The #premierleagueisback on Saturday and therefore so are Premier League predictions.
We have rounded up the predictions from three prolific tipsters ahead of the 2016-17 season, which is just hours away now!
Check out who Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, BBC Sport‘s Mark Lawrenson and CaughtOffside’s very own Rob Summerscales are backing to open up with wins below.
Predictions 13/8/16???#HCFC 0-3 #LCFC#BFC 2-1 #Swans#CPFC 2-0 #WBA#EFC 1-3 #THFC#MFC 2-0 #SCFC#SaintsFC 1-0 #WatfordFC#MCFC 5-1 #SAFC
— Robert Summerscales (@robsummerscales) August 12, 2016
Saturday’s Premier League predictions
Rob
Hull 0-3 Leicester
Burnley 2-1 Swansea
Crystal Palace 2-0 West Brom
Everton 1-3 Tottenham
Middlesbrough 2-0 Stoke
Southampton 1-0 Watford
Man City 5-1 Sunderland
Lawro
Hull 0-2 Leicester
Burnley 1-1 Swansea
Crystal Palace 2-1 West Brom
Everton 1-1 Tottenham
Middlesbrough 1-0 Stoke
Southampton 2-1 Watford
Man City 2-0 Sunderland
Merson
Hull 0-2 Leicester
Burnley 1-1 Swansea
Crystal Palace 1-0 West Brom
Everton 1-1 Tottenham
Middlesbrough 1-1 Stoke
Southampton 1-0 Watford
Man City 2-0 Sunderland
As you can see, Rob, Lawro and Merson all fancy Leicester City to begin the defence of their Premier League title with three points and a clean sheet against Hull City, who barely have enough players to put a team out.
The trio are also in agreement over three other results, with Crystal Palace, Southampton and Manchester City comprehensively backed to beat West Bromwich Albion, Watford and Sunderland respectively.
None of the three tipsters think new boys Burnley or Middlesbrough will lose, while Everton v Tottenham is down as a 1-1 draw in these eyes of Lawro and Merson, but not Spurs fan Rob, who is backing the away side to the tune of a 3-1 victory.
Weekend predictions continued…#AFCB 1-2 #MUFC#AFC 2-4 #LFC#CFC 2-2 #WHUFC
? ?? #premierleagueisback— Robert Summerscales (@robsummerscales) August 12, 2016
Sunday and Monday’s Premier League predictions
Rob
Bournemouth 1-2 Man United
Arsenal 2-4 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-2 West Ham
Lawro
Bournemouth 0-2 Man United
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-0 West Ham
Merson
Bournemouth 0-3 Man United
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
Chelsea 2-0 West Ham
Sunday kicks of with Manchester United – fresh from their Community Shield win of Leicester – visiting Bournemouth, where all three tipsters expect them to win.
A depleted Arsenal then host Liverpool in what is arguably the game of the weekend. Former Liverpool star Lawro and Arsenal legend Merson say draw, but Rob is going for a high-scoring away win.
Rob explained: “I reckon Liverpool will have another season of ups and downs, but on their day they can be incredible. For example, last weekend – I know it was only a friendly – but they blitzed Barcelona at times in a stunning 4-0 win.
“With the players Arsenal are missing this weekend, the Gunners look very vulnerable against a Reds attack full of pace and purpose. If Jurgen Klopp’s men start fast, this could get very messy!”
The final game of the weekend is a London derby as Antonio Conte’s Chelsea take on West Ham United at Stamford Bridge. A 2-0 home win is on the cards, according to Lawro and Merson, but Rob sees the Hammers taking a point.
“West Ham have had a comprehensive preseason, including two competitive games in the Europa League, and they are nicely gelled as a team. Chelsea, on the other hand, have only had their new manager for a month or so.
“Conte is keen to implement fresh ideas, which will take time – something the Hammers won’t give them on Monday.
“Slaven Bilic’s side will not let Chelsea settle and Stratford outfit could even sneak a victory, but I’m going for an entertaining draw.”