Russell v Lawro

This will be the first of many Friday afternoon posts I will be going one on one against the BBC legend Mark Lawrenson. As most of you know Lawro does predictions for every Barclay's Premier League each weekend, for his thoughts click here.  So I thought why not put my ideas into the fishing pot and see if I am can best the pro.


Saturday

Everton 0 Manchester United 3

Everton v Manchester United  12.45pm ko
Well this game has Rooney written all over it, the Everton boy wonder is back to haunt Goodison Park once again.  The England striker finally ended both his goal droughts for club and country and with Berbatov playing his best football and Giggs and Scholes turning back the clock United look and tough team to face at the moment. With Everton's poor start to be thrown into the hat I can only see a win for Manchester United .
                      

Arseanl 2 Bolton 1

Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers 15.00pm ko

Arsenal had a long list of injured playes made longer on Tuesday after Theo Walcott's injury.  Despite the number of injuries I think Arsene Wenger's aide will still have more than enough to defeat Owen Coyle's Bolton, as side which is losing its physicality and playing prettier football.  This new Bolton won't rough Arsenal Up as Much as older ones so I think Arsenal shall win this but their defence may face a few challenges.

Fulham 2 Wolves 0

Fulham v Wolverhamton Wanderers 15.00pm ko

Wolves have had their best start to the premierships they have the strongest squad they have ever had but all of this won't be enough for them to beat Mark Hughes' Fulham.  Fulham have done very well in keeping keeper Mark Schwarzer he will give them anywhere between 5 and 10 clean sheets this season and with Bobby Zamora fit as a fiddle they will be too strong for Mick McCarthy's boys.

Man City 3 Blackburn 0

Manchester City v Blackburn Rovers 15.00pm ko

After the surprise last minute loss Sunderland last week the Sky Blues will be looking to show everyone what they are capable of and that is a shame for Blackburn because I don't see Joe Hart conceding any goals but i do see the Man City scoring them.  Big Sam's men won't be able to kick Man City of the ball Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure are more than ready for a physical competition like that.

Newcastle 2 Blackpool 0

Newcastle United v Blackpool 15.00pm ko

Andy Caroll is looking like a top class striker this season, the one season in the lower division to improve his form and morale has done wonders for his game.  Blackpool are leaking goals left right and centre, this cannot continue if they are going to even stand a chance of surviving in the premiership this year.  But they way they are playing they will struggle in the at St. James' Park on Saturday.

West Brom v Tottenham 15.00pm ko

West Brom 1 Tottenham 2

West Brom's home form is what has kept them close to safety in the past
and it is what they really need to do if they are going to stay up this year.  They will put up a reasonable fight against Spurs but I don't think it will be enough against a Spurs side that was already looking good going forward before Rafael van der Vaart joined. The Tottenham defence is the only question so I  think West Brom will score but Spurs will score more.

West Ham 0 Chelsea 2

West Ham v Chelsea 15.00pm ko
West Ham have been by the worst side in the Premiership so far but they managed to keep their top players so they should come out of the downslide I just don't think it will be against Chelsea this weekend. Although Avram Grant know something’s about the Chelsea squad and how they will play but that will only decrease the number of goals Chelsea will score.

Wigan 0 Sunderland 1

Wigan v Sunderland 15.00pm ko

Both of these sides picked up some much wanted points last weeks from games they weren't expected points from, so they both should have some boosted morale. With acquisition of Asamoah Gyan and the form of Darren Bent the Wearsiders will have to much quality for the boys at the DW Stadium but with the form of Ali Al Habsi it will be a close one.

Sunday

Birmingham 1 Liverpool 2

Birmingham v Liverpool 16.00pm ko

This is a very important game for both sides Birmingham need to try and build on last year’s performances in big matches and Liverpool need to improve their performances if they are going to make it back into the top 4 and champions league. But Birmingham have looked like a shadow of their former selves and Liverpool will edge this one.

Monday

Stoke City 1 Aston Villa 0

Stoke v Aston Villa 20.00pm ko

Stoke made a number of key transfers at the end of the transfer window, the way they play will decide if Stoke pick up the points on Monday.  This will be a very tough game for Gerard Houllier as his men probably have low morale at the moment and this midlands derby is not want they wanted right now.  Houllier's tactics with Liverpool was the flat back 8 which just won't work against this stoke side.

So there you have it, if you want to see Lawro's predictions then click here and come Monday evening we will know who has won round one.