Premier League predictions: Lawro v singer-songwriter and Everton fan Zuzu

The Premier League is back - with different faces in a few of the dugouts.

Three managers take charge of their new teams for the first time this weekend, but who will have the biggest immediate - or lasting - impact?

"For someone getting their first job in the Premier League, I can't think of many better places to be than Aston Villa," said BBC Sport expert Mark Lawrenson.

"They have got some good players, they spend money and they are in a false position at the moment. I am sure Steven Gerrard will give them a lift, and they have a much better chance of climbing away from the relegation zone in the next few weeks than Newcastle or Norwich do.

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

This week's guest is singer-songwriter and Everton fan Zuzu, whose new album Queensway Tunnel - named after the tunnel under the Mersey linking Liverpool and Birkenhead - was released last week.

Zuzu is a lifelong Evertonian, not that she had much choice in the matter.

"I think I knew what Everton was before I even knew what football was," she told BBC Sport. "That's what it was like in my house.

"My dad, my grandad, and all of my uncles - I've got a big family - they are all massive Blues.

"My grandad is obsessed, but he refuses to watch games on TV. My dad got him all set up in his living room to watch a game once but he said 'no, I'll watch it on the radio, thanks'.

"I grew up in the David Moyes era, and my favourite player was Leighton Baines for multiple reasons. He was the biggest of teamplayers, who would get everyone else motivated.

"Baines is into his music too and I'd love to meet him - I feel like everyone around me has met him but I never have, which is sad. If he wants to come and see me play at the Academy in Liverpool on 5 December then I would absolutely love that!"

Five top-flight clubs have changed their manager already this season. Could Everton be next?

Current Toffees boss Rafael Benitez has only been in charge since the end of June but his Liverpool connections made him an unpopular choice with some fans even before his side's poor run of form - they have taken only two points from their past five games.

"Some Evertonians are always going to have a bit of a bee in their bonnet about him," said Zuzu. "But he definitely deserves more time, whatever people thought about him getting the job in the first place.

"When I was growing up, the Everton I knew had Moyes in charge for 11 years. That seems mad because it just doesn't happen now - people get sacked after two minutes.

"We're not doing too well at the moment but I try not to judge managers too heavily this early on, because I know it takes a long time to build a team properly."

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS

Games kick off at 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated

SATURDAY

Leicester 0-3 Chelsea

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Zuzu's prediction: 1-3

Match report

Aston Villa 2-0 Brighton

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Zuzu's prediction: 1-2

Match report

Burnley 3-3 Crystal Palace

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Zuzu's prediction: 1-2

Match report

Newcastle 3-3 Brentford

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Zuzu's prediction: 1-0

Match report

Norwich 2-1 Southampton

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Zuzu's prediction: 0-1

Match report

Watford 4-1 Man Utd

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Zuzu's prediction: 0-1

Match report

Wolves 1-0 West Ham

Wolves saw their good run ended with a home defeat by Crystal Palace and I think this will end up with a similar outcome.

West Ham are sweeping all before them at the moment and they got an excellent win over Liverpool last time out. Tactically, the Hammers were almost perfect in that game too.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2

Zuzu's prediction: 0-3

Match report

Liverpool 4-0 Arsenal

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Zuzu's prediction: 2-1

Match report

SUNDAY

Man City v Everton (14:00 GMT)

Everton lack a threat without injured striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin but it is at the back that I am more worried about them at Etihad Stadium.

I don't see the Toffees scoring, or keeping City quiet either.

Lawro's prediction: 3-0

Zuzu's prediction: I've tried to be as realistic as possible here, but optimistic at the same time. I can't back against Everton but we are going to have to work very hard to get this result. 1-1

Tottenham v Leeds (16:30 GMT)

Leeds are another team who I think are lacking something defensively.

Tottenham manager Antonio Conte still hasn't had much chance to work with his players since he took charge at the start of the month but they should create plenty of chances here. If Harry Kane is firing, they will win comfortably enough.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Zuzu's prediction: I reckon Spurs will be a bit better than they have been - they need a good performance at home. 1-0

Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.

How did Lawro do last week?

In the last set of games before the international break, Lawro got four correct results from 10 matches, with no exact scores, for a total of 40 points.

He drew with Murray and Tav from indie band Fur, who also got four correct results with no exact scores.

GUEST LEADERBOARD 2021-22