Mark Lawrenson's Predictions - Matchday 38

[THFC6061]

All games take place on Sunday, kicking off at 1600 BST.

Arsenal v Fulham

Fulham fielded quite a strong team for Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Stoke, which suggests to me that boss Roy Hodgson will give most of his players a rest ahead of next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.
The Premier League might disagree but I think Hodgson is perfectly entitled to rotate his squad for the game at the Emirates. I expect Arsenal to end their season on a high note by winning and clinching third spot.
Prediction: 2-0


Aston Villa v Blackburn

I expect Villa to end their campaign with a win. They have finished the season well and were in the running for fourth until the defeat at Eastlands last week.
As for Blackburn, three months ago people were suggesting that manager Sam Allardyce only had one game left in charge. We come out with some rubbish sometimes, don't we?
Prediction: 2-0


Bolton v Birmingham

It should be a decent game at the Reebok because both teams can just go for it. Birmingham have had a super, super season and look like finishing in the top 10 but I'm going for a home win.
Owen Coyle is slowly but surely changing the way Bolton play - and we will see more of that at next season now that he has kept them up - but he will feel vindicated at making the move from Burnley, who have been relegated.
Prediction: 2-1


Burnley v Tottenham

Well done to Tottenham for bagging fourth. They fully deserve it. They may even get third, although I do not see them finishing above Arsenal.
Whatever happens, they will go to Turf Moor on a high and I expect them to win. With such a strong squad now, Harry Redknapp can change his team around and still put out a decent side.
Prediction: 1-2


Chelsea v Wigan

Everyone knows just what is at stake for Chelsea and I just don't see there being even a remote chance they will slip up and blow the title.
Wigan will offer resistance but they are a strange team. One day they are very, very good and the next day they are average. They may have beaten Chelsea earlier in the season but I think this game might be over at half-time.
Prediction: 4-0


Everton v Portsmouth

Once Everton got the majority of their players fit, they really kicked on and enjoyed a good second half of the season. They are a good footballing side, have got some very good players and boast a wonderful manager in David Moyes.
I cannot see Portsmouth, who are now £135m in debt, winning at Goodison Park. They will have one eye on the FA Cup final, too.
Prediction: 2-0


Hull v Liverpool

It could be Rafael Benitez's last game in charge of Liverpool. I certainly feel the time is right for a change. He has been there six years, but the team is no better, if not worse, than the team he inherited from Gerard Houllier.
Hull, meanwhile, are preparing for massive cuts as they head into the Championship and I think they will depart the top flight with a defeat.
Prediction: 1-2


Manchester United v Stoke

United will win but the title will elude them. They have had a good season but have not coped that well without Cristiano Ronaldo and Carlos Tevez.
Stoke had a good win on Wednesday but the fact they played in midweek will work in United's favour. That said, they did extremely well and will be strong again next year.
Prediction: 2-0


West Ham v Man City

Man City will be feeling flat after losing to Spurs in midweek and failing to qualify for the Champions League, so I think this one will be a draw.
City have said Roberto Mancini will definitely be staying on as manager next season, but the future is not so clear for Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola. It is one of the worst-kept secrets that the owners want somebody else to take over.
Prediction: 1-1


Wolves v Sunderland

Wolves will be delighted to be staying up. I know the owner, Steve Morgan, quite well and he is very, very pleased with what they have achieved.
Sunderland have had a funny season. They had a good start but were abysmal for a third of the campaign before coming good at the finish.
Like Wolves, they will be looking to improve next season and start focusing on the top half of the table rather than the bottom.
Prediction: 1-1



Lawrenson has got Spurs down to finish in 7th place on 66 points for the season.
My Football Stats & Facts | Premier League | Mark Lawrenson's Predictions

[weirddave]

He wouldn't be able to bare Spurs finishing above Arsenal if things swung in our favour on Sunday lol.

[THFC6061]

As much as I would love us to finish above the Squatters, I think Fulham have other more pressing matters on their mind than doing us a favour on Sunday.

A full-strength Fulham might have given the Scum a run for their money though.

[EssexYiddo]

Chelsea v Wigan

Everyone knows just what is at stake for Chelsea and I just don't see there being even a remote chance they will slip up and blow the title.
Wigan will offer resistance but they are a strange team. One day they are very, very good and the next day they are average. They may have beaten Chelsea earlier in the season but I think this game might be over at half-time.
Prediction: 4-0

Holy shit, he predicted a more than 2 goal scoreline for once!

2-1 against Burnley? HAVE A LAUGH!

[CmonyouSpurs]

All games take place on Sunday, kicking off at 1600 BST.

Arsenal v Fulham

Fulham fielded quite a strong team for Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Stoke, which suggests to me that boss Roy Hodgson will give most of his players a rest ahead of next week's Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.
The Premier League might disagree but I think Hodgson is perfectly entitled to rotate his squad for the game at the Emirates. I expect Arsenal to end their season on a high note by winning and clinching third spot.
Prediction: 2-0

Burnley v Tottenham

Well done to Tottenham for bagging fourth. They fully deserve it. They may even get third, although I do not see them finishing above Arsenal.
Whatever happens, they will go to Turf Moor on a high and I expect them to win. With such a strong squad now, Harry Redknapp can change his team around and still put out a decent side.
Prediction: 1-2

YESSS!!!!!

WE ARE FINISHING 3RD EVERYONE!!!!

[DanSpurs80]

The dreaded commentators curse.......Well done Lawro!

[SAspursfan]

4th, will do me fine! In fact it's brilliant.

[HeroesComesandGoes]

The dreaded commentators curse.......Well done Lawro!

Dan - you can do a better job...pop your CV in and add me as a referee (make sure you add playing for a Premiership team for 15 years there too)

[P UNIT 1980]

I think my opinion of this man is well documented.

W*NKER!!! HAIRY LIPPED W*NKER!!!