Blasphemy! Seven clubs lock horns for the title after sir Alex Ferguson's retirement!

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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Del Boy

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

​
This week he takes on British professional boxer and Manchester United fan Dereck Chisora. Dereck is based in London and competes in the heavyweight division. He was born in Harare, Zimbabwe, and has won 20 out of his 24 matches, 13 of which were knockout wins.

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Lawro vs Manchester United fan Dereck Chisora

​
A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Newcastle - Hull
Dereck Chisora: The Magpies won't lose points again, especially at home. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I also don't think we can expect a surprise at Saint James' Park - 4-0.

Chelsea - Everton
Dereck Chisora: This will be a tough game for Chelsea. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: The Blues are in a commanding position for the title now and they won't give that up easily. 3-1.

Manchester City - Tottenham
Dereck Chisora: Big game - I believe Spurs can really take something there! 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: Spurs will be desperate to get a result but the same can be said about the hosts and they are just the better side. 3-1.

Arsenal - Manchester United
Dereck Chisora: Won't be easy but we have to win. 1-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I have been impressed with the Gunners recently and will back them for a result. 2-1.

Last week, Lawro got three results right, with no perfect scores. His score of 3 was good enough to beat the predictions of Tottenham fan Adele, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Thirty One
Lawro: 138
Guests: 112
 
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Premier League
Round 32

Saturday 19th March 2016:

​
Newcastle - Hull 6-0
Suarez (1, 26), Alvarez Balanta (4), Baines (13), Depay (42, 45+1)​
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Chelsea - Everton 5-1
Falcao (24), Joel o.g. (27), Neymar (32), Oscar (81), Thiago Alcantara (88); Jelavic (48)
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Sunday 20th March 2016:

Manchester City - Tottenham 5-1
Messi (3, pen 70), Gotze (41), Ronaldo (45), Silva (66); Lennon (64)
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Monday 21st March 2016:

Arsenal - Manchester United 0-0
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League Table:

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Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2015/16 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Manchester City - Tottenham
5-1
View attachment 411312​

Gary Lineker: The Citizens entertained Tottenham in a must-win game for both sides. Spurs couldn't afford to drop more points against the title challengers with Arsenal sniffing in their backs. But Man City got off to a dream start with an early Messi goal and Gotze and Ronaldo added two more just before the break to put the game beyond contention. Lennon pulled one back for Spurs in the second half but hopes of a comeback were short-lived, David Silva immediately restoring the three-goal lead for the hosts before Messi scored from the spot to complete an embarrassing score and underline the difference between a good team and a genuine title contender.
Alan Hansen: If anyone was expecting a close match they couldn't have been farther off - the Citizens completely dominated and limited the visitors to just two shots on target. The stars definitely picked up pace in the run in and delivered a good answer to Chelsea and Newcastle's sound victories earlier in the weekend.
Alan Shearer: It was so embarrassing for Spurs I can't decide who to pick up as most responsible for this debacle but I'll go with Yanga-Mbiwa, Vertonghen and Bertrand - they didn't know where they were and seemed terrified every time Man City entered the final third! Ronaldo picked up the PoM award for scoring one and creating two more of the home goals but there were strong performances from Kompany, Alaba, Vidal, Silva and of course Messi.
Gary Lineker: This result puts Man City on par with Newcastle and they made up what they lost in the Manchester derby - even though they are two goals short of matching the champions' goal difference. Both teams are two points off table toppers Chelsea so it's still pretty tight up there. Spurs have now surrendered 5th to arch-rivals Arsenal and the Gunners have two games in hand!
 

Gary Lineker: Good evening and welcome to Match of the Day for our thoughts on the 2015/16 Premier League season! It seems the race will be as tight as ever this time around and as we all know it is those direct 6-pointer clashes that play a decisive part in deciding who will fly and who will fall. For this reason we will be focusing solely on those giant games in Match of the Day. Stay with us as Alan Hansen and Alan Shearer aid me on analyzing the key aspects of what happened and why it happened for you!

