Mark Lawrenson's last-ever Premier League predictions: final-day fixtures

Mark Lawrenson is making his final set of predictions this weekend.

The weekly feature was started by Lawro back in 2000 and has since become a fixture on Football Focus, Radio 5 Live and the website.

Since then, he has made more than 8,000 predictions, taken on hundreds of celebrity guests who have given their own scores, been sent a rude message by dozens of them, and even got one or two results right along the way.

Lawro said that his average score is not too bad.

The time I always remember is when it was cold after a night match.

I was walking out of the ground when a man stopped me and asked if Mr Lawrenson was doing well.

If I honestly thought I could accurately predict the results of football matches, I wouldn't be here. I would be in a hotel.

I think he understood where I was coming from.

After starting out as an occasional segment on TV via Football Focus, Lawro's Predictions became a popular feature on the BBC Sport website, where they generate hundreds of thousands of page impressions each week, and his record was 1.2m when he took on Rick Astley for the festive

Fans and clubs have complained that Lawro was biased against them when he submitted his scores. West Ham is among them.

In January of the season, the Hammers were sixth in the league, but 19th with two wins, and they were based on Lawro's League Table, which is at the bottom of every predictions page. It did not go well at the park.

David Gold commented that he was no fan of Lawro. The power of a few predictions is apparent.

Lawro's response probably didn't help, but he has never made a prediction just to please people.

Lawro said the following week that he did not have anything against West Ham.

I have been wrong about them a lot this season so I am sure their fans will not mind that I am tipping them to lose to Bournemouth this week.

West Ham defeated the Hammers by a score of 3-1.

Lawro was responsible for the longest run in English football history. Well, sort of.

The 159-game streak that Lawro tipped to remain perfect for between May 2016 and November 2020 is not the 49 games by the "Instincts" between May 2003 and October 2004.

His former team only lost 16 of those games in real life, and he has tipped Manchester City to remain perfect for the entire season.

When people started giving me a bit of stick about it, Lawro realized he didn't tipLiverpool to lose a couple of seasons into that run.

Since then, though, the Reds have been outstanding and have never lost a real game. How good am I?

I don't go through my previous predictions for each team when I look at the fixture. That doesn't help me get their next results right

I don't pay attention to the table based on my scores, but the top teams often stay perfect because I don't tip them to lose many games.

For one final time, here are Lawro's scores.

A correct result is worth 10 points. 40 points is earned by the exact score.

LAWRO'S PREMIER LEAGUE PREDICTIONS

The games start at the same time.

SUNDAY

Arsenal v Everton

After their amazing comeback from 2-0 down to beat Crystal Palace on Thursday, fans of the team are probably still getting their breath back. Some of them might just be going home.

I wouldn't be confident about their chances of staying in the top flight if they had to play at the other side of the country.

This result doesn't matter, that's the best news for the Toffees At the moment, they are not reliable, but they are at home, and they have a poor record on the road.

I think the Gunners will win, but I don't think they will make the top four.

With a game to go, Mikel Arteta's side should already have secured a spot in next season's European competition, but they have been so bad that it is not even in their hands.

They had a blip just before that and it looked like they had recovered.

I don't think it's a question of them lacking quality, they just don't have enough leaders to step up when it matters

I don't think the players will get a lot of sympathy from their fans. There is no one else to blame for the mess you have made.

Lawro's prediction was 2-1.

Brentford v Leeds

I can't see them getting it because they need a better result.

Jesse Marsch's side kept going last time out, and nicked a vital point againstBrighton in injury time, but getting anything at all at Brentford is a big ask.

This is going to be one of the best seasons in the history of the Bees and they have nothing to play for. Their highest ever position is fifth in the old First Division in 1936, and they could still make ninth this year.

Since signing in January, Christian Eriksen has given them a lot of motivation. His impact has been so large that he would almost be the player of the year.

