Return Entire thread Last 50 posts
Pages: 1-100 101-

Mark Lawrenson's Premier League predictions 2

102 Name: 606 2018-12-04 21:57
Fulham v Leicester

After Sunday's defeat at Stamford Bridge, new Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri faces another of his former clubs - and his old players at Leicester will be desperate to beat him, in the nicest possible way.

The Cottagers were competitive against the Blues and you can already see some signs that they are going to be more difficult to beat - but you cannot just conjure up drastically different results overnight with the same pool of players.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
103 Name: 606 2018-12-04 21:57
Wolves v Chelsea

Wolves' defeat at Cardiff means they have now taken only one point from their past six games, and things are not going to get any easier for them against Chelsea.

Nuno Espirito Santo's team need to find a decent performance from somewhere but, even if they do show some improvement here, that might not be enough for them to get a positive result.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2
104 Name: 606 2018-12-04 21:57
Man Utd v Arsenal (20:00 GMT)

Sunday's north London derby was the perfect script for Arsenal, where they started well, found themselves 2-1 down but came back with a massive bang.

They would have probably beaten anybody with the way they played in the second half - they were that good.

Manchester United dropped more points in their draw at Southampton, but it was not a huge surprise. It was the same old story in many ways, in that they did not play well but managed to get a result.

Despite the contrast in both sides' form, I still have a feeling United will find a way to win game.

They need the three points if they are going to have any chance of making the top four by the end of the year, which is Jose Mourinho's target.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
105 Name: 606 2018-12-04 21:57
Tottenham v Southampton (20:00 GMT)

It was strange to see Southampton boss Mark Hughes get sacked after his side put in such a good performance against Manchester United, but he has paid the price for a string of poor results previously.

Whoever gets the job will have a chance to get to know the Saints squad before the January transfer window opens, and you can envisage him being busy next month - he will need to be.

Tottenham will be stinging after their derby defeat by Arsenal and we will see a reaction here. Whoever is in charge of Southampton will probably be leaving Wembley empty-handed.

Lawro's prediction: 3-0
106 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:14
Bournemouth v Liverpool (12:30 GMT)

This is a big week for Liverpool, who must win their Champions League group game against Napoli on Tuesday to reach the last 16.

They can start it by going top of the Premier League if they beat Bournemouth - but only Manchester United and Arsenal have won at Vitality Stadium this season, and neither of them found it particularly straightforward.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp made some very brave changes in Wednesday's win at Burnley, starting the game without any of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah up front.

When they went 1-0 down at Turf Moor, I was thinking 'this is going to be interesting' but they responded in the right way.

Whatever line-up Klopp goes with this time, this will be a test.

Some of Liverpool's recent performances have been ordinary, while Bournemouth have been great this season, and returned to winning ways against Huddersfield on Tuesday after losing four in a row.

The Cherries play good football and are easy on the eye, but they are not a soft touch - and Liverpool will have to play well to beat them.

I am still really encouraged by Liverpool's season so far, though - their performances have not been great but, in the Premier League, their results have been.

In the Champions League, if Klopp's side had beaten Red Star in Belgrade - and I know it is is a big if - they would be virtually through to the knockout stage already and we would be looking at them in a different light.

They have not been playing well as a team, but I think what they have done so far is really positive, because I am thinking 'wow, what will they do if they really get going?'.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
107 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:32
Arsenal v Huddersfield

Arsenal had a tough game against Manchester United on Wednesday night but they have got a decent-sized squad so I don't see that being an issue here.

I just can't see a situation where Huddersfield can go to Emirates Stadium and win.

This game is not totally inconsequential when it comes to the Terriers' survival hopes, but it will not be a game they will expect to get any points from and, if they do, it will be an absolute bonus.

Lawro's prediction: 3-0
108 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:42
Burnley v Brighton

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was not happy about them, but the tackles that Burnley put in against the Reds on Wednesday night were legal, and they are the kind of thing the Clarets need.

Sean Dyche's side have been too nice to play against this season, so it was nice to see them snarling again - even if they did end up losing the game.