Arsenal - Manchester United
0-0
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Gary Lineker: This glorious derby gave hosts Arsenal a wonderful chance to leapfrog bitter rivals Tottenham while putting the title hopes of other bitter rivals Man United to an end. It's little satisfaction considering the gap between the two sides was some massive 26 points but the Gunners still delivered by hanging in for a goalless draw against an injury-riddled Red Devils side stripped of Bale, Rooney and van Persie.
Alan Hansen: After watching the game at the Emirates I'd say the hosts could be disappointed with not getting all points - they were the better side and created no less than three golden opportunities while allowing none in front of their own goal. The Red Devils tried - they dominated the tackling and heading department which got them the majority of possession - but lacked quality up front and it cost them dearly.
Alan Shearer: Vermaelen was the only Arsenal player to catch the eye here, but I'll also single out El Shaarawy - he tried seven shots and could have won it for the home side but his finishing wasn't good enough. Or it was matched by a superior PoM award winner De Gea, who was incredible between the posts for Man United. Captain Vidic also helped with a commanding performance in defense.
Gary Lineker: This point allows Arsenal to finally go above Tottenham in the table but is of little use for the Red Devils who are now eight short of leaders Chelsea with just 6 games to go. Seems they will have to accept a fourth place finish this season!
 
English Title Contenders European Watch

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Quarter Final First Leg

Tuesday 29th Match 2016:

Chelsea - FC Bayern 2-0
Falcao (29, 39)
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Newcastle - Valencia 2-0
Depay (5, 18)
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Wednesday 30th March 2016:

Napoli - Paris Saint-Germain 3-0

Manchester City - Juventus 2-0
Thiago Silva (23), Ronaldo (33); Ziegler sent off (79)
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Quarter Final First Leg

Thursday 31st March 2016:

Lazio - Leverkusen 1-2

Swansea - Rubin 2-0

Arsenal - Tottenham 4-0
Wanyama (8), Candreva (44), Nkoulou (59), El Shaarawy (pen 84)
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Manchester United - Spartak Moscow 4-0
Di Maria (2, 22), Smalling (15), Kagawa (31)
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March Watch

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Premier League Table

The Contenders:

​
Chelsea (1st; 81pts; +57) - the Blues picked up 9 points and added 9 goals to their tally this month which allows them to move two points clear on top of the league - everything is in their hands now!
Player of the month: Falcao 8.40
4 Current first team injuries:
Wallace - 1-5 days (fractured ribs)
Ashley Cole - 9-12 days (groin strain)
Kevin Strootman - 1 day (groin strain)
Jeremie Boga - 1-5 days (fractured jaw)

Newcastle (2nd; 79pts; +62) - the Magpies picked up 7 points and added 9 goals to their tally this month which keeps them in second position although they are now two points behind new leaders Chelsea.
Player of the month: Memphis Depay 8.96
1 Current first team injury:
Kurt Zouma - 2-3 months (torn hamstring)

Manchester City (3rd; 79pts; +60) - the Citizens picked up 7 points and added 6 goals to their tally this month which meant they slided down to third position, two points short of the top.
Player of the month: Cristiano Ronaldo 8.00
3 Current first team injuries:
Pablo Zabaleta - 6-8 weeks (damaged achilles tendon)
David Silva - 3-4 weeks (sprained ankle)
Stevan Jovetic - 9-14 days (groin strain)

Manchester United (4th; 73pts; +51) - the Red Devils picked up 5 points and added 6 goals to their tally this month which means they remain fourth but there is an 8 point gap to the top now and the title is only a mathematical possibility.
Player of the month: David De Gea 7.56
6 Current first team injuries:
Nemanja Vidic - 1 day (gashed head)
Phil Jones - 2-3 weeks (strained ankle ligaments)
Nani - 2 months (torn hamstring)
Gareth Bale - 3-4 weeks (strained knee ligaments)
Wayne Rooney - 10-21 days (torn calf muscle)
Robin van Persie - 6-8 weeks (torn calf muscle)

Arsenal (5th; 50pts; +16) - the Gunners picked up 7 points this month and climbed above Tottenham in 5th - which is the best they can hope to achieve in the league this season - they now have 3 points lead and a game in hand over their rivals in this battle.
Player of the month: Filipe 7.82
4 Current first team injuries:
Emiliano Viviano - 3-4 weeks (strained knee ligaments)
Mattia De Sciglio - 7-11 days (groin strain)
Gael Clichy - 2 months (torn knee ligaments)
Bernard - 3 weeks (sports hernia)