Even though they play at 200mph, I think they will get goals on Sunday, far more than I do.

Lawro's prediction was 2-1.

Brighton v West Ham

Both of these sides have had good seasons. Manchester City had another example of a good game last weekend.

The Hammers do not have the biggest squad but it looks like they only need a couple more additions in order to challenge for the spots in the top flight next season.

They are still trying to beat their best ever league finish, which was 13th in the top-flight in 1981-82, but they are not quite at that level. I think they will do it as well.

Lawro predicted a score of 1-2.

Burnley v Newcastle

When Sean Dyche was sacked, the team started playing with freedom.

When there is no expectation or pressure on your shoulders, you can play the way you want to, but once you give yourself a chance to stay up, it's a different story.

Teams always revert to type, so it was no surprise to see them tighten up again recently. The Clarets are determined, but they have gone back to how they were playing before, which is with an element of fear.

Since the turn of the year,Newcastle have done a lot of hard work and had some good results.

The final place in the Championship could be decided until the very last game of the season.

Lawro predicted a score of 1-2.

Chelsea v Watford

Both of these clubs will be happy to see the back of the season.

The Hornets will return to the Championship, while the Blues will end the season without a trophy.

Neither club knows what the future holds. The Hornets and Blues could see a lot of ups and downs this summer.

Lawro predicted 2-0.

Crystal Palace v Man Utd

The presence of the new Manchester United manager at Selhurst Park could cause a reaction from the players. Something has to happen.

Crystal Palace have had an excellent season, and the way they play is like a breath of fresh air, but, with Ten Hag in the stands, United cannot just let their campaign peter out.

The United players are getting ready for next season. I think we will see a different side of them compared to the one that was shown last time out.

Lawro's prediction was 0-2.

Leicester v Southampton

The results of these two teams are difficult to predict because they are the most inconsistent in the league.

When Jamie Vardy is fit and in top form, I always have more faith in the Foxes because they are at home.

It has been a disappointing end to the season for Saints, who have only won one of their past 11 league games.

Even so, they have never looked like being dragged into the scrap so I don't understand why their manager is under pressure. What are they expecting him to do?

Lawro predicted 2-0.

Liverpool v Wolves

It was an impressive result for the Reds after they made nine changes from the FA Cup winning side.

The performance that stood out for me was the one after going a goal behind, which was why it was so impressive. By the end, they were on top.

The big guns will be back for the game and I can't see Wolves being a threat. They seemed to end the season a few weeks ago.

If Manchester City drop points against Villa, the Reds will not be able to win the title, but there is no chance of that happening.

No-one expects them to win the title, but they will get a great reception for winning the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Everyone knows that the chance to end a brilliant season on a high is what they will get before the final in Paris.

Lawro predicted 2-0.

Man City v Aston Villa

In the past few weeks, we have seen how good Manchester City andLiverpool are when they are behind, not just when they are in front.

Since the end of October, City have only lost once in the league. Both teams are miles ahead of everyone else.

So, if there is a goal at half-time in the game between City and the Reds, you know they are both capable of recovering from it and finding a response.

I don't see that happening. We know how good this City team is, and I fully expect them to win the title without another wobble like the one we saw at West Ham.

Lawro predicted a score of 2-0.

Norwich v Tottenham

I am aware that there is a perception that Spurs can slip up, but not this time.

I think the Canaries will give Spurs a game, but I don't think they will beat them.

Spurs have fought so hard to get into this position, where they just need a point to get back into the playoffs after two seasons away. I don't think they will fall at the final hurdle.

Lawro's prediction was 0-2.

Lawro was talking to Chris Bevan.

How did Lawro do last time?

Lawro got three correct results from eight matches last weekend for a total of 60 points.

He beat mixed martial arts legend Paul and got 40 points.

The rearranged games were played on Wednesday. Lawro picked up 40 points from the game on Tuesday and 10 points from the three games on Thursday.

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