1. Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!

Lawro Predicts

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by Steven Royston O'Neill, Nov 17, 2011.

  1. Steven Royston O'Neill

    Steven Royston O'Neill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    19,511
    Likes Received:
    81
    SATURDAY

    All kick-offs 1500 GMT unless stated

    Norwich v Arsenal (1245 GMT)

    Norwich have been excellent at home all season but this is their first real test against an Arsenal team suddenly playing with real confidence.

    The Canaries only know one way to play, they come forward but if you do that against the top teams they will just pick you off on the break with real quality.

    Everybody knows about Robin van Persie and his goalscoring form but the key for Norwich will be trying to stop Arsenal in the middle of the park as that is where they will control the game.

    Van Persie is virtually scoring a goal a game at the moment but if Norwich try to stop him from playing then Theo Walcott, Gervinho, Mikel Arteta and Aaron Ramsey can all hurt you so it is going to be very tough.

    I expect a strong showing from Norwich but Arsenal will be too good.

    Prediction: 1-2


    Everton v Wolves

    A game that both sides need to win.

    Everton have played better than their points total suggests and in Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka they have three England internationals who all did their cause no harm at all in the wins over Spain and Sweden.

    Marouane Fellaini has signed a new contract and that is all Everton can do. They can't afford to go out and buy anyone so they have to offer their best players good contracts and tie them up, or at least put in place a strong bargaining tool should anyone want to come in and buy them.

    Some fans are planning a protest but it is ridiculous, I don't know what the fans expect. Nobody is interested in buying Everton, they don't make any money on matchday and it would cost far too much to move to a new stadium. So the supporters have to get real.

    They consistently bat above their average thanks to the manager David Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright, who consistently has to put fires out.

    Wolves came up with the win over Wigan last time out but it is a tough ask to go to Goodison Park and win.

    Prediction: 2-0


    Manchester City v Newcastle

    Some of us are pleasantly surprised that Newcastle remain unbeaten but this is where the run comes to an end.

    Their form is testimony to manager Alan Pardew and his backroom staff and the way they have gone about this season, it has been built on an excellent young goalkeeper in Tim Krul and a steady back four, but Manchester City are just in a different league.

    City have had half their squad all over the world playing football this week which may have an impact on them but this is a team now which has gelled under Roberto Mancini; they don't go overboard when they win 6-1 at Manchester United and don't panic when they do slip up.

    The Carlos Tevez affair rumbles on but the best thing for City is that he's not even been in the country. It's bordering on the pathetic now from Tevez, I don't know who is advising him but even the players who get on with Tevez will be asking what on earth is going on.

    The club have a financial investment in Tevez and will want to get as much money for him as they can in January but it hasn't threatened their form at all which is a remarkable effort all round.

    Prediction: 2-0


    Stoke v QPR

    Who would have thought five years ago that this would be a Premier League game?

    Stoke are struggling a bit to marry up playing in the Europa League for the first time with their league form and they had a shocker last time out by getting beat 5-0 at Bolton.

    But overall they get stronger every season and win the majority of their games at home.

    QPR have started the season well but they make a lot of mistakes defensively so I have to go with Stoke.

    Prediction: 2-0


    Sunderland v Fulham

    I thought Fulham would be better under Martin Jol but with the firepower they have at their disposal you expect them to be OK. Away from home though they have been poor.

    Sunderland simply have not replaced Darren Bent and Asamoah Gyan and I think they will be dicing with relegation as I just don't know where their goals will come from.

    Some of the fans have decided they want Steve Bruce out and Fulham at home is a game that supporters will expect to pick up three points. Bruce has to win and I think Fulham's away form is so bad that they will.

    Prediction: 2-1


    West Brom v Bolton

    West Brom tend to plan very well for games and can adapt to whoever they play.

    They have been consistently inconsistent and struggle to score goals at times but overall they look a decent side under Roy Hodgson.

    Bolton had a really poor start to the season but then went and thrashed Stoke before the international break so they will come into this game full of confidence.

    The Reebok Stadium will have been a happy place to be for the last fortnight and I can't separate these two.

    Prediction: 1-1


    Wigan v Blackburn

    A massive game, but a fact that will not be reflected in the size of the crowd on display.

    In the north west we call this a 'towsy' game. It will be a dog eat dog affair, it won't be great football and there will be lots of tackles flying in with both sides really struggling to stay up this season.

    Wigan have been on a horrid run but could have got a point at Wolves last time out and the fact that they do have to win may be the incentive they need to defend better.

