll be looking for a reaction. Brentford are good at home, but I just have a feeling Wolves will win this. I don’t know why I think Wolves will score twice but it might be a good time to play Brentford! Prediction: Brentford 1-2 Wolves.”
Brighton v Chelsea
“Brighton goes through these spells when they struggle to score, especially at home, and they’ve only taken two points since Graham Potter left for Chelsea. Chelsea are going well and they won again during the week. Potter looks like a good fit for them. Prediction: Brighton 0-2 Chelsea.”
Crystal Palace v Southampton
“Southampton had a good result last week while Palace got done 3-0 at Everton. I think this might be a draw. Palace will have been a little bit unsettled to concede three goals in the way they did at Everton and Southampton are on a little bit of a decent run. Maybe it’s ‘Ralph in’ again! Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Southampton.“
Newcastle v Aston Villa
“Newcastle are going very well. The only game they’ve lost this season was at Liverpool where they wasted loads of time and got done in injury time. Eddie Howe’s done a really impressive job there and they’ve not gone that mad in terms of the transfers. Unai Emery, he’s not had long but we know he’s a good manager, and he must be wondering how this team pulled off that great 4-0-win last weekend. Prediction: Newcastle 2-0 Aston Villa.”
Fulham v Everton
“Fulham are doing fab and beat Leeds last time out. Everton have got a purpose now Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s back in. I’ll go for a draw here. Fulham are just getting on with it nicely and Aleksandar Mitrovic looks like he’s going to keep scoring on a regular basis. Prediction: Fulham 1-1 Everton.”
Liverpool v Leeds
“The problem with Leeds is that they are competitive, they’re just lacking a bit of guile. Patrick Bamford is only going to get match fit by playing games and he’s the best finisher they’ve got. Liverpool had a great result in the Champions League, but they are down to the bare bones a little bit. I think they’ll bounce back from that Nottingham Forest game, though. Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Leeds.”
Arsenal v Nottingham Forest
“What I thought was great about Mikel Arteta last week was that he was really disappointed to only get a draw against Southampton. If the players really feel that way too then that’s a good sign. They’re at home, they create lots of chances, and there’s a good atmosphere at The Emirates at the moment. I don’t think Forest can recreate the Liverpool result. Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Nottingham Forest.”
Manchester United v West Ham
“Both are playing on Thursday night so that means there’ll be some chopping and changing. I’ll go for Manchester United to win this. I know West Ham are up to 10th and they’ve had a couple of good results. Maybe Cristiano Ronaldo will score, we can’t have a day where we’re not going on about him, can we? Prediction: Manchester United 2-1 West Ham.”
