Lawro's FA Cup predictions | ||||||
 HOW DID LAWRO DO LAST TIME?
Lawro got SIX results right, with ONE perfect score. SELECTED FA CUP PREDICTIONS (All kick-offs are 1500 GMT unless specified) FRIDAY Tottenham 3-1 Wigan (2000 GMT) Verdict: 2-0 SATURDAY Hartlepool v Stoke (1300 GMT) Verdict: 1-1 Stoke have just come from the Championship so they know how to play against physical teams, though Hartlepool do play some good football. It might not be pretty, but it's a tough fixture for Stoke - because after playing the likes of Manchester United, they are expected to win this one. Arsenal v Plymouth Verdict: 2-0 I cannot see an upset happening at The Emirates, as even on a bad day with some reserve players Arsenal will create enough chances to win. But it's a full house and a great day out for the Plymouth fans and they should have a cracking time. Birmingham v Wolves Verdict: 2-1 I guess this is the archetypal 'if we lose we can just concentrate on the league' game, with both clubs flying high in the Championship. It'll be interesting to see if both really go for the win. I don't think Cup runs particularly affect league form, if you don't get replays there aren't that many more games and they both have large enough squads to cope. Chelsea v Southend Verdict: 3-0 As with Plymouth, this is a fantastic draw for Southend, but you cannot see them getting much change out of Chelsea. It is a really good opportunity for the players to go and test themselves against the best and the club gets a handy cash boost in the process. Hull v Newcastle Verdict: 2-1 Another all-Premier League tie and it would be a good one for both of them to win - Hull after a recent blip and Newcastle after that hammering by Liverpool the other day. Newcastle have improved under Joe Kinnear, but the news that Shay Given is considering his Magpies future might well have a negative impact. Kettering v Eastwood Town Verdict: 2-0 Before they beat Notts County you could get odds of 8-1 against Kettering being the last non-league team left in the FA Cup and I'm going for them. It's a great tie for both clubs and it will be a fantastic day, but I reckon home advantage might just be the deciding factor. Macclesfield v Everton Verdict: 0-2 Moss Rose is not an easy place to go, but the gap is just too big and strikers or no strikers, Everton will be too strong. It is a welcome and healthy distraction from the league for both clubs but Everton just aren't conceding any goals at the moment. Man City v Nott'm Forest Verdict: 2-0 I think you might get a performance out of City with the transfer window open - there are plenty of players playing for places, but a few looking for a move away as well. I'm surprised Billy Davies has left caretaker-boss John Pemberton in charge of Forest despite being named as their new manager, he'll be champing at the bit to get involved. Middlesbrough v Barrow Verdict: 2-0 Barrow are apparently taking 7,000 fans to The Riverside, which is fantastic support, absolutely brilliant stuff. Boro have been poor at home but they put in a much-improved display at Manchester United on Monday and should have too much quality for their opponents. Portsmouth v Bristol City Verdict: 1-1 Bristol City were having a dodgy run, but they look like they have turned the corner and they will be up for this one. Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe wants to leave and a few others might too, difficult times for Tony Adams there. I reckon City will take them to a replay and win it. Sheff Wed v Fulham Verdict: 2-1 There is a potential shock here, Sheffield Wednesday are not bad at home and they score a few goals at Hillsborough too. Roy Hodgson has done a great job at Fulham, but I'm tipping Championship to beat Premier League here. Sunderland v Bolton Verdict: 1-0 It was an inauspicious start to Ricky Sbragia's permanent reign as Sunderland boss when they lost at Everton, though he did well as caretaker-manager. This will not be a classic, but Sunderland will want to take revenge for the 4-1 hammering Bolton gave them in November. West Brom v Peterborough Verdict: 2-1 This will be a great day for Posh boss Darren Ferguson who has done a fantastic job there, they are going well in League One and scoring lots of goals. I reckon they will push West Brom all the way, but the Baggies will just have a bit too much and they can enjoy playing away from the pressures of the league, too. West Ham v Barnsley Verdict: 2-0 We all know about Barnsley's Cup run last year, but does lightning ever strike twice? I don't think so. West Ham are another team that has turned a corner in recent weeks and the Hammers will progress to the fourth round. Preston v Liverpool (1725 GMT) Verdict: 1-1 Preston need the money and they would be absolutely delighted to take Liverpool to a money-spinning replay at Anfield, though the Reds will go through eventually. I'm also willing to bet that Steven Gerrard will play at Deepdale despite recent events, I think they'll want to throw him straight back in and he will want to play too. SUNDAY Gillingham v Aston Villa (1330 GMT) Verdict: 0-2 Gillingham have home advantage, but Villa are absolutely flying at the moment and they have such frightening pace in the side too. They also score late goals, I just think they will be far too strong for the League Two side on this occasion. Southampton v Man Utd (1600 GMT) Verdict: 0-2 It will be good to see St Mary's full again for this one, but they've got a young team, Southampton, and they are struggling a bit this season. It's not a game I'd expect United to play a weakened team in, but even if they did, their weakened team would finish sixth in the Premier League. MONDAY Blyth Spartans v Blackburn (2000 GMT) Verdict: 0-2 I once saw Preston beat Blyth Spartans in the FA Cup in 1974, though that was in a replay after a 1-1 draw in the first game! I just think that big Sam Allardyce is going to turn Blackburn into a team that is hard to beat and they should go through to the next round. Mark Lawrenson was talking to BBC Sport's Jonathan Stevenson | ||||||
2009년 1월 3일 토요일
Lawro's FA Cup predictions
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