Premier League predictions: Lawro v Fatman Scoop & Nick Bright – BBC Sport

BBC Sport’s football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

Lawro’s opponent for this weekend’s Premier League fixtures is American hip hop artist Fatman Scoop, who has been taking part in Sport Relief’s Battle of the Five-A-Sides.

During the match, Fatman Scoop had a few words to say about one game in particular this weekend. He told BBC Sport: “Arsenal are going to get beaten so bad, it’s going to be disgusting.”

Robbie Savage and Alan Shearer have kicked-off a 57-hour five-a-side game for Sport Relief.

The match, between BBC Radio 5 live and Match of the Day, is being played outside BBC MediaCityUK in Salford and started at 09:15 GMT on Thursday and ends on Saturday at 18:15 GMT.

Also up against Lawro this week is 1Xtra DJ Nick Bright.

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A – away win

Our scoring system has changed this season and a correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is now worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

From the midweek Premier League games, Lawro got five correct results from 10 games, with no perfect scores.

His score of 50 points saw him beat The Coral frontman James Skelly, who picked four correct results but no perfect scores for a total of 40.

Make your own predictions now, compare them to Lawro and other fans and try to take your team to the top of the leaderboard by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game.

LAWRO’S PREDICTIONS

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated

SATURDAY

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Tottenham v Arsenal (12:45 GMT)

It’s the same old story for Arsenal – they are just not good enough defensively to keep out the opposition when things are not happening for them up front.

But Tottenham’s performance when they lost to West Ham on Wednesday was also worrying.

The result itself was not that surprising, because I did not expect them to win at Upton Park, but the biggest problem was that they are going for the title and they basically did not turn up.

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After Arsenal went 1-0 up against Swansea, they should have gone on to win by three or four, but maybe I should not be too shocked that they didn’t – because they always let you down.

Both teams have got some excellent players and, if they play as well as we know they can, they are both capable of winning.

But I am going to go for a draw – the result that would suit leaders Leicester down to the ground.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

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Chelsea v Stoke

Chelsea are making a late run – the way the Premier League is going, they are probably not out of the title race.

Seriously, though, we should not be surprised by their good form. We know they have some great players because they won the title last season and interim manager Guus Hiddink has got them all playing well.

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Stoke are up to seventh place after winning three games in a row, but I see that run ending on Saturday.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

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Everton v West Ham

West Ham’s season keeps getting better and better and I think they are as fit, strong and athletic as any team in the league.

We know that because they keep coming back in away games when they have been under the cosh, and they have got some unsung players in their squad – Mark Noble never gets the credit he deserves.

It is a boost for the Hammers that Diafra Sakho is on his way back to full fitness but they are short of available centre-halves, so losing James Collins to a hamstring injury is a big blow.

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Despite beating Tottenham on Wednesday, West Ham are not getting any mentions when it comes to the title race. I don’t think they are going to win it but they have put themselves in the frame for the top four.

Everton, in contrast, are stuck in mid-table at the moment but they can still climb the table too, and that would certainly help attract players if they look to spend big in the summer.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

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Man City v Aston Villa

I feel sorry for Aston Villa manager Remi Garde because it is not his fault they are where they are in the table – he did not buy a single player in January.

Manchester City are very inconsistent at the moment but it would take an exceptionally bad performance from them to drop any more points on Saturday.

Lawro’s prediction: 3-0

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Newcastle v Bournemouth

This has turned into a massive game for Newcastle, who desperately need a win.

The Magpies are second bottom, eight points behind Bournemouth, and it is already looking like three of the current bottom four will be the teams going down.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-1

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Southampton v Sunderland

Sunderland will be buoyed by rescuing a point late on against Crystal Palace at the Stadium of Light on Tuesday but they are not the same force away from home.

It would take a very average Southampton performance for that happen and I don’t see Saints boss Ronald Koeman allowing that to happen after losing his last two games.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-0

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Swansea v Norwich

What a great win for Swansea over Arsenal on Wednesday , especially with their manager Francesco Guidolin in hospital with a chest infection.

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Another Swans win would edge them even closer to safety and I think they will get it against a Norwich team that, along with Sunderland, have got the worst defensive record in the league.

The Canaries have conceded 53 goals in 28 games, not far off two a game, which means to win a game, they have to score three.

Lawro’s prediction: 2-1

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Watford v Leicester (17:30 GMT)

Watford were really unlucky to lose against Manchester United on Wednesday, because they had plenty of chances.

This will be very interesting to watch because, like Leicester, the Hornets are a counter-attacking team and they are not going to change the way they play just because they are up against the leaders.

After dropping points against West Brom on Tuesday, Leicester’s players saw the three teams immediately below them lose on Wednesday and were probably thinking the title is meant to be.

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Sometimes it is other team’s poor performances and results that persuade you that you can win the title, rather than anything you do yourself, and that will certainly have helped the Foxes.

By the time they kick off at Vicarage Road, they will have seen how Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City have done, which could be a massive incentive to win and extend their lead.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-2

SUNDAY

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Crystal Palace v Liverpool (13:30 GMT)

Liverpool got turned over by Crystal Palace at Anfield in November and the Eagles know they are stronger than them, even if they are not a better team than the Reds.

Liverpool played extremely well in their win over Manchester City on Wednesday but it is asking a lot for them to harass and hurry Palace in the same way at Selhurst Park, so I am going for a draw.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

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West Brom v Man Utd (13:30 GMT)

Manchester United’s good run continued with their win over Watford and they are now level on points with fourth-placed Manchester City, although they have played a game more.

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United boss Louis van Gaal is overcoming every hurdle placed in front of him at the moment but in the long term I don’t think it will change people’s opinion on him or whether he stays in his position.

West Brom have had a good few days, taking four points from Crystal Palace and Leicester, and that has ended any lingering doubts that they might get dragged into the relegation scrap.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis will make plans to stop United, and I think they will work.

Lawro’s prediction: 1-1

Lawro was speaking to BBC Sport’s Chris Bevan.