Premier League and Carabao Cup final predictions: Lawro v Feeder bassist & Chelsea fan Taka

Will the Blues try to win the Carabao Cup without Romelu Lukaku, or will they try to win it without him?

After making only seven touches in Saturday's win at Crystal Palace, the forward was rested for Tuesday's win over Lille.

With the Blues boss saying that the Belgian was tired and taking him out of the firing line, will he be back in the side?

Mark Lawrenson, a football expert with the British Broadcasting Corporation, said that the service that Romelu Lukaku is getting isn't great.

kaku wants the ball from wide areas so he can get chances in front of goal He is brilliant when he has defenders around him, but he needs to be a bit more side on when he gets it.

If they put some good crosses in, that would make a big difference. Being a defender against him, you would be happy to let him have the ball, because he only plays in front of you. That is making it difficult for him.

Lawro is making predictions for all the top-flight matches this season against a variety of guests.

Taka is a Feeder bassist and a fan of Chelsea.

They start a UK tour in April after the release of their 11th album.

Taka is somewhat envious of the attacking talent of the other teams.

Taka thought that Romelu Lukaku was the proper forward for us, but it hasn't worked out that way.

I think they have to work harder. It is as if the team decided that he was in the wrong position and didn't pass the ball to him.

When they attack, they all come forward together and it is great to watch. It will be difficult to stop them.

There are lots of positives for the club at the moment, as we have lots of good youngsters and Tuchel is a great manager. The other thing we need to improve is our consistency, and I'm sure they just need time to sort the situation out.

We are an exciting team when we play well. We need to be able to put in a steady and solid performance when we are not at our best.

We haven't been able to do that often this season, which is why we're not in the title race anymore.

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

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS

Unless otherwise stated, the games start at sundown.

FRIDAY

Southampton v Norwich (20:00 GMT)

I was impressed by the Canaries when they lost at Liverpool last weekend, but they are back at the bottom of the table.

Dean Smith's side showed a lot of spirit and carried the fight to the other side. A lot of teams lie down and wait to be beaten at Anfield.

This is a tough trip for the Canaries because they have only lost once all season at St Mary's and they are on a good run.

Lawro predicted 2-0.

The prediction was that the two teams played well against each other. I am going for a draw. It was a one-sided affair.

SATURDAY

Leeds v Tottenham (12:30 GMT)

Both sides had poor results. I expected the one coming because of their injuries and the fact they were going to Anfield, but I was surprised by the defeat of Spurs.

Spurs have lost four of their past five league games and it was typical for them to lose on a wet and windy Wednesday at Turf Moor, just a day after they beat Manchester City.

There are bigger problems for Leeds. They don't have a Plan B because they can't play the way they do againstLiverpool and expect to get away with it.

I expect a response from Spurs, but I don't think they can do anything differently with Patrick and Kalvin still out injured.

Lawro's prediction was 0-2.

Taka predicts that I live in Yorkshire and my neighbour is a big fan of the team. I feel like I have to support my local team because they have not been doing very well recently. 2-1

Brentford v Newcastle

Brentford have taken only one point from their past seven games and will be overtaken by a rejuvenated Newcastle if they lose to them on Saturday.

I think this scenario might bring a big performance out of the Bees, since you would go with the Magpies to do that. This is a huge game for their season and their fans will have a part to play. Their hunger could make a difference.

The past six games have yielded 12 points, more than the 19 they had in the previous 19 games. The nature of the Premier League means that when their levels drop, they will probably be beaten.

Lawro's prediction was 2-1.

Taka predicts that at the moment,Newcastle are heading upwards. The team is going in the opposite direction. 0-1

Brighton v Aston Villa

Both of these sides lost at home last weekend, with the exception of Villa, who lost toWatford.

I think the midweek trip to Old United was a factor in the game against the Clarets. They played most of the second half with 10 men and Lewis Dunk was suspended.

Villa's recent problems have been in front of the goal. They have not scored in either of their last two games. The side has lost their winning formula, with only one victory in the past eight games.

They only need one win to get back on track, but they might have to wait a little longer because they are the draw specialists.

Lawro predicted a score of 1-2.