I think Burnley will need a phase of that if they are going to climb out of trouble, starting with the visit of Brighton.

The Seagulls had a great result on Tuesday with their derby win against Crystal Palace and they seem a lot stronger than last season, not least in the way they seem to be able to pick themselves up after a bad result.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
109 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:42
Cardiff v Southampton

New Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl was in the stands to see his new side get comprehensively beaten by Tottenham on Wednesday night, and it will be interesting to see what team he picks after spending so little time with his players.

Hasenhuttl will get a reaction, because suddenly everyone is playing for their place now Mark Hughes has left.

But I don't think he will know too much about Cardiff, and I am pretty sure he won't have crossed paths with Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock before.

So this is a case of 'welcome to the Premier League' for Hasenhuttl and this is going to be a tough test for him.

Cardiff have won three of their last four home games, and I can see them getting another victory here.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
110 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:43
Man Utd v Fulham

I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 live and wondering whether there will be anything different about Manchester United this time. At the moment it is the same story every week.

United have a few issues with their manager and with different areas of their team but the bottom line is that they just cannot seem to win a game - Wednesday's draw with Arsenal was their fourth league game in a row without a victory.

Surely that has to change at home to the Premier League's bottom club, even taking into consideration that Fulham have improved under Claudio Ranieri.

Things have been pretty bad at Old Trafford for a while, but anything but a win would really underline where United are at the moment, and how far they are off the top four.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
111 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:43
West Ham v Crystal Palace

West Ham have had back-to-back wins over Newcastle and Cardiff and they are starting to look far more like a team, although Marko Arnautovic's hamstring injury is a blow.

Crystal Palace will have a point to prove after being beaten by Brighton last time out, but I am going for another Hammers win here.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
112 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:43
Chelsea v Man City (17:30 GMT)

Chelsea made a fabulous start to the season but I have never seen them as genuine contenders in the title race.

This has become an even tougher game for Blues boss Maurizio Sarri with his side losing two of their past three away games, and I am going for a City win here.

Away from the Champions League, very few teams have really tested City this season - Liverpool gave them a good game at Anfield and they drew at Wolves, but Wolves' goal should never have been allowed anyway.

So it is going to be interesting to see how close Chelsea get to them, and whether they can make life difficult for the champions at all. I really do have my doubts.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
113 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:43
Leicester v Tottenham (19:45 GMT)

It has been a while since Leicester last lost - a run of seven games since they were beaten at Arsenal on 22 October.

Tottenham play Barcelona on Tuesday in a game they have to win to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, but I think Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will pick a strong team here.

Finishing in the top four and being in the Champions League in Spurs' first season in their new home will be even more important than getting out of their group this time.

If Spurs do play a strong team, then I think they will win.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
114 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:44

Newcastle v Wolves (16:00 GMT)

Wolves have had a wobble but I wonder if they have turned a corner after their fightback to beat Chelsea on Wednesday.

Newcastle picked up a good point at Everton on the same night, to get back on track a bit after their home defeat by West Ham at the weekend.

Apart from that result against the Hammers, Newcastle have been in decent form for the past few weeks, and I think they will get another draw here.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
115 Name: 606 2018-12-08 12:45

Everton v Watford (20:00 GMT)

This is Marco Silva's current club versus Marco Silva's former club.

I would imagine it will be competitive on the pitch and maybe in the boardroom too, bearing in mind Watford were unhappy with Everton's initial approach for him last year.

In terms of the game, the Toffees are only three points above the Hornets in the table, but in much better form.

Watford, who did not win in November, are yet to win in December, but have been competitive when I have seen them, even though they have taken only one point from their past five matches. I don't see them getting anything here either, however.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
116 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:04
Brighton v Everton

Both of these teams come off this game off the back of really good results, with Brighton holding Arsenal and Everton thumping Burnley.

The Seagulls have become very good at making sure they take something from their home games, but I have a sneaky feeling things might be different this time.

Everton have struggled on their travels this season, and that win at the Clarets was only their second away win in 2018-19, their first on the road since 6 October and their first victory home or away for five matches.

