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Lawro's predictions

Mark Lawrenson
By Mark Lawrenson
BBC Sport football expert

THIS WEEK'S PREDICTIONS

(All kick-offs are 1500 BST unless specified)

SATURDAY

Arsenal 1-0 West Brom

Arsenal v West Brom

Verdict: 2-0


Bolton 3-1 Stoke

Bolton v Stoke

Verdict: 1-1


Everton 2-3 Blackburn

Everton v Blackburn

Verdict: 2-0


Hull 2-1 Fulham

Hull City v Fulham

Verdict: 1-0


Middlesbrough 2-1 Tottenham

Middlesbrough v Tottenham

Verdict: 1-0


West Ham 2-1 Wigan

West Ham v Wigan

Verdict: 2-0


Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool

Sunderland v Liverpool

Verdict: 1-1


SUNDAY

Chelsea v Portsmouth
(Kick-off 1330 BST)

Chelsea v Portsmouth

I like Scolari's signings and I really think Chelsea will be the team to beat this season. Scolari will encourage Chelsea's full-backs to push on more and I expect really big things from them.

Harry Redknapp, as ever, has bought well and I think they will have a good season - but they will start with a defeat.

Verdict: 2-0


Aston Villa v Man City

Aston Villa v Man City

You can see what Martin O'Neill is doing at Villa. He is putting together a strong English dressing room and spiced things up with some foreign signings.

They will be ultra-competitive and I think they will have a good season.

City are trying to bring in Blackburn's Roque Santa Cruz because they have no strikers, and although the rest of the team is good, my money is on Villa.

Verdict: 2-0


Manchester United v Newcastle
(Kick-off 1600 BST)

Man Utd v Newcastle

I feel very sorry for Kevin Keegan at Newcastle. I'd like to know who is bringing the players in and what is going on behind the scenes.

They are short of strikers, and the place you do not want to be going without firepower is Manchester United.

I will be watching Cristiano Ronaldo closely this season. If his mind is just 10% at Real Madrid, then he won't be the same player as he was last season.

He is not involved on Sunday, but I do not expect that to stop United winning.

Verdict: 2-0

Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Phil McNulty




News image
Barclays Premier League Table
01 February 2010 22:00
  PGDPTS
1Chelsea233854
2Man Utd243653
3Arsenal243249
4Tottenham242042

5Liverpool241641

6Man City221441
7Aston Villa231340
8Birmingham23-134
9Everton23-132
10Blackburn24-1528
11Fulham23-227
12Stoke22-726
13Sunderland23-1024
14Wigan22-2322
15West Ham23-921
16Bolton22-1521
17Wolverhampton23-2121

18Burnley23-2320
19Hull23-2620
20Portsmouth22-1615
News image

see also
Premier League newcomers
13 Aug 08 |  Premier League
Lawro's Premier League guide
12 Aug 08 |  Premier League
Premier League ins and outs
12 Aug 08 |  Premier League


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