Lawro's Premier League predictions v Feeder bassist Taka
- Published
Tottenham end their long wait to move into their new stadium when they host Crystal Palace on Wednesday, but will they begin their new era with a win?
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson said: "It will take them a little bit of time to get used to it, but it looks fabulous - and it is their home.
"I do think this game is more difficult for Spurs than it might have been, because of the occasion. Palace are certainly capable of upsetting the applecart a little bit, but I still think Tottenham will win."
Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.
This week he is up against Feeder bassist and Chelsea fan Taka.
Feeder's new album 'Tallulah' is out in August
It has been a frustrating season for Blues fans and Taka told BBC Sport: "I really don't know what to say about Chelsea at the moment. Sometimes we play great, other times I just think 'what is going on?'."
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri's tactics have been criticised by some supporters, but Taka feels the bad atmosphere is affecting results and performance as the team chases a top-four finish.
"At the moment everyone should be behind the team and the manager," he added. "But nobody really knows what will happen next and there is always some drama going on. It is never dull.
"Sarri might not stay and Eden Hazard could go to Real Madrid. If Hazard does leave, then we should use that money wisely to strengthen the squad, but we will not be able to do that if there is a transfer embargo in the summer - that would be a disaster.
"Hopefully we will keep hold of our good youngsters like Callum Hudson-Odoi, but it is hard for young players to get a chance in the Premier League, at any club.
"Will we make the top four? I doubt it, to be honest with you. As much as I want them to do well, the other teams are looking strong and it is going to be very tough.
"Tottenham have had some bad results but Manchester United are suddenly looking ok, and Arsenal are a lot like Chelsea. They can play amazingly one day, then be awful the next. Somehow they are still up there."
Premier League predictions - midweek games | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Result | Lawro | Taka | |
TUESDAY | |||
Watford v Fulham | 4-1 | 2-0 | 2-0 |
Wolves v Man Utd | 2-1 | 0-2 | 1-1 |
WEDNESDAY | |||
Chelsea v Brighton | x-x | 2-0 | 2-1 |
Man City v Cardiff | x-x | 4-0 | 4-0 |
Tottenham v Crystal Palace | x-x | 2-1 | 3-1 |
A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.
LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS
All kick-offs 19:45 GMT unless stated.
TUESDAY
Watford v Fulham
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Taka's prediction: Watford are doing really well, Fulham aren't. I am a bit shocked by how bad they have been, and it is quite sad to see. 2-0
Wolves 2-1 Man Utd
Lawro's prediction: 0-2
Taka's prediction: Wolves have been the surprise team of the season and I put a lot of that down to their defence. They are so solid and I think they will do well against United again. 1-1
WEDNESDAY
Chelsea 3-0 Brighton
Lawro's prediction: 2-0
Taka's prediction: I would love to say Chelsea will win 4-0 but it is going to be a tighter and scrappier game than that. 2-1
Man City 2-0 Cardiff
Lawro's prediction: 4-0
Taka's prediction: Manchester City should win this game very comfortably, and I think there will be a few goals. 4-0
Tottenham 2-0 Crystal Palace
Lawro's prediction: 2-1
Taka's prediction: Spurs have not been playing that well recently, but they will win this one. Sometimes Palace play very well against the top teams but I can only see Spurs winning this. 3-1
Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport's Chris Bevan.
How did Lawro do last time?
From the last round of Premier League games, Lawro has so far got seven correct results and two exact scores from nine matches, for a total of 130 points.
He has beaten legendry guitarist Johnny Marr, who has managed five correct results and one exact score, for a total of 80 points.
Another 40 points are up for grabs in Monday's game between Arsenal and Newcastle. Both Lawro and Marr have gone for a 2-0 win for the Gunners, and any extra points they gain will be added to their tallies.
Total scores after week 32 | |
|---|---|
Lawro | 2,660 |
Guests | 2,330 |
Lawro v Guests | |||
|---|---|---|---|
P32 | W15 | D4 | L13 |
+/- DENOTE POSITION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAWRO'S TABLE AND ACTUAL POSITION | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TEAM | P | W | D | L | PTS | +/- | |
1 | Man City | 31 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 87 | +1 |
=2 | Liverpool | 32 | 21 | 11 | 0 | 74 | -1 |
=2 | Man Utd | 31 | 23 | 5 | 3 | 74 | +2 |
4 | Chelsea | 31 | 19 | 6 | 6 | 63 | +2 |
5 | Tottenham | 31 | 17 | 11 | 3 | 62 | -2 |
6 | Leicester | 32 | 17 | 5 | 10 | 56 | +2 |
7 | Arsenal | 31 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 53 | -2 |
8 | Everton | 32 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 50 | +1 |
9 | Burnley | 32 | 12 | 9 | 11 | 45 | +8 |
10 | Newcastle | 32 | 11 | 7 | 14 | 40 | +4 |
11 | Wolves | 31 | 12 | 3 | 16 | 39 | -4 |
12 | West Ham | 32 | 10 | 5 | 17 | 35 | -1 |
=13 | Watford | 31 | 10 | 3 | 18 | 33 | -3 |
=13 | Bournemouth | 32 | 9 | 6 | 17 | 33 | -1 |
15 | Crystal Palace | 31 | 8 | 8 | 15 | 32 | -2 |
16 | Fulham | 32 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 29 | +3 |
17 | Southampton | 31 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 27 | -1 |
18 | Brighton | 30 | 5 | 8 | 17 | 23 | -3 |
19 | Cardiff | 31 | 3 | 5 | 23 | 14 | -1 |
20 | Huddersfield | 32 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 14 | 20 |
GUEST LEADERBOARD 218-19
SCORE | GUEST LEADERBOARD |
|---|---|
160 | David Ginola |
140 | The 1975's Ross MacDonald |
120 | Joe Thomas |
110 | Tom Kerridge, Yatez |
90 | Jim Glennie, Mario Hezonja, Karl Pilkington, Chris Stark |
83 | Lawro (average after 32 weeks) |
80 | Adebayo Akinfenwa, Richard Ashcroft, Dina Asher-Smith, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg James, Johnny Marr*, Mark Wahlberg |
70 | Yumgen |
60 | Jamie Dornan & Paul Conroy, Idris Elba, Tom McFarland, Dolph Lundgren, Mumford & Sons, Dillian Whyte |
50 | Bring Me The Horizon, Theo Ellis, Drew McIntyre, Mohamed Sanu, Dolph Ziggler |
40 | Tom Grennan, Josh Warrington |
30 | Ryan Fitzpatrick, Danny Howard*, Oti Mabuse |
20 | Yizzy |
*Score will be updated when full programme of games are completed
Lawro's best score: 260 points (week seven v Karl Pilkington)
Lawro's worst score: 20 points (week 24 v Grime star Yizzy, week 25 v Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarter-back Ryan Fitzpatrick and Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, and week 31 against Radio 1 DJ Danny Howard)