We definitely saw a reaction from their 6-2 home defeat by Tottenham last weekend, and if Marco Silva's side play with the same freedom they did at Turf Moor, they will win this game too.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2
117 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:05
Fulham v Huddersfield

The bottom two teams exchanged places after Wednesday's results, with Fulham's point against Wolves enough to see them climb above Huddersfield, who lost at Manchester United.

Aleksandar Mitrovic had enough chances to win the game for the Cottagers but I just felt while I was watching it that Wolves were always going to score, because Fulham were sitting so deep.

I wanted to say to them to get 20 or 30 yards up the pitch because then, if you make a mistake, someone might be able to recover for you.

Instead, Wolves got in down their left to put in a great cross, Fulham left-back Joe Bryan fell asleep a little bit - and that was all it took for them to drop two points.

If they had held a higher line in the first place, then they would still have had a chance to rectify the problem rather than be left trying to clear the ball from underneath their own crossbar.

I can understand what Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri was trying to do by sitting so deep and not giving Wolves any space in and around their area but once somebody gets behind you like that, with time to put in a measured cross like that one, then you are in trouble.

At least Fulham are scrapping for Ranieri, though, even if they have not won since his first match in charge - which was seven games ago - and the fans are still behind his side.

Huddersfield are still fighting for David Wagner as well and they had enough chances in their defeat by Manchester United to make that game a lot closer.

The Terriers very rarely get taken apart by anyone, but they do not score enough goals to get anything out of games.

It will be interesting to see if Wagner is a little bit more adventurous in this game, because Fulham are the nearest team to them, or does he continue to try to keep things tight?

This will be another close one, but I am expecting Fulham to come out on top.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
118 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:05
Leicester v Cardiff


The emphasis will be on the Foxes to break down Cardiff, and there is also an expectation that Claude Puel's side will win.

They don't usually seem to perform as well in those circumstances, but Saturday should be different.

Cardiff were fortunate to get a point at Crystal Palace, who had 31 shots without managing a goal.

The Bluebirds' still have an awful away record, though, with two points and a total of five goals scored in nine away games this season, and I don't see them getting anything out of this game.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
119 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:08
Tottenham v Wolves

Tottenham are on a roll at the moment - the goals are flowing and they are playing fantastically well.

I would not be surprised if Wolves create a few chances in this game - Bournemouth managed it at Wembley on Wednesday - but Spurs have built up a head of steam and will be difficult to stop.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
120 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:08
Watford v Newcastle

Newcastle were well beaten by Liverpool on Wednesday and I know what Magpies boss Rafael Benitez is like after a heavy loss - he turns the screw even more to try to make it more difficult for teams to beat them.

They will try to keep Watford quiet but I don't see that happening.

The Hornets are inconsistent but they have got some very exciting attacking players and they have also got some goals in them - if they play well, they tend to win.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
121 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:09
Liverpool v Arsenal (17:30 GMT)

I just cannot see past a Liverpool win here, and this is why...

They are playing very well at the moment so I would assume they will have more of the ball than Arsenal will - and I also expect the Reds to make the most of it.

Whoever the Gunners play, they seem to create chances against them - and, whoever Liverpool play, they do not seem to have problems creating lots of chances for themselves.

So, they are going to get openings here and that still stands even if Liverpool are not at their best on the day.

With only seven goals conceded in their 19 league games, Liverpool's defensive record is very strong too.

I think people forget how hard every single Liverpool player works without the ball, which is a massive part of their success.

Liverpool are a very good team and they are in a very good moment. That doesn't mean they won't have bad moments between now and the end of the season but, right now, they are extremely hard to stop.

Can I see them scoring against Arsenal? Yes. Can I see Arsenal scoring at Anfield? No.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
122 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:10

Crystal Palace v Chelsea (12:00 GMT)

Crystal Palace's problem is scoring goals at home, even when they make loads of chances.

I don't see them making loads of chances against Chelsea, so I kind of look at this game and think 'Can I really tip Palace to get a draw, or better?'

No. I don't see it. Chelsea had an off-day against Leicester last weekend, but that does not happen very often under Maurizio Sarri.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
123 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:10
Burnley v West Ham (14:15 GMT)

West Ham have got a lot of injuries to contend with, and it is hard to know what to expect from them at the moment.

