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So what happened in the world of football this week? Well, we had European action, and things aren’t seemingly getting better for Manchester United, after they were held to a 1-1 draw in Russia and Chelsea also drew in eastern Europe, 0-0 with Dynamo Kiev.. However, there were huge wins for Arsenal and Manchester City. It’s not often you can say Arsene Wenger got it right in Europe, but beating Bayern Munich 2-0, even though it was at home, is remarkable. Seriously, Wenger got it spot on and full credit to him. I’m sure even Mark Lawrenson can give Wenger credit for that, even though it’s apparent how much he doesn’t rate Arsenal. Lawro will be disappointed with Jurgen Klopp’s start at the helm of his old club Liverpool. A draw with Spurs and then a draw against 10-man Rubin Kazan isn’t exactly a great start, is it? Spurs and Celtic didn’t fare too well in the Europa League, both sides losing.
But all that’s piffle, isn’t it? We want to know how well Mark Lawrenson’s predictions got on last week, don’t we? Well, it wasn’t bad; he got a fair few correct results, although the majority didn’t pay that well, but hey, a win’s a win, isn’t it? Anyway, the problem was that he only got one correct score right, which was Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa. Amazingly, Lawro tipped a 2-0 home win. I know, you’re as shocked as I am. But where did that leave him at the end of the week? Well, it was a slight loss of -0.58 units , leaving Lawro’s season sitting on a profit of +11.2 units. You know, it’s funny, I always get anxious when I see a losing week, then I have to remind myself that it’s not actually my tips that are being judged here. In fact, if anything, it’s better to have losing weeks, because we can see that even living legends like Mark Lawrenson are capable of losing. But, hey, the audit is still in profit, and if you’re not wanting to say for your summer holiday with the Lawro Audit, at least you can get your better half something nice for Christmas. If he can double the current profit in the next few weeks, get her a Michael Kors handbag with the winnings and she’ll love you for at least a month. Or, you know, get down to the pub and have a great night out with your mates.
Now let’s take a look at what Mark Lawrenson is predicting for this week’s Barclays Premier League fixtures.
Aston Villa vs Swansea
Imagine, if you will, two of the worst teams in the league right now facing each other. Well, that’s what we have here. Garry Monk’s Swansea face Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa in what is a must-win for both men. So what has Lawro predicted here? Hands up if you said draw. Yes, Lawro is going for a 1-1 draw. The draw itself is 23/10 and the 1-1 scoreline is favourite in the bookies at 11/2. Honestly, I think you’ll be lucky if you get two goals. Cue a famous 4-3 win. Actually, I like an Aston Villa win here. They have been playing well in patches, which is probably enough to get past a stuttering Swansea side. If Lawro had the balls, I’m sure he would go for a home win, too. 1-0 for Villa IMO.
Leicester vs Crystal Palace
If you read the Lawro Audit every week, you’ll know how much Leicester and Crystal Palace have impressed me this season. I think I’m always going on about how exciting both sides are to watch. So, for me, this should be the match of the day. Lawro? Well, he’s going for a Crystal Palace win. A 2-1 win at that. 23/10 for the away win and 11/1 for the correct score. I think there’s going to be more goals. 3-2 to Leicester for me.
Norwich vs West Brom
You have to feel for Norwich. Any team that gets thumped 6-2 by Newcastle is in a bit of turmoil. Well, Norwich are defensively. Luckily they’re playing West Brom this week, and any side Tony Pullis manages isn’t exactly going to rattle in the goals. Lawro isn’t giving credit to the Norwich attack, though, as he’s going for a 2-0 win for West Brom. A West Brom win will pay 16/5 and the correct score is paying 20/1. For once, I’ll stick on the fence and take a 1-1. I can’t see Norwich not scoring, and I can’t see West Brom not grabbing at least one, before both teams shut up shop, because Norwich have so much to prove after last week, especially at home.
Stoke vs Watford
Can Stoke make it three on the spin? Lawro thinks so, and he thinks it’s going to be a 2-0 win. 11/10 for a Stoke win looks remarkably huge against a side like Watford who aren’t scoring many, and the 9/1 on the correct score looks pretty generous, too. Stoke to win with a clean sheet is definitely the pick here, but just how many can they put past Watford? Two seems right, so, yeah, 2-0 would be my play here, too. Seriously, how much value are Stoke? Get on!
West Ham vs Chelsea
Lawro isn’t looking forward to this one, and reckons it’s going to be “horrible” and “scrappy”. I can’t blame him. How poorly have Chelsea been playing? Yes, it’s cool to be saying Chelsea are in trouble, but the reality is, they’re not playing great football. West Ham haven’t been bad, but Lawro reckons Chelsea will snatch a 1-0 win here. The 19/20 on Chelsea, in that case, could be very, very big come the final whistle. The 17/2 on the correct score is maybe not as generous, though. My head says Chelsea win, my heart says draw. But at the prices, Chelsea are value for me, so why not have them as 2-0 winners, even if they have had a hard trip to Europe midweek?