    Roberto Martinez could have jumped ship in the summer but didn't and his situation looks relatively calm when compared to Steve Kean at Blackburn.

    Blackburn have been under less pressure away from home and have played better away from their home fans but I back Wigan to come out on top.

    Prediction: 2-1


    Swansea v Man Utd (1730 GMT)

    This is a great game for Swansea as they are under no pressure at all.

    Their home form has been excellent and they will go out and keep the ball - even against Manchester United.

    But United will have players back from injury, Wayne Rooney will be fresh after not playing for England, and they will want to just get three points on the board.

    This is the sort of game that United traditionally win and even if they are not at their best they find a way to get the points.

    Prediction: 0-2



    SUNDAY

    Chelsea v Liverpool (1600 GMT)

    Chelsea are trying to play a new way by holding a very high line so I would think Kenny Dalglish will find a place for Craig Bellamy in his side as his pace can really cause problems.

    Chelsea have had a wobble but they do know how to win at home, they can deal with having players away on international duty and they have looked more of a top four side than Liverpool so far this season.

    It will be a big match for Fernando Torres against his old club and you would have to give him five out of 10 for his Chelsea career so far. He's not getting in the Spain team any more and it is the first time in his career where he is questioning himself and asking if he is the same player he was 18 months ago.

    You would have to say that he isn't at the moment. We wait to see if he ever gets back to that level.

    Luis Suarez has been charged by the Football Association now and if he gets banned for five or six games that will be a massive blow for Liverpool. He is starting to show that he is a world-class talent.

    Prediction: 2-1



    MONDAY

    Tottenham v Aston Villa (2000 GMT)

    Harry Redknapp will probably be back in the dugout for Spurs, subject to doctors approval, and Spurs will want a home win to keep the pressure on the rest of the top sides.

    Ledley King will have had a nice two-week break and he has shown again this season just what a top player he is.

    Tottenham are looking a top-four team at the moment but it is going to be tougher than ever to get into the Champions League this season and it will go to the wire.

    Villa have made a bit of a cautious start but in Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent they have good attacking options and they will be fine. Their fans will have to accept that they are looking at a good run in the cups and a top seven or eight finish because it's just not possible to finish any higher at the moment.

    Prediction: 2-0
     
    #1
  2. NEMO

    NEMO Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2011
    Messages:
    403
    Likes Received:
    18
    Geez! 2-1 home win,what ever next<whistle>
     
    #2
  3. BDU 76

    BDU 76 New Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2011
    Messages:
    88
    Likes Received:
    0
    Glad you got Lawro's vote <ok>
     
    #3
  4. LFT

    LFT Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    1,418
    Likes Received:
    292
    I like how he says the only reason we will win is because Fulham are so bad away from home the daft plank.








    He's probably right though.
     
    #4
  5. master-simpson

    master-simpson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Messages:
    4,266
    Likes Received:
    4,281
    We have not beaten Fulham since Bruce came - I fear that run will continue with another nail in SBs coffin.

    0-0 for me - a dire game in front of less than 35000

    Sorry

    Bart
     
    #5
  6. Steven Royston O'Neill

    Steven Royston O'Neill Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    19,511
    Likes Received:
    81
    not the most positive of votes
     
    #6
  7. calmcumbrian

    calmcumbrian Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2011
    Messages:
    1,656
    Likes Received:
    144
    What does Lawro mean....some of the fans want Bruce out???He should say most of the fans want Bruce out!!
     
    #7
  8. Shameless

    Shameless Well hung member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2011
    Messages:
    9,100
    Likes Received:
    341
    I prefer it when he doesn't predict we'll win - Lawro is a hex.
     
    #8
  9. HorsleyHillCat

    HorsleyHillCat Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2011
    Messages:
    1,431
    Likes Received:
    37
    Don't get your hopes up, not another win till Christmas at the least
     
    #9
  10. Tel (they/them)

    Tel (they/them) Sucky’s Bailiff

    Joined:
    May 11, 2011
    Messages:
    61,295
    Likes Received:
    55,496
    Lawro doesn't pay attention to anyone bar Liverpool. To get his predictions he takes a 5 minute look at the table and previous fixtures and lumps for the bookies' favourite.

    He proves he knows nothing by saying Fernando Torres doesn't get in the Spain team any more when we all know he played against England last week.

    I find it sad that the BBC have an abundance of retired footballers to choose from when selecting their pundits and they choose this guy, he's pathetic.
     
    #10

  11. master-simpson

    master-simpson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2011
    Messages:
    4,266
    Likes Received:
    4,281
    THIS

    Bart
     
    #11

Share This Page