Burnley's last home game, a 5-1 defeat by Everton on Wednesday, was a disaster and they simply have improve soon because otherwise they are in big trouble.

You can tell Clarets boss Sean Dyche is feeling the pressure from the way he went into rant mode after his side's defeat by Arsenal last weekend.

After their defeat by the Toffees on Wednesday he admitted they deserve to be in the bottom three, which might be a case of a manager being too honest.

Dyche has to get his players back out on the training ground to put things right, but the problem at this busy time of the year is that there is not much time to do that between games.

Burnley need to show something here - some fight, at least.

One of their problems is that, whoever plays up front, their strikers are all much of a muchness. In the past at least one of them has been in the kind of form to nick them some goals but at the moment none of them look much like scoring.

I am still going to back the Clarets to get a positive result because of what we have seen from them in the past but, at the moment, things do not look good.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
124 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:10
Southampton v Man City (14:15 GMT)

City need to forget they are playing Liverpool next week and play their best team in this game, to get back to winning ways.

They have lost two on the trot but they have not started some of their big stars in those games, so now is the time for Pep Guardiola to get them back in the team from the start, if he can.

As well as being without some key players, it would also help City if opposing teams would stop scoring wonder goals against them, and they have also conceded with the first shot they have faced in three of their past four league games.

But, regardless of the circumstances, they have lost some of the aura they once had. It will be interesting to see if Saints do go out and attack them, because I do think it will help City if that happens.

Lawro's prediction: 0-3
125 Name: 606 2018-12-28 17:11
Man Utd v Bournemouth (16:30 GMT)

Manchester United are on a roll with two wins out of two under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but I still think it is going to be very difficult for them to make the top four.

United have improved because they have got so much quality in their squad and so many of their players had a point to prove, but how long does that last for?

I do think they will beat Bournemouth, who are on a terrible run of eight defeats from their past 10 games, but there are tougher tests to come - such as their trip to Wembley to play Spurs on 13 January.

The Cherries' form has fallen away since the start of November, when they conceded a last-gasp winner against United - it has all gone horribly wrong for them since then.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
126 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:42
Everton v Leicester (12:30 GMT)

I hear there are a few rumblings among the Everton supporters. What's frustrating for them is their team wins 5-1 at Burnley and then loses 1-0 against Brighton - they must wonder what that's all about.

Leicester have had great recent results, with victories over Chelsea and Manchester City. But explain this... they then lose at home to Cardiff!

Both the Foxes and Toffees are quite similar - you look at them and say "kick on" - but then they lose. They're in that group below the top sides.

Everton are at home so I think they'll win this.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
127 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:43
Arsenal v Fulham (15:00 GMT)

I know Liverpool played well in the 5-1 win on Saturday, but Arsenal were horrific defensively. You can't go to Anfield when you've got full-backs who can't run.

The Gunners have got good players, but has the team really changed that much under new manager Unai Emery? When it comes down to the nitty-gritty against good teams they're not good enough defensively. Is keeper Bernd Leno better than Petr Cech? He makes great saves, but does he have presence?

Against top sides they can't keep the goals out and that's a worry.

But this match is against Fulham at home. The Cottagers had a good win at Huddersfield and manager Claudio Ranieri has somewhat steadied the ship - but the Gunners will be victorious.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
128 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:43
Cardiff v Tottenham (17:30 GMT)

I was listening to Tottenham v Wolves on 5 live, but switched the commentary off at half-time thinking the home side would win. They didn't, obviously, but we should focus on the fact Spurs came into the match having won five on the spin.

Are the London club paying for not spending in the summer? I don't think so. Until Saturday they were second in the league. Of course, from Tuesday they have the chance of bringing in someone if they wish.

Mauricio Pochettino's side don't have too many negative "wow" results - they usually comfortably beat teams outside the top six, so they should win in Wales.

What Cardiff have shown this season is they can hang on in there. If they lose a couple of games it doesn't change their philosophy - they just keep going.

