Selectabet’s Picks v Lawro’s Predictions: 17th January

It was a successful week for most of us with 5 out of six of us turning a profit – including Lawro himself, who incredibly made most money out of all of us. Well done to debutants, Joe C and talbo who made a small profit at their first attempt – it’s all downhill from here guys!

There’s a full card of Premier League games this week to get our teeth into. Remember it’s a virtual tenner on each result and each correct score at the best odds you can find. Let’s see who can come out on top this week.

Feel free to take part – it’s just for fun. But if you’re interested in participating in a sponsored Challenge Lawro competition, which I hope to start soon, see the details below and sign up.

Blackburn v Newcastle

Big Sam Allardyce faces Newcastle for the first time since he was sacked by the Toon almost a year ago and will be desperate to get over his former employers. But with neither side enjoying a season to remember this one looks like ending in a stalemate to me.

Lawro’s Verdict: Blackburn 11/10 (Blue Sq, Boylesports, Coral)

Lawro’s Result: Blackburn 2 Newcastle 1 17/2 (Centrebet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Draw 12/5 (Bet365, Betfred, Totesport)

Selectabet’s Result: Blackburn 2 Newcastle 2 16/1 (Blue Sq)

Bolton v Man Utd

A win for United will take them top of the table for the first time this season. Their demolition of Chelsea on Sunday signalled their credentials for retaining their crown but it’s games like this one that they need to win to secure anioher league title. United haven’t lost a goal in 7 and goal-shy Bolton look unlikely to break their run. A comfortable, if low-scoring, win for Sir Alex’s side.

Lawro’s Verdict: Man Utd 1/2 (Bet365, Blue Sq, SkyBet)

Lawro’s Result: Bolton 0 Man Utd 2 6/1 (Ladbrokes)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Man Utd 1/2 (Bet365, Blue Sq, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Result: Bolton 0 Man Utd 1 6/1 (Betfred, Coral)

Chelsea v Stoke

There may be trouble ahead… The Blues look like a side that could self-destruct if they don’t turn the corner soon, but Wednesday’s comeback at Southend suggests that news of their demise may be greatly exaggerated. A home game against Stoke is exactly what they need to get some much needed points on the board. We’ll see the real Chelsea sooner or later.

Lawro’s Verdict: Chelsea 1/4 (Blue Sq, Boylesports)

Lawro’s Result: Chelsea 2 Stoke 0 11/2 (SkyBet, William Hill)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Chelsea 1/4 (Blue Sq, Boylesports)

Selectabet’s Result: Chelsea 5 Stoke 0 22/1 (Sportingbet)

Hull v Arsenal

Hull’s stunning win at the Emirates earlier in the season seems like a distant memory now and they’re sliding down the table fast. They’re no longer an unknown quantity and I can see Arsenal exacting revenge on Phil Brown’s side.

Lawro’s Verdict: Arsenal 4/6 (Blue Sq, Betfred, SkyBet)

Lawro’s Result: Hull 1 Arsenal 2 8/1 (BetInternet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Arsenal 4/6 (Blue Sq, Betfred, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Result: Hull 1 Arsenal 2 8/1 (BetInternet)

Man City v Wigan

Mark Hughes may be engaged in building his real-life fantasy football team but if results don’t start to go City’s way he won’t be there to field his dream team. One win in nine is not good enough, especially with the talent at his disposal. Tomorrow they face Wigan whose form has been terrific recently. Their only 2 defeats in the last 11 league games have been 1-0 losses away to Arsenal and Manchester United, so they’re arguably the form team outside the top four.

The Latics also have a good record against City, having won 5 of the last 7 meetings and drawn the other two. The circus that surrounds Man City at the moment may be a distraction that Wigan can take advantage of.

Lawro’s Verdict: Man City 21/10 (Blue Sq, Boylesports, Stan James)

Lawro’s Result: Man City 2 Wigan 1 15/2 (Bet365, Sportingbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Wigan 10/3 (SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Result: Man City 0 Wigan 1 11/1 (Canbet)

Sunderland v Aston Villa

Domestically, Villa have been in top form and are unbeaten in 10. They’re chasing their 5th consecutive away win in the league but have found wins difficult to come by in recent years at the Stadium of Light. Villa need the 3 points to stay ahead of Arsenal in 4th place, whereas a win for Sunderland could see them climb to 10th.