Taka thinks Villa will edge it. 1-2

Crystal Palace v Burnley

The form of Crystal Palace was similar to that of Villa until the Eagles went toWatford and won.

I was not worried about Palace. Like Villa, their performances were not being matched by their results and it felt like what we saw at Vicarage Road was coming.

The game is going to be interesting because of the fact that Burnley are on the up. A point is a decent return for Sean Dyche's side, as they have won their last two games.

I think they will get that as well to keep their run going.

Lawro predicted a score of 1-2.

Taka predicted that Palace were unlucky against Chelsea last weekend. They will win if they play like that again. 2-0.

Man Utd v Watford

The end of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Manchester United manager was caused by the fact that these sides met in November.

There are still issues with United three months later. They put in a poor performance against Atleti Madrid in the European competition on Wednesday, but still got away with a draw. They seem to have a knack of getting a result without playing well, but I still think they need a really convincing performance soon.

We know what Roy Hodgson will do, concede possession but try to make his side hard to break down and leave little space for the United attackers to operate in, then attack on the break.

It worked very well on his last three visits to Old United. He won twice and drew the other time, but it will be hard for them to duplicate those results. I don't think they are holding out.

Lawro predicted a score of 2-0.

Taka predicts that the game will end in a draw. The points are at stake, and United are up and down. It was a one-sided affair.

Everton v Man City (17:30 GMT)

It is already very real thatEverton's worries are very real. By the time this game kicks off, the Toffees will be in the bottom three for the first time this season.

When you are a team in the bottom half of the table, and you need a different mentality from your players to deal with it, it doesn't matter how good you are. Some are not able to.

It is defensively where the problems are. They are porous, and a team like Manchester City will take full advantage of that.

I don't think they will keep City out, but Frank Lampard can try packing his defence, I suppose.

Lawro predicted 0-3.

I don't understand whyEverton have done so badly this season, but I really want them to do well under the new management. He is always referred to as "Super Frank" by us. They will not get anything out of City. 1-2

SUNDAY

West Ham v Wolves (14:00 GMT)

West Ham have had a week off and will benefit from Wolves playing on Thursday, which will help them prepare for this.

The Hammers need a win too. If they want to maintain their challenge for fourth place, they have to keep their points this weekend.

Lawro's prediction was 2-1.

Taka thinks that he has enjoyed watching both teams this season, they both have lots of exciting players. 2-2.

Chelsea v Liverpool (Carabao Cup final, 16:30 GMT)

I think this game is going to go the distance. I wonder if this final will be settled in the same way that the quarter-finals were, because of the history of the keeper making saves in penalty shootouts.

It will be very close. Even though their form is not great, they will make sure of that. They are still solid despite carrying less attacking threat.

The Reds are on a nine-game winning streak and have scored a lot of goals, but they might have to be patient at Wembley as they try to break the Blues down.

Lawro predicted that the Reds would win on penalties after extra time.

This is a final, and Taka predicts thatLiverpool have been playing well. The best team doesn't always win, and you don't know what will happen on the day. Look at the final of the European club competition last season. It will be a close game, but I hope that Chelsea will win. 2-1

• Quiz: How will you get on in our Carabao Cup final special?

Lawro and Taka were talking to Chris Bevan.

How did Lawro do last time?

Lawro got four correct results from 10 games last weekend for a total of 40 points.

He was beaten by a musician who got five correct results and two exact scores, giving him a total of over 100 points.

Lawro and his guests made predictions about the rearranged games.

Now that the games have been completed, Jelani Blackman takes the overall victory as well as 40 points for an exact score at Turf Moor.

TJ from the jazz band Ezra Collective added another 40 points to his total, while brother Femi earned 10 points, because of the big win for the Eagles.

TJ now has 150 points, Lawro has 90 and Femi 50, with two more rearranged games still to be played.

The guests from Tears for Fears and Lawro all picked up 10 points.

Lawro leads the way with 70 points so far, followed by Roland and Curt with 40 each.

The singer James Arthur has to settle for 10 points, while Lawro takes 40.

Lawro is going to get at least a draw with two more games to be played. He has more points than Arthur.

GUEST LEADERBOARD 2021-22

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