Manager Neil Warnock has been open and vocal about looking to bring players in, and I think they've given themselves a chance of staying up.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
129 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:43

Bournemouth v Watford

Bournemouth have collapsed - they've only won two games in 10. They've also lost Simon Francis, their best defender, to a long-term injury.

I don't think the Cherries are in relegation trouble. I'm just a little bit worried they are losing so many games and conceding a lot of goals.

Watford have taken over from Stoke as the most difficult team to predict a result for.

Both these sides will do more than "just enough" to get over the line this season because I predict the amount of points which will result in relegation will be the lowest ever.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
130 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:44
Chelsea v Southampton

What will please Southampton supporters with new boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is his team are having a real go. For those who aren't among the best in the league, there's nothing worse than not having a go.

Southampton are going to be OK with him in charge because they will win games. It's understandable conceding a handful of goals against the top teams; the key to staying in this league is beating the others.

Chelsea are a good, hardened side - they know what to do to win. They now sit five points above Arsenal in fourth but, despite the decent gap, the Champions League positions are not a foregone conclusion. Arsenal bully teams below them and can win half-a-dozen games on the bounce.

That top-five contest will run and run, and won't be done until very late.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
131 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:44
Huddersfield v Burnley





Lawro's prediction: 1-1
132 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:44
West Ham v Brighton

I think the Hammers will get back to winning ways against Brighton.

As much as I love my old team, they never look like taking sides apart away from home. I'm pretty sure Chris Hughton's men won't get relegated because their form at the Amex Stadium is very, very good.

I heard West Ham boss Manuel Pellegrini's comments about the scheduling during the festive period - if that's a problem then he shouldn't have taken the job.

You know at the start of the season it's manic at Christmas and New Year. The Chilean wasn't complaining when his side were on a run of four wins on the bounce.

This period is why the league is so good. It's never going to change unless they bring in a winter break.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
133 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:45
Wolves v Crystal Palace

Palace took until the 85th minute to register a shot on goal in the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.

Will it be a different Palace by the close of the January transfer window? Will they add two or three more players to add to the goal tally? It will be concern if they don't.

Wolves are a good side, and the 3-1 win at Tottenham will kick them on. I had wondered where the goals would come from at Wembley Stadium - how wrong was I?

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
134 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:45
Newcastle v Man Utd (20:00 GMT)

I think we're going slightly over the top with the reaction to Manchester United's winning run under caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. They beat Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth. Yes, they played well in those games, and it's not their fault they faced sides of that level.

They've got a spring back in their step, and arguably one of the best players in world on his day - Paul Pogba - is starting to look like that. The confidence comes back after that run, thinking they can beat anybody. I'll hold judgement until they play Tottenham on 13 January.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez will be slightly upset his side only managed a point against Watford. Rafa will set his team up to stop the visitors, but they win very few games at home.

It's not in Benitez's DNA to 'have a go'. He'll want Solskjaer's side to find a way to try to unlock his team.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
135 Name: 606 2019-01-01 01:45

Man City v Liverpool (20:00 GMT)

Super Thursday! It's a massive fixture.

Because it's Liverpool, Pep Guardiola's side will need to win. The Reds, on the other hand, will be happy with either one of two results - the win or draw.

Of course, they won't play for the draw, but a point will make City's attempt to close the seven-point gap a lot more difficult.

It'll not be an end-to-end encounter - it'll be cagey. It'll be very different to some of last season's clashes between the sides, but similar to their first meeting this season when there were relatively few chances during the 0-0 draw.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will want his potent forward line to get a few opportunities, but if you're either side would you go gung-ho knowing you leave yourself open to the counter-attack?

These two teams will have massive respect for each other's attack, and because of that I think this will be a stalemate.

A 1-1 scoreline will be a far better for Liverpool - privately Klopp will be thinking his team will have a better chance of winning the league if they don't get beaten.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
136 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:38
Burnley v Tottenham (12:30 GMT)

It is great news for Tottenham that Harry Kane is back in training, although I would be surprised if he is thrown straight back in for this game.

Spurs are on a good run, and have shown they do not rely on the England striker, but I see this trip as a very tough test for them.