Arsenal vs Everton
A straightforward Arsenal win here? Of course, and Lawro predicts the scoreline that we all predicted he would go for. Yes, he’s taking Arsenal to win 2-0. Now, Everton were woeful against Manchester United and got smashed around the park. Arsenal will probably inflict more damage than the Reds, but Lawro might be on to something. The Arsenal wins pays a measly 4/9 and the correct score is an even worse 15/2. Live dangerously and take Arsenal to win 3-0, they’re good enough to get that result, especially as they put two past the best team in Europe right now. Hell, go for four if you really want an exciting end to your Saturday!
Sunderland vs Newcastle
Is this the biggest derby of the weekend? Well, if you’re in the North East it is. Forget that Manchester garbage and watch some real football at the Stadium of Light… It’s not going to be pretty, is it? Probably not. Can Newcastle end their shocking run of results in the derby? Lawro is going no, and is predicting a 1-1 draw. The draw pays 12/5 and the correct score is paying 11/2, which is just too skinny. I think Newcastle will win and win well. Sunderland are just so bad right now that there doesn’t seem to be any light at the end of the tunnel for them. Newcastle might have turned a corner with that huge 6-2 win over Norwich and it should give them the confidence that they need to win this. 3-1 to the Magpies for me.
Bournemouth vs Tottenham
Bournemouth were smashed for 5 against Manchester City last week, but luckily they’re facing an out-of-sorts Tottenham. By out-of-sorts, I mean in front of goal. They should have had a fair few against Anderlecht last night, but managed one and lost 2-1. But Lawro is thinking that Bournemouth’s problems are starting, and is going for a 2-0 win for Spurs. A Tottenham win is 5/4 and the correct score pays 10/1. I think we need to start giving Bournemouth some credit, especially at home, so a 1-1 draw for me, because Spurs are not great in front of goal at the moment.
Manchester United vs Manchester City
Another derby today, and a crucial one for Manchester United. A win here will see the Red Devils back in contention for the title, and a defeat might just consign them to runners-up or worse this early on the season. Yes, it’s still early, but they need to be winning games like this to put up a credible title challenge. Unfortunately for them, the predictions god that is Lawro is predicting a 1-1 draw, which might not be enough for the red half of Manchester. The draw pays 5/2 and the correct score of 1-1 is currently favourite at 6/1. With injuries to Silva and Aguero, it’s going to be tough for City, but, really, United are inconsistent and you have to wonder about the confidence levels of the team. A City win for me, right at the death, 2-1.
Our friends at Bet365 have a no-lose in-play bet promotion for this game. So, place a bet on the Manchester United vs Manchester City game before kick-off, wager the same amount in running and if your in-running bet loses, they will refund the losing wager. So why not have a risk free punt on Lawro’s correct score?
Liverpool vs Southampton
The last game of the week and it’s a bit like a derby in that it’s the big boys of Liverpool playing their feeder club of Southampton. Maybe more of a grudge match than a derby. Anyway, no shock from Lawro as he’s tipping Liverpool to win 2-1. The Liverpool win pays 21/20 and the correct score is 17/2. I think Jurgen Klopp will have to wait a bit more for his first win as Liverpool boss, as I can see it finishing 1-1. No real reason why, but Liverpool aren’t banging in goals, Southampton aren’t too bad at the back and are improving steadily, and after a tough European game, Liverpool might just be vulnerable.
So another interesting week of fixtures, with some derbies to get stuck into as well. Lawro mixing his correct score predictions up a bit this week, and taking some outsiders to upset the odds, which is interesting. He still doesn’t think any team will score more than two goals, though. And in case you were interested, every week of the season so far has seen at least one team score three or more goals. In fact, there’s only been one week where only one team has managed 3 goals or more, which was the weekend beginning September 19th, when only Manchester United managed more than two goals in a 3-2 victory over Southampton. So, come on, Lawro, predict some more goals, you boring sod. We’ll see if he does start predicting more goals next week, because, as always, the Lawro Audit continues.
And remember, hit up Bet365 through the link below and place a bet on the game prior to kick-off and Bet365 will give you a no-risk bet to place in-running. So, if you want to back Lawro’s prediction of a 1-1 before kick-off for £50, then back the draw for £50 once the game goes in-play, and either side win, Bet365 will refund the losing in-play bet of £50. No bad, is it? So remember to sign up for that below.
