All kick-offs 1945 GMT unless stated TUESDAY Swansea v Chelsea It has been so far, so good for Swansea this season, especially at the Liberty Stadium but I think they might be given a real test here. I'm still confident the Swans will be absolutely fine in terms of staying up but they are going to have to work really hard to get anything out of Chelsea, who will be much better defensively than Arsenal, for example, were when they came to Wales. Andre Villas-Boas's side seem to be finding a bit of form, and things also seem to be going their way at the moment - like the decision for their penalty in their win over QPR in the FA Cup at the weekend. Lawro's prediction: 1-2 Tottenham v Wigan Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is still in court but that won't make any difference to Spurs, because again Joe Jordan and Kevin Bond will handle their preparation for this game. Spurs didn't play well in the FA Cup against Watford on Friday but they got the all-important win. I'm not really surprised that Tottenham have not bought anyone yet during this month's transfer window because, generally, all the big teams, unless they are in the middle of a rebuilding programme like Chelsea, are not able to get players of the quality they want. It is teams who are in the middle to bottom of the Premier League table who are more likely to be doing late business, and Wigan are obviously in that category. They have already brought in Jean Beausejour from Birmingham and tried to get Nicky Maynard from Bristol City. If they can get them, then a couple more new faces would definitely help the Latics out. But they have been near the bottom of the table for a long time now and I think the problem they have got is that a lot of players might not fancy a relegation battle. Kurt Angle says: "Ummm, this is a bit taxing. But I'm looking at the league table so it's going to be a win for Spurs." Lawro's prediction: 2-0 Wolves v Liverpool Given Liverpool's current form, Wolves have to look at a draw in this game as a point gained rather than two lost. Being in the relegation zone, Mick McCarthy's men would usually need to try and win all their home games but, against the top teams, getting anything is a good result. This is a tough game for Liverpool now, on the back of two excellent results in the Carling Cup and FA Cup against Manchester City and Manchester United. The Reds' performance against City was outstanding and really raised the bar, while against United I was really impressed by Andy Carroll, especially as he didn't exactly receive great service up front. Liverpool have been mentioned as one of the teams to have asked Manchester City about their out-of-favour striker Carlos Tevez - with Carroll supposedly going the other way in a swap deal - but I bet there have been loads of enquiries about the Argentina striker. I am sure clubs have been ringing up to find out what the score is, and whether they can get him on loan. When you hear that talks have broken down with AC Milan and Paris St Germain, then as a manager you would be daft not to make the call and see if you have got a chance. Kurt Angle says: "When Bully Ray showed the Steven Gerrard top in Manchester the crowd went crazy so I guess he must be a pretty good player. Gerrard will score the winner." Lawro's prediction: 1-1 Everton v Man City (2000 GMT) Everton are close to signing Nikica Jelavic from Rangers, and things have worked out nicely for them with Diniyar Bilyaletdinov moving to Spartak Moscow and freeing up some cash. The Toffees usually make things difficult for Manchester City and I would expect this game to be a bit of a scrap. But I'm still going for City here. Their season boils down to the Premier League title and the Europa League at the moment and they will be clear in their minds what they are going for. City have also been quiet in the transfer market but, again, I am not surprised. They have overpaid before at this time of the year and they are probably thinking that it just isn't worth it unless you are desperate, which City aren't. Kurt Angle says: "We had a great night in Manchester and are back in 2013 so I'm going to have to go for their teams for three-goal victories!" Lawro's prediction: 0-2 Man Utd v Stoke (2000 GMT) Manchester United looked the better team in their FA Cup defeat by Liverpool on Saturday, and they had much the better of possession. But the only thing which rang the alarm bells was that, in the second half, they didn't look like scoring - which was very unlike them. If it ever needed underlining that United miss Wayne Rooney, it was at Anfield. Because you have to think that, with all that possession, Rooney would have seen them create more chances. The good news for United is that they have a few players coming back to fitness at the same time - Tom Cleverley, Ashley Young and Anderson. It will be a bit like the cavalry turning up for them, and I think they need it. I can't see them having too many problems against Stoke on Tuesday and, once they get the first goal, they should end up comfortable winners. Kurt Angle says: "See above!" Lawro's prediction: 3-0 Here are all of Mark Lawrenson's 230 Premier League predictions for the 2011-12 season so far, together with how the League Table would look like based on his forecasts... Lawro's 2011-12 Predictions