I have been very impressed with Burnley in recent weeks. They are unbeaten in the league since Boxing Day, and their performances have been as good as their results.

A big improvement in the Clarets' defence has played a big part in that and I don't think they will give much away on Saturday either.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
137 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:39
Bournemouth v Wolves

I was going to back Bournemouth here, because I have seen them do this before - they go away and get rolled over - as has happened in their past two games at Cardiff and Liverpool - then they turn up with a very different performance at home.

But Callum Wilson and David Brooks are both out injured for the Cherries, which is a big blow for them.

Wolves are going very well - into the FA Cup sixth round and with three wins in their past four league games.

It says a lot that they will have been disappointed to only draw with Newcastle in their last league game, but they are still in seventh in the table and they have the chance to really kick on now.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2
138 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:39
Newcastle v Huddersfield

This is a game Newcastle really have to win, and they could climb a few places up the table if they do.

The Magpies should win it too - they are playing a team who are bottom and have taken one point from their past 13 games.

I just don't fancy Huddersfield to score at the moment, which is another reason I think Rafa Benitez's side will come out on top.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
139 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:39
Leicester v Crystal Palace (17:30 GMT)

Leicester had their chances against Tottenham, at Wembley on 10 February, but that defeat means they have taken only one point from their past five games.





Lawro's prediction: 2-0
140 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:40
Arsenal v Southampton (14:05 GMT)

Southampton dropped into the relegation zone after losing to Cardiff last time out, and I think they might stay there for a while longer.

Arsenal have got some issues they need to sort out - Mesut Ozil's future being one of them - but their home record is very good and they should still be too strong for Saints.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
141 Name: Anonymous 2019-02-23 13:40
Man Utd v Liverpool (14:05 GMT)

Manchester United were excellent at Chelsea in the FA Cup on Monday - the result, and their performance too.

It was probably their best display under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, bearing in mind it came after they had been easily dealt with by Paris St-Germain.

Paul Pogba was impressive again at Stamford Bridge and his improvement since Jose Mourinho was sacked is an example of how playing under a different manager can transform a player.

It is true he should have been doing better under Mourinho, but it is perfectly obvious that Pogba needs loving to get the best out of him.

He is such a good player that it is worth keeping him happy and when you have got someone as good as him playing well, it brings all the other players up to his level.

With United playing at the level they are, this will undoubtedly be one of Liverpool's more difficult league games between now and the end of the season.

They have to deal with the history of the whole Manchester United-Liverpool rivalry, and everything that goes with it, as well as United's recent revival. The atmosphere at Old Trafford will be white-hot.

To come away with anything, the Reds will have to keep their heads.

I know from playing in this fixture myself that the tackles will be flying in, so discipline is vital. No-one can afford to make a stupid lunge at someone early on because they will get sent off for it.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
142 Name: 606 2019-02-23 13:40
Chelsea v Man City (Carabao Cup final, 16:30 GMT)

I think Chelsea will be better than they were when Manchester City beat them 6-0 at Etihad Stadium earlier this month, and this will be a much closer game.

I don't see City battering them again, but I do see Pep Guardiola's side beating them. I just don't think Chelsea are good enough defensively.

City are obviously after bigger prizes, but the good thing about winning the Carabao Cup is that it is an early one in the bag.

Even if Chelsea win, I don't think it will be enough to save Maurizio Sarri's job.

It is not just working out for him, and the reaction of their fans to Monday's defeat by Manchester United shows they have already made their minds up about him.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2
143 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:42
Brighton v Southampton

Southampton got an excellent win over Tottenham last time out but they are still living dangerously, just above the relegation zone.

This is a tough game for them, against a Brighton side that are into the FA Cup semi-finals and have won their past two Premier League games.

So, the Seagulls are on the up, and a win here would see them take a huge step towards safety. I think they will get it too.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
144 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:42
Burnley v Wolves

I thought Burnley would have been out of the relegation mix by now, but instead they are in the middle of the fight to stay up.

The Clarets' last game saw them turned over by a Leicester side that were down to 10 men for virtually the entire 90 minutes, which is not the sort of statement you want to be making at this stage of the season.

