Friday, September 23, 2011

Lawro's predictions



    BBC Sport expert Mark Lawrenson


    BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a new guest pundit each week this season.
    The latest to take centre stage is Wales rugby player Gethin Jenkins, currently on World Cup duty in New Zealand.
    Jenkins backs Manchester United to continue their 100% winning start to the Premier League season but cannot see Welsh side Swansea getting anything from their trip to Stamford Bridge.
    You can see all of his predictions on Football Focus on Saturday at 1215 BST on BBC One and this website (in the UK).
    This week's predictions Score Lawro Gethin Jenkins
    Arsenal v Bolton x-x 2-1 2-1
    Chelsea v Swansea x-x 3-0 3-1
    Liverpool v Wolves x-x 2-0 1-1
    Man City v Everton x-x 2-0 2-0
    Newcastle v Blackburn x-x 2-1 1-2
    Norwich v Sunderland x-x 2-2 1-2
    QPR v Aston Villa x-x 1-1 1-1
    Stoke v Man Utd x-x 1-2 0-2
    West Brom v Fulham x-x 1-1 2-1
    Wigan v Tottenham x-x 0-2 1-2
    A correct result is worth ONE point while a correct score earns THREE points.
    Last week, Lawro got three results right and no perfect scores, and his three points were beaten by actor Gary Oldman, who scored eight points.
    LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS SATURDAY
    All kick-offs 1500 BST unless stated
    Man City v Everton Manchester City v Everton (1245 BST) Everton didn't have the luxury, unlike City, of resting most of their main players in the Carling Cup.
    I know the Toffees traditionally have a good record at City, but with the vast array of talent at Roberto Mancini's disposal it will be tough for David Moyes and his team.
    Prediction: 2-0
    Arsenal v Bolton Arsenal v Bolton Both have had poor starts to the season. Unusually, Arsene Wenger castigated his players after they lost 4-3 at Blackburn last week.
    But you can't just buy players on the last day of the transfer deadline and expect them to knit together. Even so, Bolton's confidence, despite this week's Carling Cup win, is zero.
    Prediction: 2-1
    Chelsea v Swansea Chelsea v Swansea Swansea are clearly getting all the big ones out of the way at the start. They will find it hard work at Chelsea, who really impressed me against Manchester United, despite losing.
    The position of Juan Mata is so important. He has to play, centrally, behind Fernando Torres. He looks sharper now.
    Prediction: 3-0
    Liverpool v Wolves Liverpool v Wolves Wolves' great start to the season has quickly faded. And as they won at Anfield last year, Liverpool will have a bone to pick with them.
    Craig Bellamy and Luis Suarez looked exceptionally sharp against Brighton in midweek. Whether Bellamy can play again in such a short space of time, I don't know.
    Prediction: 2-0
    Newcastle v Blackburn Newcastle v Blackburn Remarkably, Newcastle are unbeaten so far. It probably won't last too long, of course, but it's still impressive.
    Blackburn's comeback against Arsenal was great - but that game could've been any score. Rovers' midfield was non-existent. It will be physical encounter between these two teams.
    Prediction: 2-1
    West Brom v Fulham West Brom v Fulham It's been a poor start for Roy Hodgson's West Brom, something none of us really expected. Defensively they are usually so disciplined.
    With Fulham, the squad players did very well against Chelsea in the Carling Cup. I believe, despite their fans worrying, they'll be absolutely fine.
    Prediction: 1-1
    Wigan v Tottenham Wigan v Tottenham Spurs have got the bit between the teeth - their midfield of Bale-Modric-Parker-Krancjar was outstanding against Liverpool.
    That's a big problem for Wigan. The way Spurs moved the ball at times was breathtaking - and the Wigan pitch is still good, something else Tottenham will like.
    Prediction: 0-2
    Stoke City v Man Utd Stoke v Manchester United (1730 BST) The way Stoke conceded four goals against Sunderland was so unlike them, so haphazard.
    Tony Pulis does have a good squad, actually, but even so Manchester United just keep rolling over everybody at the moment. And their big names have had a week off.
    Prediction: 1-2
    SUNDAY
    QPR v Aston Villa QPR v Aston Villa (1600 BST) QPR have played really well for a couple of matches now, Joey Barton's a good player and Shaun Wright-Phillips looks electric. In that form, he's very difficult to play against.
    But have they got goals in them? I expect Villa will be cautious - they'll go into their 4-5-1 shell away from home.
    Prediction: 1-1
    MONDAY
    Norwich v Sunderland Norwich v Sunderland (2000 BST) It was a great win for Norwich at Bolton last week, if a little fortuitous. Maybe we've not given them as much praise as they deserve.
    Sunderland look like a different team now after that big 4-0 win against Stoke. A draw would certainly keep both teams ticking over.
    Prediction: 2-2
    Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Whyatt.
    LEADERBOARD SCORE
    Shaun Edwards 11
    Gary Oldman 8
    Richard Archer 8
    Mark Lawrenson (average) 5
    Jimmy Anderson 4
    Samuel L Jackson 2
    Lawro's best score: seven points (week three).
    Lawro's worst score: three points (week five).
    Make your own predictions to see how the Premier League will look after this weekend.