Mark Lawrenson’s opening day Premier League predictions are finally revealed as we look forward to what will be a busy weekend of football.
The former Preston, Brighton, Liverpool and Ireland footballer, turned Oxford and Peterborough manager, now a BBC Sport ‘football expert’, has given his verdict on who might spring a surprise.
Lawro will make predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, so take a look at what he had to say for this first batch…
Fulham v Arsenal (12:30 BST)
With no fans allowed into grounds, Fulham will not get any of the usual buzz or lift that newly promoted teams get from their fans when they are at home on the opening day of the season.
The Cottagers must know most people think they will go straight back down, but their manager Scott Parker can use that as a way of motivating them.
I saw quite a bit of them in the Championship last season and they try to play good football, with the option of using Aleksandar Mitrovic as a target man too.
I just think Arsenal will be ready for them, though. For obvious reasons, it does not seem like very long at all since the Gunners won the FA Cup final.
Since then, they have won the Community Shield too, which is as competitive as it gets for a friendly. I’d expect them to be sharp.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-2
Crystal Palace v Southampton
Southampton finished the season very strongly, and Danny Ings could not stop scoring.
Palace’s form was at the other end of the scale, with seven straight defeats and then a draw in their final eight games.
That will all be forgotten now, though. There won’t be any hangover from the previous campaign even though this is a much quicker turnaround than usual. Most of the time footballers do not even remember what happened last week.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Liverpool v Leeds (17:30 BST)
Leeds are another team I’ve seen a lot of in the Championship and I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on in the top flight. I love the way they play.
They are very Liverpool-like in terms of their pressing and their pace and I don’t see them struggling at all, even if this is an especially difficult opening game for them.
I like the look of Leeds’ new striker Rodrigo and keep an eye out for Pablo Hernandez in midfield, who you might remember from his time with Swansea in the Premier League a few years back.
He is 35 now and doesn’t start many games, but what a player he is when he comes off the bench – he has got fantastic vision and sees things no-one else in that team sees.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
West Ham v Newcastle (20:00 BST)
West Ham fans are clearly miffed about the sale of Grady Diangana to West Brom. I don’t know why they sold him – how can it be for financial reasons when they have just bid about £27m for Burnley defender James Tarkowski?
Newcastle, meanwhile, come into the new season on the back of some really good signings like Callum Wilson, Ryan Fraser and Jeff Hendrick. You can see what Steve Bruce is thinking – he wanted some players who know all about the Premier League.
This will be close, but I’m going with the Hammers. David Moyes has had some time to work with his team and, if they can get Tarkowski in – or someone like him – they will be safer, quicker, this time.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
West Brom v Leicester (14:00 BST)
It feels like West Brom have got a tough season ahead of them. Defensively I am not convinced by them at all.
Leicester have lost Ben Chilwell to Chelsea but as long as Jamie Vardy is in the side they are a threat. They will be too strong for the Baggies.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-2
Tottenham v Everton (16:30 BST)
Everton’s midfield is starting to look seriously impressive after Carlo Ancelotti’s recent recruitment drive, but they still look short of firepower.
Tottenham are also taking shape under Jose Mourinho and they have done good business over the summer too. I still think they need a proper back-up for Harry Kane, though.
I’d go with Spurs to edge this one, but I don’t see either team making the top four this season.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Sheff Utd v Wolves (18:00 BST)
Sheffield United did far better than I expected last season, but I still have my doubts about whether they have got enough goals in their side. I look forward to them proving me wrong.
Wolves also had an excellent campaign, and now they have to try to match it. Like the Blades, they are always very competitive and I’m expecting a decent battle here.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Brighton v Chelsea (20:00 BST)
If he stays fit, Adam Lallana will give Brighton something a bit different in midfield – he is a very clever player.
We already know the Seagulls are solid at the back and I look at them as being capable of finishing top of the bottom eight – or out of trouble in other words.
This is a tricky opener for them, though. Yes, Chelsea’s new signings will take a little bit of time to gel, but you just know they are going to have a good season because they have so many good players.
N’Golo Kante’s future with the Blues is still uncertain, which would ordinarily be a blow. But it seems like Lampard has a replacement lined up in the shape of West Ham’s Declan Rice, who would be another excellent buy.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-2
How did he do last season?
Lawro made a prediction for all 380 Premier League games last season and the final table based on all of his predictions is at the bottom of this page.
In Lawro’s league table, Manchester City finished as champions, with Liverpool unbeaten and in second place – but with five points more than they managed in real life.
Overall, he had four teams out of 20 in their correct positions, with seven others only one or two places out.
What do you make of Mark Lawrenson’s opening day Premier League predictions? Let us know by commenting on our social media pages!
You must be logged in to post a comment Login