Selectabet’s Picks v Lawro’s Predictions: 22nd Nov

After last week’s successful exploits I’m going to challenge Lawro’s predictions again this week and prove that he knows nothing. I’d have made a profit of £231.53 if I’d have placed £10 single bets on each of my predictions. Whereas Lawro would have been £158.47 out of pocket – now tell me who should be on Match of the Day?

For those of you who don’t know, Lawro is Mark Lawrenson, the moustachio’d, former Liverpool playing, BBC pundit who predicts the result of each of the Premier League games on the BBC website. This week’s predictions are over here.

Feel free to join in and submit your own predictions in the comments below – like lionking, who made a profit last week too!

PS I’ll create a wee league table to keep track of the top pundits after this week.

Aston Villa v Man Utd. Live on Setanta Sports 1. Kick off: Saturday 5.30pm

After a terrific win at The Emirates last week the games this week’s game isn’t any easier for Villa. With Liverpool and Chelsea setting the pace at the top of the table United can ill afford to drop any points in this one.

A win for the home side in this one would reinforce their credentials as top 4 contenders. However, United have a great recent record against Villa, winning all of the last 10 meetings between the two including 5 victories at Villa Park.

But I think Man Utd will be too strong for Martin O’Neill’s men again and with the firepower at their disposal should win this one.

Lawro’s Verdict: Man Utd Win (5/6 Blue Sq, Coral, SkyBet)

Lawro’s Score: Aston Villa 0 Man United 2 (8/1 BetInternet, Canbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Man Utd Win (5/6 Blue Sq, Coral, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Score: Aston Villa 0 Man United 2 (8/1 BetInternet, Canbet)

Chelsea v Newcastle. Kick Off: Saturday 3pm

There was a time when Newcastle couldn’t buy a win in London. And whilst they’ve managed the odd result in the Capital, Stamford Bridge still remains a bogey venue for the Magpies.

They’ve yet to record an away league win this season and despite a mini-revival under Joe Kinnear they’re not going to get their first 3 points on the road tomorrow. Chelsea know they must win every game with Liverpool keeping pace and Man Utd creeping up behind.

With Anelka in good scoring form I expect the Blues to win this one with a few to spare.

Lawro’s Verdict: Chelsea Win (2/9 Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power, Totesport)

Lawro’s Score: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0 (7/1 Bet Direct, Boylesports, Coral, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Chelsea Win (2/9 Betfred, Boylesports, Paddy Power, Totesport)

Selectabet’s Score: Chelsea 3 Newcastle 0 (7/1 Bet Direct, Boylesports, Coral, SkyBet)

Liverpool v Fulham. Kick off: Saturday 3pm

Fulham have yet to record an away win in the league this season and it’s unlikely they’ll get their first win at Anfield tomorrow. The Reds have been in fine form at home with only Stoke leaving with a point earlier in the season.

It’s about time Torres got back amongst the goals at Anfield too so I expect Rafa Benitez’s side to net a few in this one.

Lawro’s Verdict: Liverpool Win (2/7 Betfred, Coral, Paddy Power, William Hill)

Lawro’s Score: Liverpool 2 Fulham 0 (5/1 Bet365, Betfred, Blue Sq, Ladbrokes, Pagebet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Liverpool Win (2/7 Betfred, Coral, Paddy Power, William Hill)

Selectabet’s Score: Liverpool 4 Fulham 1 (20/1 BetUK, Sportingbet)

Man City v Arsenal. Kick off: Saturday 3pm

Arsenal’s season could be about to implode. The loss of Theo Walcott for three months and the outbursts from ‘captain’ William Gallas, just about sums about their current predicament and they wont be relishing a visit to the City of Manchester Stadium tomorrow.

City have done well at home recently and look a different team from the one that plays away, especially Robinho. They could have the players to bag a surprise win but it’s worth noting that 2 of their 3 home defeats have been at the hands of two of the leagues other top teams, Chelsea and Liverpool.

A lot will depend on how Arsenal respond to their defeat to Villa last week.

Lawro’s Verdict: Arsenal Win (5/4 Totesport)

Lawro’s Score: Man City 1 Arsenal 2 (17/2 BetInternet, Centrebet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Man City Win (5/2 Blue Sq)

Selectabet’s Score: Man City 2 Arsenal 1 (12/1 William Hill)

Middlesbrough v Bolton. Kick off: Saturday 3pm

Boring. Games like these make you question whether the Premier League is actually the best in the World?