WEDNESDAY Aston Villa v QPR Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish picked a strong team in their FA Cup defeat by Arsenal and, although they ended up losing, they went for it, which is a good thing. When you talk about transfers this month and what different teams might need, then you have to recognise that bringing in Robbie Keane on loan from Los Angeles Galaxy for a few weeks has made a real difference to Villa. My sportsman's bet about Thierry Henry not scoring another competitive goal for Arsenal after he got the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup third round is still looking good but, unlike Henry, Villa have brought in a player in Keane who could still play permanently in the Premier League. By picking Keane as well as Darren Bent and Gabriel Agbonlahor, McLeish is sending out a message to his side that they have got a bit more attacking intent and I think Villa are looking much better for it. As yet, QPR haven't done too much to solve their defensive and goalscoring problems although you would have to think that two of Mark Hughes's signings, defenders Nedum Onuoha and Taye Taiwo, will feature in this game. I am still not sure where QPR's goals are going to come from, and I think they will be working like crazy until deadline day, inundating people with phone calls to try to bring someone in to change that. Lawro's prediction: 2-1 Blackburn v Newcastle Blackburn defender Chris Samba doesn't seem to want to play for Rovers again, but they are adamant they won't sell him - it will be interesting to see how that one is resolved, because Samba is definitely the kind of player that QPR would want. When these two sides met in the FA Cup third round, it was a tight match decided by a late Jonas Gutierrez goal for Newcastle and this should be another closely fought game. Newcastle's Senegal strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse are on their way back from the Africa Cup of Nations after their country's surprise early exit, and that is a relief for the Magpies because they have started to run a little bit dry in terms of goals. Lawro's prediction: 1-1 Bolton v Arsenal (2000 GMT) So far, Bolton have only brought in one player this month - United States defender Tim Ream - and there is talk that there are a few teams interested in taking Kevin Davies off them, and Sunderland are definitely in for him. I'd be concerned if I was a Wanderers fan because, although David Ngog had a blinder against Liverpool on 21 January, I'm not sure he can replicate that sort of form week in, week out. As things stand, with the squad they have got, I still seriously think Bolton are going to get relegated. You would think that, if he is entertaining the idea of letting Davies go, then Owen Coyle has got someone else lined up because, in the predicament they are in you don't make yourself weaker, but I guess we will find out soon enough. The positive thing for Arsenal at the weekend was that, after being beaten by Fulham, Swansea and Manchester United, they came back so strongly from 2-0 down against Aston Villa in the FA Cup. That says a lot about the spirit of their side. Arsenal will go to Bolton and let Wanderers play but those days of the Gunners going to the Reebok Stadium and being battered are long gone. I'm seeing a comfortable enough win for Arsenal. Kurt Angle says: "I've not heard of that many teams, but TNA's UK office always rave about Arsenal - so they must win. But why are they allowed to play an Ox?" Lawro's prediction: 0-2 Fulham v West Brom (2000 GMT) West Brom look a much better team on the road than they do at The Hawthorns at the moment - they were turned over at home again by Norwich in the FA Cup at the weekend. But Fulham are the opposite, in that they appear to be so much stronger at Craven Cottage than anywhere else, and I am going for Martin Jol's side to get the three points. This is a big night for former Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson, and there will be a cracking atmosphere with the home side's fans looking to show him he was wrong to leave when he went to Liverpool in 2010. Lawro's prediction: 2-1 Sunderland v Norwich (2000 GMT) This is a clash between teacher and pupil - Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill and Norwich manager Paul Lambert who, as I've said before, reminds me so much of O'Neill in many ways. The Black Cats are on a very good run and, although I have to factor in Norwich's decent away form that saw them win again at West Brom in the FA Cup at the weekend, I still think the home side will get the three points. O'Neill has bid for Bolton striker Kevin Davies and they also had Fraizer Campbell looking sharp and scoring against Middlesbrough on Sunday in his first game back after a long lay-off. Norwich have no need to strengthen before the end of the month and I think they will continue to be very careful about who they bring in, in terms of upsetting the dynamic in their dressing room, because I think that is one of the key factors to their success. Lambert brought in Leeds midfielder Jonny Howson last week, and that sort of signing was straight out of the O'Neill guide to signing players who will have something to prove. The Canaries boss has not signed too many players who have been in the Premier League before, which sparks memories of O'Neill bringing the likes of Neil Lennon, Steve Guppy and Steve Claridge to Leicester. There are lots of players in the Championship that can make the step up if you give them the platform in the Premier League. Kurt Angle says: "Not two teams I'm familiar with, but Norwich sound cool. I'll go for them." Lawro's prediction: 2-1 Here are all of Mark Lawrenson's 230 Premier League predictions for the 2011-12 season so far, together with how the League Table would look like based on his forecasts... Lawro's 2011-12 Predictions
"As yet, QPR haven't done too much to solve their defensive and goalscoring problems" what about the two first team defenders and defensive midfielder we signed?
