Mark Lawrenson’s 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 batch…
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
Chelsea have been very skittish so far and even in the game they won, against Brighton, they gave up a lot of chances.
Liverpool took them apart very comfortably and then they found themselves 3-0 down against West Brom. They responded well, and rescued themselves in that game, but Blues boss Frank Lampard must be wondering what his side are going to serve up next.
Chelsea always look like scoring, but defensively they have been all over the place. I do think they will improve at the back, though, once Thiago Silva settles in and has a regular partner, because he is a proper player.
So, I am going to go with them to break down Palace – they have definitely got the tools to do that, even though the Eagles always keep things pretty tight. If they get a clean sheet too, then I’d imagine Frank will be ecstatic.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Everton v Brighton
Brighton were so unlucky to somehow lose against Manchester United in their last league game. If they keep playing like that, they will finish in the top 10.
The Seagulls look potent going forward, which is one of the ways they have improved, but no-one will want to play Everton at the moment. Toffees striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin is absolutely flying and cannot stop scoring.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Leeds v Man City
Leeds are still strengthening their squad but the one thing you can be sure about with all of their signings is that they can run. A pre-requisite for all of their players seems to be that they can cover some ground.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have been fabulous so far and it is going to be fascinating to see how he approaches this game against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Guardiola will have a plan too, of course, but both coaches have a mutual admiration of each other.
City looked unprepared in their defeat by Leicester last weekend, which is most unusual for them under Guardiola – I am pretty sure it won’t happen again here.
I am expecting it to be a very good game. A lot of teams show massive respect to City and sit deep but I don’t think Leeds will do that.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-2
Newcastle v Burnley
Newcastle have had their fair share of fortune in the past few days, firstly with that last-gasp penalty to draw with Tottenham, and then to get past League Two side Newport via a shoot-out.
If their luck continues then it might be a good time to ask Magpies boss Steve Bruce for his numbers for Saturday’s National Lottery draw, although I actually think things will be a little more straightforward for them this time.
It appears all is not well at Burnley, in terms of the relationship between the manager and the board anyway, and maybe a third defeat in their first three league games will help to persuade the club they need to back Sean Dyche in the transfer market.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Leicester v West Ham
West Ham got their first league win of the season last weekend against Wolves. It was an impressive result and they deserved it, because they played extremely well.
They won’t be afraid of the Foxes, because they will sit in and deny them space to run into. That sounds ridiculous coming off the back of a 4-0 scoreline but that is the format that might give them success here too.
I just fancy Leicester to take this one, though. Jamie Vardy is in great form and will be full of confidence after his hat-trick against Manchester City. I don’t see the Hammers keeping him out.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Southampton v West Brom
Southampton are up and running after beating Burnley last time out, and they played well in that game too.
You could see how much the result meant to Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl by the way he ran on to the pitch at full-time – he knew if they had played three and lost three then it would have put them under pressure right at the beginning of the season.
West Brom came close to a morale-boosting win of their own after starting really well against Chelsea – but then they got penned in and could not get out of their own half as their 3-0 lead was whittled away.
Even so, I am sure Baggies boss Slaven Bilic would have taken a point before the game – although I think they are going to have to wait a little longer for their first victory.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Arsenal v Sheffield United
Still no points and no goals for Sheffield United so far this season. Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster is apparently the man Blades boss Chris Wilder wants to bolster his forward line, and they definitely need to strengthen there.
As I’ve said before, the Blades have got Championship strikers who have done brilliantly for them – but they basically need a Danny Ings to lead their line. Mind you, so does half the Premier League.
I know Arsenal lost at Anfield on Monday but I thought they were really competitive and they had a purpose about the way they played.
The tempo they played at was good too. Yes, they were beaten by a very good Liverpool team but another performance like that will secure the points this time.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Wolves v Fulham
Wolves were well beaten by West Ham over the weekend but I don’t see Fulham giving them too many problems.
The Cottagers are bottom of the table with three defeats from three, with 10 goals conceded, and I don’t think the comments from their vice chairman Tony Khan, who apologised to fans after they lost to Aston Villa, has helped their situation much.
The one positive that might come from it is that Khan mentioned some new signings and you have to presume Fulham boss Scott Parker might get them now.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Man Utd v Tottenham (16:30 BST)
It’s not just United’s back four which is a problem – it is the protection, or lack of it, in front of them that really astonished me against Brighton.
Brighton were allowed to play in and around United’s 18-yard box, which I could not understand. Solskjaer has got to find a better balance in his midfield because, yes, they were great going forward – but they look like they are going to concede goals too.
Spurs created plenty of chances against Newcastle last weekend, but could not beat Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow. I am going with United because of their attacking power, but it is going to be very close.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Aston Villa v Liverpool
This fixture turned into a pivotal game for Liverpool last season – they were 1-0 down with three minutes left last November, but ended up winning 2-1.
It was one of those games where Jurgen Klopp’s side were not at their best, but still found a way to win.
Liverpool are playing well at the moment, though. Yes, you could say the same about Aston Villa – and they already look a better team than they were last season – but you have to consider who they have played so far.
Villa beat Sheffield United, who are yet to score a goal, and Fulham, who have shipped plenty. Liverpool are a much sterner proposition at both ends.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-2
How did Lawro do last week?
From last weekend’s games, Lawro got four correct results, with no exact scores, for a total of 40 points.
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