Russell v Lawro : Week 4

Well it continues with a similar performance to last week, would of been better if Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham all surprisingly lose, from me last week predicting 4 results right and 2 correct score compared to Lawro's 1 result right and no correct scores.  Lawro didn't have a very good week and with my steady improvement I took my first win the score is now 2-1 to Lawro.  Here are last weeks results.

Lawro's predictions Man City 1-1 Chelsea Arsenal 3-0 West Brom Birmingham 2-1 Wigan Blackpool 2-1 Blackburn Fulham 1-2 Everton Liverpool 2-0 Sunderland West Ham 2-1 Tottenham Bolton 0-2 Man Utd Wolves 1-1 Aston Villa Newcastle 2-2 Stoke

My Predictions Man City 0-2 Chelsea Arsenal 2-1 West Brom Birmingham 2-0 Wigan Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn Fulham 1-1 Everton Liverpool 1-1 Sunderland West Ham 1-3 Tottenham Bolton 1-4 Man Utd Wolves 1-2 Aston Villa Newcastle 2-2 Stoke

Actual results Man City 1-0 Chelsea Arsenal 2-3 West Brom Birmingham 0-0 Wigan Blackpool 1-2 Blackburn Fulham 0-0 Everton Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland West Ham 1-0 Tottenham Bolton 2-2 Man Utd Wolves 1-2 Aston Villa Newcastle 1-2 Stoke

Saturday

Wigan v Wolves 1245 BST ko

This match should be produce a very interesting start tot the weekend with Wolves and Wigan languishing in 17th and 18th, both have had poorer starts to the season than they would of suspected.  It may be to say this but it could already be the first relegation six pointer.  Wolves played very well against Villa last Sunday dominating most of the second half but failed to create many chances and Villa hit them on the break to take all the points.  Wigan had a good 0-0 draw against Birmingham, they had been leaking goals at the back like a BP oil rig.  This should probably give Wigan some confidence but both side will becoming into this game wan to win it but i think they will have to settle for a draw.

Lawro's Prediction: 2-1    My Prediction: 1-1

Birmingham v Everton 1500 BST ko

Birminghan have know gone a whole season without losing at home, a very respectable record for a side in the premier league.  In contrast Everton, rock bottom of the league, are having their poorest start to a season in 15 years.  As Lawro says it would be one of footballs ironies if Everton went and won this match.  Birmingham look to have a good replacement for Joe Hart in Ben Foster, a good performance last week combined with the clean sheet will give him the confidence he needs to keep this form.  Everton are still without most of their strike force and if you excluded the Manchester United match they have struggled to score and see that continuing this weekend.

Lawro's Prediction: 0-2    My Prediction: 2-1

Stoke v Blackburn 1500 BST ko

This could very possibly turn into a dog fight between the two long ball specialists.  Stoke and Blackburn both have big men up front and in defence, I don't expect to see the ball on the floor that often.  Set-pieces might be the key in this game, this will be a hard fought game but hopefully a fair one if the referee doesn't take control of a match like this it could get ugly.  But it could possibly be the flair of the one or two players each side has that likes to run with the ball which will decide this match.  Stoke are scoring more goals than Blackburn at the moment and I think that will be the difference.

Lawro's Prediction: 1-1    My Prediction: 2-1

Sunderland v Man Utd 1500 BST ko

After another good result against a top side last week, give them 5 points from matches against Arsenal Man City and Liverpool, Steve Bruce will want his side to pick up some more points against his old gaffa this weekend.  Darren Bent is scoring again and the rest of the squad is chipping in every now and then as well, Sunderland are starting to look like a very good unit capable of a top 10 finish this season.  They come up against a United side that is returning from a good win in Europe and with Uniteds squad depth I don't think they will be many tired legs.  With Vidic and Ferdinand back together in front of Van der Sar United defensive problems should be disappearing and United are always a threat up front.

Lawro's Prediction: 1-2    My Prediction: 0-3

Tottenham v Aston Villa 1500 BST ko

Tottenham looked fantastic going forward on Wednesday night, the addition of Van der Vaart is in my opinion possibly the transfer that could move Tottemhams club status up.  Tottenham's forwards will be coming up against an Aston Villa side who look rejuvenated under new manager Gerard Houllier, in a very short amount of time he has made a couple of key tactical changes.  He has moved Ashley Young into the middle of the park and he has look fantastic in the last two games, he also may possibly be the only man who knows how to get Emile Heskey to play well.  Villa are looking good but Tottenham are looking better, I think there might be goals in this game.

Lawro's Prediction: 2-0    My Prediction: 3-2

West Brom v Bolton 1500 BST ko

West Brom showed everyone last week what they are truly capable of if you don't set up right against them.  Nickey Shorey and Jerome Thomas utterly destroyed Arsenal down West Brom's left flank, this gave them plenty opportunities to get crosses into the box and play through balls to Odemwinge.  Bolton play more attractive football now than they used to but against West Brom I don't think it is going to help.  Bolton picked up a draw against United on Sunday but United looked poor, I see West Brom really going for this match and to try and extend their winning run to 4 games.

 Lawro's Prediction: 1-1    My Prediction: 2-1

West Ham v Fulham 1500 BST ko

This London derby will be a good test for West Ham, it will show us whether the result against Tottenham was a hard fought result which marks the changing point in their season or if it was just a brief glimpse of their potential before they go back tot heir losing ways.  Fulham pick up a point in a bore draw at Goodison last weekend and will hope to improve on that performance.  They look very solid at the back with Schwarzer being commanding in goal, Fulham's problem is that their strike force is injured so goals will be hard to come by.  This match could be another bore draw for Fulham

 Lawro's Prediction: 2-1    My Prediction: 0-0

Sunday

Man City v Newcastle 1330 BST ko

The Sky Blues are on a roll a deserved win against Chelsea last Saturday and a hard fought draw against Juventus mid week.  They come up against a Newcastle side that are just starting to splutter a little, good wins against Villa and Everton are negated by the poor defeats by Blackpool and Stoke.  With first choice keeper, Harper, out injured for 12 weeks number two keeper Krul will have to make a big step up to help Newcastle.  City have far to much talent for Newcastle but don't seem to be banging in the goals they will win this one but won't score that many.

Lawro's Prediction: 2-0    My Prediction: 2-0

Liverpool v Blackpool 1500 BST ko

This is a battle of the 'pools that I wouldn't have been expecting this year outside of any cup format, let alone one which Blackpool possible stand a chance a getting something from.  Blackpool will be disappointed with their lose against Blackburn last week but will come at Liverpool with full attacking force.  Liverpool scraped a draw mid week in Europe and haven't looked like a complete side for a while now, they are relying on Steven Gerrard too much.  Other plays need to step up to the plate and take control of the game, this game against Blackpool is the perfect chance for them to do it.

Lawro's Prediction: 3-1    My Prediction: 2-1

Chelsea v Arsenal 1600 BST ko

In every game apart from the one against Man City, Chelsea have had the game done and dusted but he end of the first half.  They seemed to look a bit odd in the second half against Man City and they took full advantage from it.  Arsenal were poor against West Brom last week but a good performance against Belgrade should have them ready to go for this match.  With Almunia picking up and "Injury" Fabianski played mid week and he was very good making a few top class saves, if Arsenal are going to get anything out of this game he will have to perform at that level again this Sunday.  Both side have looked good going forward this season but Chelsea have looked much better at the back than Arsenal this season and that will be the difference.

Lawro's Prediction: 2-0    My Prediction: 2-1