Beat Lawro 22/8/09

Current Standings:
Lawro 6, 1 perfect -1.5pts
Tarquin 8, 2 perfect 4 points

Arsenal v Portsmouth

Lawro 2-0
Tarquin 3-0

Surely Portsmouth are just whipping boys right now?

Birmingham v Stoke

Lawro 1-1
Tarquin 1-0

I don't expect Stoke to travel any better this year than last, but this should be a pretty tough affair between two physical sides

Hull v Bolton

Lawro 1-0
Tarquin 1-1

Will Hull finally come good at home? I doubt it, they might scrape past Bolton bt as they haven't won there in nearly a year (and that was Middlesboro) I'll plump for a draw (no draws out of 16 games yet would indicate we're due for a few)

City v Wolves

Lawro 2-0
Tarquin 3-0

City, they may not be regarded as world beaters just yet but I don't expect them to lose form for at least a month or two, I can't see Wolves getting anything here, especially as they're coming off a mid-week game and City have had a week to themselves

Sunderland v Blackburn

Lawro 2-1
Tarquin 1-0

Sticking my neck out here - I'm partly hoping Bent won't get a third goal out of three because I have yet to buy him (the various midfields needed sorting) so I'll go for a wretched display ending in a low scoring home win

Wigan v United

Lawro 0-2
Tarquin 0-2

So, United were beaten by Burnley - they did that by their goalkeeper pulling out a Jesus display and saving a penalty - fair credit to the boys, they did great, but United were still a big threat, and you would expect that out of two away games they'll come good in at least one

United did show some weakness, it's clear that the absense of match-winner Ronaldo has seriously damaged them, and Rooney alone cannot provide all the world-class talent, which is why I don't think they'll be winning the league considering how close Chelsea and Liverpool ran them last year, and they tend to start slowly, but I think they'll respond and hammer out a win at the JJB (or DW?).

West Ham v Tottenham (Sunday)

Lawro 1-1
Tarquin 1-2

London derby, Harry at Upton Park...all those important, completely superstitious things that make this sort of game interesting make it impossible to predict - I would favour a Spurs win

Burnley v Everton

Lawro 0-2
Tarquin 0-1

'Can Burnley hold off the long ball into Tim Cahill?' is the question here - Everton have quite a few problems with Arteta already out, Lescott not being adequately replaced, and less-than-spectacular forwards (I give Saha 11 days) - and the 4-0 scoreline on Thursday was quite flattering - but nevertheless, Moyes will look at how to break down Burnley and should get the win

Fulham v Chelsea

Lawro 1-2
Tarquin 1-1

Can Fulham throw the obligatory spanner in the works? I hope so, Chelsea have come from behind twice in the past week, but Fulham will be the biggest test yet - Chelsea clearly have it in them and came out in the second half against Sunderland a rejuvenated side, a sure sign Ancelotti's doing a good job - Fulham need to ensure they give no quarter to them, and they need to hope Chelsea don't get too much luck

Liverpool v Villa (monday)

Lawro 2-0
Tarquin 3-1

Difficult one, Liverpool may have torn Stoke to shreds, and it's very good that they've begun doing that in 'easy' home games that they frequently used to draw (last year the same game was 0-0) but Villa are a different kettle of fish altogether - based on the Villa we've seen so far Liverpool should be able to knock it around comfortably, but beware the famous counter-attack, Liverpool's defence isn't *that* brilliant (incidentally this was 5-0 last year)