Burnley have lost their past four games, while Wolves have suffered only one defeat in 12 so, form-wise, there is only one winner.

I just wonder what the Wolves team will look like, though, because they may have next weekend's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on their minds.

They play again in the league before then, against Manchester United on Tuesday, so Nuno Espirito Santo is perhaps more likely to rest players in that game, but I am still going to go with a Burnley win.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
145 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:42
Crystal Palace v Huddersfield

Huddersfield gave it a good go at West Ham last time out but they still lost after being 3-1 up with 15 minutes to go, which kind of sums up why they are so far adrift at the bottom of the table.

This fixture was Huddersfield's first game in the Premier League in August 2017, when they won 3-0 at Selhurst Park, but there is no chance of a repeat result this time around.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
146 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:42
Leicester v Bournemouth

Bournemouth were denied victory late on against Newcastle last time out, and this is a tough trip for them to try to make amends.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers now has two wins out of three and he has started well.

Getting results quickly always makes a big difference to a new boss because your players are more inclined to listen when they are winning games.

It is no coincidence that the Foxes' results have picked up since Jamie Vardy has been back in the starting line-up and I can see them pushing on now until the rest of the season.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
147 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:43
Man Utd v Watford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was announced as permanent Manchester United manager on Thursday. Sometimes a caretaker manager comes in and does really well but you are not sure whether he should get the job full-time, but that is not the case here.

Will Solskjaer keep on winning now his future is sorted out and take three points on Saturday? Yes.

Hornets boss Javi Gracia rested players before his side's FA Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace and I think next weekend's semi-final will be on his mind here.

Watford play again, against Fulham on Tuesday, before they face Wolves at Wembley but I don't think Gracia will play his best XI at Old Trafford.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0
148 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:43
West Ham v Everton (17:30 GMT)

Which West Ham team will turn up this week, and in which half? They have been so up and down recently, it is hard to know.

Everton have been inconsistent too but I look at the way they played in the second half of their win over Chelsea before the international break and think they might be at the start of a little unbeaten run.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1
149 Name: Anonymous 2019-03-30 14:43

Cardiff v Chelsea (14:05 BST)

Cardiff have not played since they beat West Ham on 9 March and, at home, they always give it a go.

Chelsea collapsed against Everton last time out, and I don't think Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has grasped what English football is like yet.

Yes, his side had dominated in the first half at Goodison Park but they did not score.

Sarri was probably not expecting Everton to come out and play as well as they did in the second half, but this is the Premier League and that is why it is different to La Liga and Serie A - here, if you don't punish teams when you are on top, there is always the chance that will happen.

I would still back Chelsea to win on Sunday, though. Sarri has got a lot of quality in his side and, if they are at it in these kind of games, they tend to win.

Lawro's prediction: 0-2
150 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:44
Liverpool v Tottenham (16:30 BST)

People are still saying that Liverpool are not playing particularly well but they have not lost any of their past 10 league games and they are in a very good position.

It doesn't really matter how well they play now anyway, because winning is all that matters for Jurgen Klopp's side.



But Liverpool's eyes are on the prize now. They know how big this game is, and I think they will get the result they need.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1
151 Name: 606 2019-03-30 14:45

Rafa Benitez has taken his Newcastle side on a great run, with only one defeat in their past six games.

The Magpies are as good as safe now, and probably only need one more win to be sure of staying up, but I don't think they will get it here.

While Arsenal have struggled on the road, when they are at home they play with lots of confidence. I can see this almost being a kind of routine victory for them.

It is a worry the Gunners are so different on their travels, though. What that basically says is that everything is good at home when they have loads of the ball and that is the strength of the team when they are going forward - like they should be on Monday.

But, when they are away, and under the cosh more, they can't seem to cope with that. They don't seem to be able to pick up points on a regular basis, and their results in Europe have been disappointing too.

Unai Emery has made plenty of changes after replacing Arsene Wenger as manager but in that regard, it is still 'same old, same old Arsenal'.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Return Entire thread Last 50 posts 1-100
Leave this field blank: