Lawro’s FA Cup Predictions
Tottenham 2-0 Burnley
Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle
Stoke 0-2 Brighton
Chelsea 2-0 Preston
Middlesbrough 1-1 Aston Villa
Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield
Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Wigan 0-2 Manchester United
You can’t have the Premier League every weekend and, you know what, sometimes a change of scenery is nice. This time around we’re being served a big-fat helping of FA Cup action from Thursday right through to Monday.
And one man who’s missing the top flight more than most is our Premier League Prediction prince Mark Lawrenson. But fear not, the all-seeing eye never sleeps and he’s here to regale us with his FA Cup calls for the biggest matches in third round weekend. Take it away Lawro.
Friday 8pm: Tottenham v Burnley
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player
From Burnley’s point of view they won’t be worried about advancing in the FA Cup because they’ll want to stay in the league. Tottenham only play one way so I think they’re going to win. They might be thinking they’ve got a chance of getting to the final if the draw is kind. They look like a cup team. Tottenham 2-0 Burnley.
Saturday 12.45pm: Sunderland v Newcastle
TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player
This will be fiery because it’s quite a few years since they’ve played each other. In all honesty Newcastle could have been beaten by 10 goals against Liverpool at Anfield. They were absolutely battered but I think this might be a draw. If I could choose one fixture to watch this weekend it would be this, I’d love to be in the stadium. It will be as interesting off the pitch as on it I think! Sunderland 1-1 Newcastle.
Saturday 3pm: Stoke v Brighton
Stoke have picked up of late and Brighton had that dull draw with West Ham last time. Even though Roberto De Zerbi will change his team I’m going for Brighton to win here. I just think they’ve got too much quality for Stoke. Stoke 0-2 Brighton.
Saturday 5.30pm: Chelsea v Preston
TV: BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
There’s 6,000 Preston punters going down to this one but at the moment the natives are a little bit restless with the results. It’s a big day for the club and it’s also probably a big day for the manager Ryan Lowe but it’s a free hit, isn’t it? You just don’t know with Chelsea what you’re going to get. There just seemed to be no urgency in that Wolves defeat whatsoever but I’ll still go for Chelsea. Chelsea 2-0 Preston.
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Saturday 5.30pm: Middlesbrough v Aston Villa
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
This will be an interesting one and I would imagine that Aston Villa will change the team around. I think Unai Emery will give quite a few a rest while picking a team that he thinks is good enough to win. You know what, I think this will be a draw. Middlesbrough had a poor start to the season but they’ve picked up of late. Middlesbrough 1-1 Aston Villa.
Sunday 2pm: Manchester City v Huddersfield
TV: BBC Red Button, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
It’s a great day for Huddersfield and should be a good payday with them getting around 50% of the gate. They’ll have a good day out, the Huddersfield fans. Not sure who Pep Guardiola will pick but it won’t matter. Manchester City 3-0 Huddersfield.
Sunday 4.30pm: Arsenal v Liverpool
TV: BBC One, BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
Arsenal slipped up against Fulham, that was a strange performance. These two don’t want a replay, that’s for certain. I’m going to go with the wounded-animal theory which tells me that Arsenal will win this. Jurgen Klopp might rotate with Fulham coming up in the Carabao Cup. They’re in four competitions and they’re going to fall by the wayside somewhere and this might be the time that they do. That might not be the worst thing in the world for Liverpool. Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool.
Monday 8.15pm: Wigan v Manchester United
TV: TV: ITV1, STV, ITVX and STV Player
I don’t know how to describe Manchester United any more. I can’t work it out, I really can’t. I hate that phrase, ‘lost the dressing room’, but there are players in there who think they’re great players but they’re just moseying around all the time. Wigan have struggled a bit and have had a few problems in the last few years. It’s a big day for them as they’re at home but I’ll go for United. Wigan 0-2 Manchester United.
All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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