Tottenham (6th; 47pts; +9) - Spurs lost all their games this month and it logically means they dropped down one position in the table - at least they have a game in hand over Stoke who are now very close!
Player of the month: Miralem Pjanic 7.54
5 Current first team injuries:
Stephan Lichtsteiner - 3-10 days (fractured ribs)
Nathaniel Clyne - 3-4 weeks (sprained ankle)
Paulinho - 1-3 days (concussion)
Miralem Pjanic - 1-2 days (bruised rib)
Giacomo Bonaventura - 4-6 weeks (torn hamstring)

Other teams to watch:​

Stoke (7th) - the Potters still appear to be the most likely challenger for Europa League qualification outside the predicted top dogs.

Blackburn (9th) - the promoted club climbed two more positions in the table and appear set to achieve top ten finish in their first season back in the top flight!

Leeds (15th) - the promoted club slided 2 positions down in the table and find themselves just 3 points above the drop zone.

Swansea, Liverpool and Crystal Palace occupy the bottom three - the former two are everything but doomed with just a single point between them and safety but Palace are now ten under and need a miracle to get out.

March Player of the Month:
Davide Santon (Newcastle)
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March Young Player of the Month:
Alberto Cerri (Aston Villa)
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March Manager of the Month:
Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)
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Leading Goalscorers:
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Mel C

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

​
This week he takes on British singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman and Liverpool fan Melanie Chisholm, professionally known as Melanie C or Mel C. She is one of the five members of the Spice Girls, in which she was nicknamed "Sporty Spice". With the Spice Girls, Chisholm toured the world and sold over 100 million records worldwide. As a solo artist, Mel C has sold more than 12 million records. She has been nominated for BRIT and ECHO awards. She currently is the female artist with the thirdmost number-one singles in the United Kingdom. Chisholm has also received critical acclaim for her starring roles in the West End production of Blood Brothers and the British arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.

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Lawro vs Liverpool fan Mel C

​
A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Manchester City - Swansea
Mel C: Can't see past City here. 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I actually think the Swans are doomed, especially after Europa League game in Thursday. 5-0.

Newcastle - Q.P.R.
Mel C: Newcastle should win this. 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson: The Magpies won't slip up at home. 4-1.

Chelsea - Cardiff
Mel C: The Blues will win, easily. 3-0.
Mark Lawrenson: Chelsea are in the driving seat now and they will enjoy it and put a show on for the home fans. 4-0.

Arsenal - Everton
Mel C: I can see a surprise at the Emirates. 1-2.
Mark Lawrenson: The Gunners are in a very good place at the moment and I wouldn't bet against them. 2-0.

Liverpool - Tottenham
Mel C: We just have to win this if we want to stay in the Premier League. 2-1.
Mark Lawrenson: It will be a struggle but given the form Spurs find themselves at I can see it ending with a draw. 1-1.

Nottingham Forest - Manchester United
Mel C: No shocks here. 1-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I actually expect the Red Devils to lose pace now that the title is out of their reach - even if they have a mathematical chance. 2-2.

Last week, Lawro got three results right, with no perfect scores. His score of 3 was good enough to beat the predictions of Manchester United fan Dereck Chisora, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Thirty Two
Lawro: 141
Guests: 113
 

Hristov signs new 1 year contract

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Rob Lee
Published at 9:11AM, April 1 2016

Newcastle United have announced that hugely successful manager Dimiter Hristov has agreed to sign a new one year contract with the club after already defending the Capital One Cup and claiming the Community Shield this season. Incredibly the length of the deal suggests the board will need to re-enter negotiations in short six months to keep the eccentric Bulgarian at the helm. Sources inside the club tell me Hristov has used his success as leverage to force new owner Olivier Bernard to establish a feeder club link in the coming month, as well as increase the wage budget by 440k pounds. The idea behind this is obviously boosting the transfer budget as transforming the free wages to money to spend equals around 22.73 million pounds - a sizable chunk. The current transfer budget sits at 83.29 million pounds and the current available payroll is now 2.49 million pounds per week. It is easy to deduct Hristov has found a great tool to bargain with new owner Olivier Bernard by forcing him to boost the finances available on a regular basis when renewing the manager's contract. This is a high-stakes game to play as getting rid of Hristov would be easy with nearly no compensation due so the Bulgarian will be a hostage to his own success!
 
