Mark Lawrenson's Premier League Matchday 38 Predictions

[THFC6061]

SATURDAY

Chelsea v Man City (1245 GMT)

Chelsea had a big game in midweek in the Champions League away at Inter. But they have all returned fit, apart from the goalkeeper, and I think they'll bounce back from their 2-1 first-leg defeat in Milan to win here.
You have to be careful what you wish for sometimes because City brought in new boss Roberto Mancini when they sacked Mark Hughes but the Italian has made no difference. It is a worrying time for City and to compound things they don't look threatening in front of goal.
Verdict: 2-0


Birmingham v Wigan

Wigan are starting to worry me. Tottenham completely took them apart last week despite having to play on a pitch that resembled a cabbage patch at the DW Stadium. I suspect Wigan are fearful of dropping into the relegation zone.
Birmingham are due a return to better form. They were beaten, courtesy of two top quality goals, at Fulham last week but I'm backing them to rediscover the edge they had a few weeks ago.
Verdict: 2-1


Bolton v Wolverhampton

Bolton have had a really bad run, but this happens to quite a few teams. And just as Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce has turned around his side's fortunes after some poor results, I feel Owen Coyle will do the same at Bolton - he is a very good manager.
Wolves played well against Chelsea last week and created a lot of chances but defensively they were poor for both goals. I'm predicting that will be their downfall again and Coyle will pick up his first win since taking charge at Bolton.
Verdict: 2-0


Burnley v Portsmouth

Portsmouth have effectively been relegated following their nine-point deduction for going into administration. But I think the players will now be able to play with greater freedom as the pressure is off them. Pompey could be dangerous opponents for the next few weeks.
The way that Burnley conceded the last three goals in the 5-2 defeat as Aston Villa last weekend was very alarming and they will have to be stronger defensively.
Verdict: 1-1


Stoke v Arsenal (1730 GMT)

Stoke have not lost in 2010 and claimed another good win in midweek against Manchester City in their FA Cup replay. But I am going to go for an Arsenal win. To lose an unbeaten record after so many games is nothing to be ashamed of if it is to a side the calibre of Arsenal.
The fact that Stoke beat the Gunners in the FA Cup, and beat them easily, makes me think we will see a different Arsenal - out to make amends for that 3-1 loss in January.
Verdict: 0-2


SUNDAY

Tottenham v Everton (1300 GMT)

Everton's 3-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon on Thursday ended their Europa League hopes and was a real blow for them. I thought they had a good chance of going to Lisbon and winning, or at least getting through the tie.
Tottenham have very good home form. The 3-0 win at Wigan last week was a good result, they have competition for places and I'm backing them to compound Everton's misery.
Verdict: 2-1


Liverpool v Blackburn

Liverpool are playing well and have had some really good wins of late. Putting aside the 1-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier this month they are stringing together some positive results, including in the Europa League.
By virtue of their home form, Blackburn are going to be safe from relegation. They will be able to build on that in the summer but for now they will not have enough to threaten Liverpool.
Verdict: 2-0


Sunderland v Fulham

Arguably, Fulham produced the result of the week to draw 1-1 at Shakhtar Donetsk to progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League 3-2 on aggregate. However, they have paid the price a bit with an injury to in-form striker Bobby Zamora which could rule him out for the trip to the Stadium of Light.
It feels like Sunderland have not won in years! However, they have good players and a good manager in Steve Bruce and in light of Fulham's travelling and a potential comedown from the elation of Thursday's result, I'm backing the Black Cats to finally get a victory.
Verdict: 2-0


Carling Cup Final

Aston Villa v Man Utd (1500 GMT)

Sir Alex Ferguson likes to pick three central midfield players for big matches, usually selecting Michael Carrick, Paul Scholes and Darren Fletcher. This makes United very difficult to play against. I feel they will dominate that area of the pitch and so create the greater number of chances.
Villa's four across midfield is usually made up of Stewart Downing, Stiliyan Petrov, James Milner and Ashley Young who are all very good on the ball. But they are not so good at getting it back and that means they could struggle to compete.
Verdict: 1-2



Full details of all Mark Lawrenson's Premier League predictions for 2009-10, together with how the table would look like if he were correct, available here:


My Football Stats & Facts | Premier League | Mark Lawrenson's Predictions

[SirBillyNick]

I predict Lawro is wrong

[HeroesComesandGoes]

Stoke -v- Arsenal - Arsenal to win?

Delap's throw-in will cause them problems...I reckon Stoke may win

[THFC6061]

Stoke -v- Arsenal - Arsenal to win?

Delap's throw-in will cause them problems...I reckon Stoke may win

It would be very nice to see Stoke take something off the Squatters.

I think Lawro is seriously under-estimating them.

[Roscono3]

I been watching lawros results all year and i must say his bloody good at it!!!

I just hope his right about 2 results.... chelski beat shitty and we beat Everton!!

[THFC6061]

So how did Mark Lawrenson do in Saturday's Premier League matches?

Birmingham 2-1 Wigan 1-0 Correct Result
Bolton 2-0 Wolverhampton 1-0 Correct Result
Burnley 1-1 Portsmouth 1-2 Wrong
Chelsea 2-0 Man City 2-4 Wrong
Stoke 0-2 Arsenal 1-3 Correct Result


0 Correct Scores
3 Correct Results
2 Wrong

[P UNIT 1980]

6061 great work by the way I thought about doing something like this involving Lawro's predictions as they are on the whole TOTAL BULLSH!T.

He bottles every big games between the top 4 or derbies and predicts a draw. He never opts for a big 4 loss against any of the sides out of the upper echelon.

I think he is such a pony commentator and value his opinion lower that the second one I got from Harold fookin Shipmen!!!

Great work though.

[HeroesComesandGoes]

But no correct scores...so far...fingers crossed for tomorrow. Hope the Carling Cup Final doesn't overshadow our game

[berby999]

I think Lawro is a **** of the highest order and feel cursed to think he has predicted us a win.

[Nidzumi]

Lawro does get things wrong most of the time but he did back us and was on the button with the score. I think he got everything else wrong though.

[HeroesComesandGoes]

He got the Spurs game and Man Utd results right and the score too.