Liverpool host Arsenal in the big Premier League showdown of the weekend, but who will come out on top?
BBC Sport’s predictions expert Mark Lawrenson is backing the European champions to come through, but do you agree?
Last week, Lawro and guest swimmer Adam Peaty both predicted a win for Manchester City against Tottenham and 62% of you agreed. But only 18% of you were correct – with the teams drawing 2-2. The other 20% thought Spurs would get a win.
Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.
His guest this week is rugby league star Stefan Ratchford.
Ratchford, 31, is preparing for this weekend’s Challenge Cup final as his side Warrington Wolves take on big rivals St Helens at Wembley. The England full-back has made 260 appearances in the Super League and has 93 career tries.
But he could have been a footballer alongside his favourite players Virgil van Dijk and Roberto Firmino.
“The lads don’t believe me but I was offered a six-week trial at Liverpool when I was a kid,” Ratchford told BBC Sport. “I was really keen because I’m a Liverpool fan but I had already agreed to sign for Salford Red Devils that week!”
| Premier League predictions – week three | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Lawro | Stefan | |
| FRIDAY | |||
| Aston Villa v Everton | 2-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
| SATURDAY | |||
| Norwich v Chelsea | 2-3 | 1-2 | 1-3 |
| Brighton v Southampton | 0-2 | 0-2 | 2-0 |
| Man Utd v Crystal Palace | 1-2 | 2-0 | 3-1 |
| Sheff Utd v Leicester | 1-2 | 0-1 | 1-1 |
| Watford v West Ham | 1-3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Liverpool v Arsenal | X-X | 2-1 | 2-0 |
| SUNDAY | |||
| Bournemouth v Man City | X-X | 0-3 | 1-3 |
| Tottenham v Newcastle | X-X | 2-0 | 3-0 |
| Wolves v Burnley | X-X | 2-1 | 2-1 |
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
LAWRO’S PREDICTIONS
All kick-offs 15:00 BST unless stated.
FRIDAY
Aston Villa 2-0 Everton
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Stefan’s prediction: 1-1
SATURDAY
Norwich 2-3 Chelsea
Lawro’s prediction: 1-2
Stefan’s prediction: 1-3
Brighton 0-2 Southampton
Lawro’s prediction: 0-2
Stefan’s prediction: 2-0
Man Utd 1-2 Crystal Palace
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Stefan’s prediction: 3-1
Sheffield Utd 1-2 Leicester
Lawro’s prediction: 0-1
Stefan’s prediction: 1-1
Watford 1-3 West Ham
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Stefan’s prediction: 2-1
Liverpool 3-1 Arsenal
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Stefan’s prediction: 2-0
SUNDAY
Bournemouth v Man City (14:00 BST)
Man City will still be annoyed about last weekend when VAR ruled out that late winner against Tottenham but it should be a routine win this weekend.
The problem for Bournemouth is that City have the ability to unpick their defence. Eddie Howe’s side had a good win against Aston Villa but I can’t see them getting a result here.
Lawro’s prediction: 0-3
Stefan’s prediction: 1-3
Tottenham v Newcastle (16:30 BST)
Tottenham are getting used to playing at home now – that usually takes a bit of time.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are still a bit all over the place. They have already lost to Norwich and Arsenal but remember, former boss Rafael Benitez had a bad start last season and they picked things up. Steve Bruce has made some new signings and the fans just need to get behind the team now.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Stefan’s prediction: 3-0
Wolves v Burnley (16:30 BST)
Burnley have made a good start and were unlucky to lose 2-1 at Arsenal last Saturday. We know the threat Ashley Barnes has for them but Wolves create a lot of chances of their own.
Wolves will have enough time to recover from their Europa League game on Thursday and I think they will grind out a win. It’s always tough against Burnley, though – that’s a given.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Stefan’s prediction: 2-1
Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport’s Emma Sanders.
How did Lawro do last week?
On the second weekend of the Premier League season, Lawro got six correct results, including two exact scores, out of 10 matches for a total of 120 points.
He beat Olympic swimming gold medallist Adam Peaty, who got seven correct results but only one exact score, for a tally of 100 points.
| +/- DENOTE POSITION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAWRO’S TABLE AND ACTUAL POSITION | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEAM | P | W | D | L | PTS | +/- | |
| =1 | Arsenal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| =1 | Liverpool | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| =3 | Brighton | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -15 |
| =3 | Bournemouth | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -4 |
| =3 | Everton | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -1 |
| =3 | Man City | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| =3 | Man Utd | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -11 |
| =3 | Sheff Utd | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -3 |
| =3 | Tottenham | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | -5 |
| =10 | Burnley | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| =10 | Norwich | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -9 |
| =12 | Leicester | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | +3 |
| =12 | Wolves | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | -5 |
| =14 | Chelsea | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | +9 |
| =14 | Crystal Palace | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| =14 | West Ham | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -2 |
| =17 | Aston Villa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +6 |
| =17 | Newcastle | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +4 |
| =17 | Southampton | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +3 |
| =17 | Watford | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +7 |
GUEST LEADERBOARD 2019-20
| Score | Guest leaderboard |
|---|---|
| 110 (average score after two weeks) | Lawro |
| 100 | Adam Peaty |
| 90 | Helen Housby, Jo Harten |