The Black Cats form has been so inconsistent of late that it’s difficult to back them with any confidence but I think they can give Villa a good game. I’m sitting on teh fence with this one.

Lawro’s Verdict: Draw 12/5 (Boylesports, SkyBet)

Lawro’s Result: Sunderland 1 Villa 1 6/1 (Boylesports, Canbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Draw 12/5 (Boylesports, SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Result: Sunderland 1 Villa 1 6/1 (Boylesports, Canbet)

West Brom v Middlesbrough

This one has ‘classic’ written all over it… not! Both teams are struggling to avoid a relegation scrap so this is a bit of a six-pointer. Although bottom of the table the Baggies have been in better form than Boro recently but it’s only matter a matter of time before Boro’s inconsistency means they’ll give some a tanking. Could be tomorrow.

Lawro’s Verdict: West Brom 7/5 (Blue Sq, Paddy Power)

Lawro’s Result: West Brom 2 Boro 0 11/1 (BetInternet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Boro 11/5 (Coral)

Selectabet’s Result: West Brom 1 Boro 4 100/1 (Blue Sq)

Tottenham v Portsmouth

Harry faces his old club in this one and he’ll know just about everything there is to know about Tony Adams’ side. The game also sees Jermaine Defoe up against his former teammates so don’t be surprised if he gets his name on the scoresheet. Spurs should win this one quite comfortably I think.

Lawro’s Verdict: Spurs 8/11 (Bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes)

Lawro’s Result: Spurs 2 Pompey 1 8/1 (SkyBet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Spurs 8/11 (Bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes)

Selectabet’s Result: Spurs 2 Pompey 0 15/2 (SkyBet)

West Ham v Fulham

Unbelievably, Fulham’s last four away league games have ended 0-0, in fact they haven’t scored a league goal away from home in 453 minutes of play so don’t expect them to be rattling in a few at West Ham. Instead it’s worth looking at the record of the two sides last 10 meetings, which reads 7-3-0 in favour of the Hammers. Gianfranco Zola’s side have been better in recent weeks and can put an end to Fulham’s nine-match unbeaten run.

Lawro’s Verdict: Draw 12/5 (Betfred, Boylesports, Totesport)

Lawro’s Result: West Ham 1 Fulham 1 6/1 (Blue Sq, Canbet)

Selectabet’s Verdict: West Ham 6/5 (Betfred, Blue Sq, Boylesports)

Selectabet’s Result: West Ham 2 Fulham 1 9/1 (Centrebet)

Liverpool v Everton

A packed Anfield on a cold Monday night for a Merseyside Derby – sounds perfect. Let’s hope the game lives up to the billing. Rafa has largely managed to keep his foot out his mouth this week and after Saturday’s dismal goalless draw at Stoke he really needs a result in this one. By Monday night the pressure could be really on if United go top of the table with a win at Bolton.

Everton have their own targets and a recent run of wins has taken them within touching distance of the Champions League places. Although their strikeforce has been decimated they’ve been racking up the wins and won’t fear a visit to their neighbours. Can Liverpool handle the pressure of an up-and-at-em Everton?

Lawro’s Verdict: Liverpool 4/6 (Ladbrokes)

Lawro’s Result: Liverpool 1 Everton 0 6/1 (Coral, Stan James)

Selectabet’s Verdict: Everton 11/2 (SkyBet, William Hill)

Selectabet’ Result: Liverpool 0 Everton 1 14/1 (Blue Sq)

Feel free to Challenge Lawro yourself by leaving your predictions in the comments below. If you want to take part in our league table remember to also write the best odds for your predictions.

If you would be interested in taking part in a sponsored Challenge Lawro competition please fill in your details below to sign up. One of the world’s largest bookmakers, bwin, have kindly offered to sponsor the Challenge with €100 of bets but I need at least 10 people to be playing before we can start the competition (hopefully at the beginning of February).

If you know anyone else that might be interested in taking part please feel free to invite them too.

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Good luck with your picks for this week.

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