Premier League predictions: Lawro vs badminton star Gail Emms
- Published
BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.
His opponent for the next round of Premier League fixtures is former badminton world champion Gail Emms.
Emms teamed up with Nathan Robertson to win silver in the mixed doubles at the 2004 Olympics
Emms, who won a silver medal in the mixed doubles with Nathan Robertson at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and followed that with a world title in 2006, retired from the sport after the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
However, the 36-year-old mum of two is making a comeback at the English National Championships in Milton Keynes in February.
She also has football in her blood - her mum Jan played for England, and featured in the 1971 Women's World Cup in Mexico, while Emms grew up a fanatical Tottenham supporter.
Predictions | Score | Lawro | Gail |
|---|---|---|---|
TUESDAY | |||
Man Utd v Cardiff | 2-0 | 2-0 | 3-1 |
Norwich v Newcastle | 0-0 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Southampton v Arsenal | 2-2 | 1-1 | 1-2 |
Swansea v Fulham | 2-0 | 2-0 | 4-1 |
Crystal Palace v Hull | 1-0 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
Liverpool v Everton | 4-0 | 2-1 | 2-2 |
WEDNESDAY | |||
Aston Villa v West Brom | 4-3 | 2-0 | 1-1 |
Chelsea v West Ham | 0-0 | 2-0 | 5-0 |
Sunderland v Stoke | 1-0 | 1-1 | 1-1 |
Tottenham v Man City | 1-5 | 0-2 | 2-2 |
A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.
On FA Cup fourth-round weekend, Lawro got nine results right from the 16 ties, with two perfect scores. His score of 13 saw him well beaten by England women's captain Casey Stoney, who got 12 correct results, with four exact scores, giving her a total of 20.
These FA Cup scores will not count towards the league averages or totals for Lawro or his guests.
We're keeping a record of the total scores for Lawro and his guests (below), and showing a table of how the Premier League would look if all of Lawro's predictions were correct (also at the bottom of the page).
Total scores after Week 22 | |
|---|---|
Lawro | 179 |
Guests | 119 |
LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS
All kick-offs 19:45 GMT unless otherwise stated.
TUESDAY
Man Utd 2-0 Cardiff
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Gail's prediction: There is still a problem with United's defence and the return of their old super-sub Solskjaer will make it an interesting evening.
However there will be a spring in United's step after the signing of Mata so we should see some goals. 3-1
Norwich 0-0 Newcastle
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Gail's prediction: My dad is a huge Norwich fan so I will annoy him with a prediction of anything but a home win.
I'll have to avoid him for a few weeks because Alan Pardew is having a brilliant season at Newcastle after being one of the favourites for the sack at the start of the season. 1-2
Southampton 2-2 Arsenal
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Gail's prediction: This should be a great lesson in passing football from both teams. Arsenal have uncharacteristic grit this season and I think they will churn out another win away from home. 1-2
Swansea 2-0 Fulham
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Gail's prediction: Wilfried Bony has hit form recently and Fulham have leaked goals all season. Swansea have been playing well without picking up too many results. They need to start winning and Fulham are the perfect club to play to start a good run going. 4-1
Crystal Palace 1-0 Hull
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Gail's prediction: Hull have defied everyone's expectations of them this season thanks to the signing of two ex-Tottenham players, Tom Huddlestone especially.
Palace, meanwhile, look a team transformed under Tony Pulis. A battling draw. 1-1
Liverpool 4-0 Everton
Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Gail's prediction: These two teams battled out a hard-fought draw earlier in the season. I can't see anything but a high-tempo passionate affair again. 2-2
WEDNESDAY
Aston Villa 4-3 West Brom
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Gail's prediction: Neither of these teams have really kick-started their seasons and I am unsure about new Baggies boss Pepe Mel as a Premier League manager too. Both teams need a win, but I don't think either will get one. 1-1
Chelsea 0-0 West Ham
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Gail's prediction: This could be a riot. Oscar and Eden Hazard have been unbelievable for Chelsea this season. Even without a decent striker they should put West Ham to the sword. 5-0
Sunderland 1-0 Stoke
Lawro's prediction: 1-1
Gail's prediction: I am not sure it will be a great game, especially if it is wet and windy in the North East. Sunderland will be up after their win at Old Trafford, and Stoke will be happy with an away point. 1-1
Tottenham 1-5 Man City
Lawro's prediction: 0-2
Gail's prediction: When you're averaging about four goals per game like City are, only a fool or a die-hard Spurs fan would bet against an away win. I am a die-hard Spurs fan and I am backing us to battle out a draw.
My three-year old-son, Harry, doesn't stop talking about Christian Eriksen. I think he will score one and set up Emmanuel Adebayor for the second. 2-2
Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
Lawro v Guests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P22 | W13 | D2 | L7 |
SCORE | GUEST LEADERBOARD |
|---|---|
12 | Nicky Wire |
11 | Susanna Reid |
10 | Usain Bolt |
9 | Charlotte Green, Camp Bastion troops |
8.1 | Lawro (average after 22 weeks) |
7 | Danny John-Jules, Steve Wilson |
6 | John Bishop, Kevin Clifton, Gaz Coombes, Alistair McGowan, Joe Montana, Greg James |
5 | Sam Tomkins, The National |
4 | David Cameron, Guy Mowbray, Jason Sudeikis |
3 | Robert de Niro, Sylvester Stallone |
2 | Cal Crutchlow, Jim Kerr, David Schneider |
1 | Michael Palin, Vic Reeves |
Lawro's best score: 16 points (week 21 v Robert De Niro and Sylvester Stallone)
Lawro's worst score: 4 points (week two v Sam Tomkins)
ARROWS DENOTE DIFFERENCE TO REAL TABLE | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | PTS | DIFF | +/- |
1. | Man City | 22 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 60 | +1 | |
2. | Chelsea | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 51 | +1 | |
3. | Man Utd | 22 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 51 | +4 | |
4. | Arsenal | 22 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 49 | -3 | |
5. | Liverpool | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 43 | -1 | |
6. | Tottenham | 22 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 40 | -1 | |
7. | Everton | 22 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 34 | -1 | |
8. | Southampton | 22 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 32 | +1 | |
9. | Fulham | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 29 | +8 | |
10. | Norwich | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 28 | +2 | |
11. | West Brom | 22 | 7 | 6 | 9 | 27 | +2 | |
12. | Stoke | 22 | 7 | 4 | 11 | 25 | +2 | |
13. | Newcastle | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 23 | -5 | |
14. | West Ham | 22 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 23 | +4 | |
15. | Swansea | 22 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 22 | 0 | |
16. | Aston Villa | 22 | 3 | 9 | 10 | 18 | -6 | |
17. | Crystal Palace | 22 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 16 | -1 | |
18. | Hull City | 22 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 13 | -7 | |
19. | Sunderland | 22 | 2 | 7 | 13 | 13 | 0 | |
20. | Cardiff | 22 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 0 | |
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