Both teams have been really inconsistent so far which makes this one tough to call. But I’m going to go with Bolton to pull of a small surprise.

Lawro’s Verdict: Middlesbro Win (19/20 Centrebet)

Lawro’s Score: Middlesbro 2 Bolton 1 (8/1 BetInternet, Sportingbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Bolton Win (7/2 Blue Sq, Ladbrokes, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Score: Middlesbro 0 Bolton 2 (29/1 Canbet)

Portsmouth v Hull. Kick off: Saturday3pm

With only one win in seven it’s time for Pompey to get their season going. Whilst Hull have lost a bit of momentum that sparked their early season. Again this is another close one to call.

Hull are a good footballing team and will hold their own against almost anyone in the league and can get a draw in this one.

Lawro’s Verdict: Portsmouth Win (17/20 Centrebet)

Lawro’s Score: Portsmouth 1 Hull City 0 (6/1 Bet365, Bet Direct, Stan James)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Draw (13/5 Bet365)

Selectabet’s Score: Portsmouth 2 Hull City 2 (16/1 Sportingbet)

Stoke v West Brom. Kick off: Saturday 3pm.

Stoke have won their last 4 at home, West Brom have lost their last 3 away – looks like a no-brainer.

Stoke also have a good home record against the Baggies in recent years. Both teams will be desperate for the 3 points and it looks to me like Stoke will be the ones picking up the spoils.

Lawro’s Verdict: Draw (5/2 William Hill)

Lawro’s Score: Stoke 1 WBA 1 (6/1 Canbet, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Stoke Win (13/10 Centrebet)

Selectabet’s Score: Stoke 1 WBA 0 (7/1 Bet Direct, Coral, Ladbrokes, Stan James)

Sunderland v West Ham. Live on Sky Sports 1. Kick off: Sunday 4pm

West Ham haven’t won since September so it’s difficult to see them winning this one against a Sunderland side who finally got the breaks that Roy Keane reckons they’ve deserved last week.

The Black Cats need to build on that win at Blackburn and with Cisse up front I think they can see of the Hamers in this one.

Lawro’s Verdict: Sunderland Win (6/5 Bet Direct, Centrebet, Stan James)

Lawros’ Score: Sunderland 2 West Ham 0 (10/1 BetInternet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Sunderland Win (6/5 Bet Direct, Centrebet, Stan James)

Selectabet’s Score: Sunderland 2 West Ham 0 (10/1 BetInternet)

Tottenham v Blackburn. Live on Sky Sports 1. Kick off: Sunday 1.30pm

Harry’s Spurs recovery hit the buffers last weekend at Fulham and he’ll be desperate to get a win in this one to prove that his side’s recent upturn in fortunes wasn’t just the result of New Manager Syndrome.

Blackburn’s haven’t won any of their last 7 league games and Paul Ince will be coming under sever pressure if that run is allowed to continue. Unfortunately for him I think it will as I can see Spurs winning this one b a single goal.

Lawro’s Verdict: Spurs Win (4/5 Boylesports)

Lawro’s Score: Spurs 2 Blackburn 0 (15/2 Canbet, Paddy Power)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Spurs Win (4/5 Boylesports)

Selectabet’s Score: Spurs 2 Blackburn 1 (15/2 Blue Sq, Canbet, Sportingbet)

Wigan v Everton. Live on Setanta Sports 1. Kick off: Monday 8pm

I’m looking forward to a good open game in this one. Everton have picked things up of late and are unbeaten in five, including away wins at West Ham and Bolton. Despite some steady progress Wigan have only won once in their last 8 though.

The home side have a few injury doubts ahead of Monday night too so I’m favouring Everton to win this one. In three visits to Wigan on Premiership duty they’ve won twice and drawn the other so I think they can pick up the three points again.

Lawro’s Verdict: Draw (23/10 Bet365, Betfred, Ladbrokes, VCBet)

Lawro’s Score: Wigan 2 Everton 2 (17/1 Canbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Everton Win 15/8 (Bet365, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Score: Wigan 1 Everton 2 (11/1 Blue Sq)

So that’s my picks for the week. Again it’ll be a tenner on each pick (verdict & score) and let’s see who comes out on top.

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