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Premier League
Round 33

Saturday 2nd April 2016:

​
Newcastle - Q.P.R. 3-0
Remy (15), Januzaj (46), Alvarez Balanta (78)​
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Chelsea - Cardiff 3-0
Neymar (16, 72), Hazard (78)
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Manchester City - Swansea 5-0
Gotze (18), Ronaldo (35, 60, 66), Vidal (65)
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Sunday 3rd April 2016:

Arsenal - Everton 3-1
Walcott (1), Wilshere (79), El Shaarawy (85); Welbeck (65)
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Liverpool - Tottenham 1-1
Sinclair (7); Dragovic o.g. (30)
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Monday 4th April 2016:

Nottingham Forest - Manchester United 0-1
Hamsik (35)
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League Table:

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English Title Contenders European Watch
​
View attachment 411036

Quarter Final Second Leg

Tuesday 5th April 2016:

Paris Saint-Germain - Napoli 0-2 (0-5)

Juventus - Manchester City 2-2 (2-4)
Vucinic (13), Rondon (88); Modric (33), Messi (70)
​
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Wednesday 6th April 2016:

Valencia - Newcastle 1-1 (1-3)
Mathieu (82); Alex Sandro (36)
​
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FC Bayern - Chelsea 1-1(1-3)​
Dante (70); Hazard (16)
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View attachment 411034

Quarter Final Second Leg

Wednesday 6th April 2016:

​
Tottenham - Arsenal 2-3 (2-7)
Benzema (59), Andre Ayew (63); Cavani (8, 13, 83)​
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Thursday 7th April 2016:

Leverkusen - Lazio 1-1 (3-2)

Rubin - Swansea 1-1 (1-3)

Spartak Moscow - Manchester United 1-2 (1-6)
Ozbiliz (80); Di Maria (30), Henriquez (52)​
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Will

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

​
This week he takes on American comedian, impressionist, actor, producer, writer and Chelsea fan Will Ferrell. Ferrell established himself in the mid-1990s as a cast member of the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live and has subsequently starred in the comedy films Stranger Than Fiction, Anchorman, School, Elf. He is considered a member of the "Frat Pack", a generation of leading Hollywood comic actors who emerged in the late 1990s and the 2000s, including Jack Black, Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn and brothers Owen and Luke Wilson.

View attachment 411017
Lawro vs Chelsea fan Will Ferrell

​
A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Everton - Manchester City
Will Ferrell: This is a good place for the Citizens to drop some points. 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: At this stage I wouldn't bet against Man City. 1-3.

Swansea - Chelsea
Will Ferrell: We simply must win this game. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: The Blues are way too good for Swansea on the back of Europa League! 0-4.

Manchester United - Liverpool
Will Ferrell: This is a big derby, I expect a close game. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: Home win, and a big one. 4-0.

Southampton - Arsenal
Will Ferrell: This should be an even match and probably the Saints will prevail - 2-1.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll back the Gunners in this one, they seem to have picked up form recently. 1-2.

Aston Villa - Newcastle
Will Ferrell: The Villains beat Newcastle last season and I'll back them to get some points again. 2-2.
Mark Lawrenson: Not betting against the champions when they are desperate to win. 0-3.

Tottenham - Q.P.R.
Will Ferrell: Home win. 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I'll also back Spurs here. 3-1.

Last week, Lawro got five results right, with two perfect scores. His score of 9 was way too good for the predictions of Liverpool fan Melanie C, who scored 6, managing four correct results with one perfect score.

Total scores after Week Thirty Three
Lawro: 150
Guests: 119
 
KevinHann said:
Newcastle - Blackburn 2-1
Depay (83), Suarez (88); Bony (11)​
Click to expand...

Great comeback which should not cover the vulnerabilities we showed in this game - Blackburn were very close to beating us and would have deserved the win had they got it. Our class up front got us off the hook though and we can look forward to winning our second FA Cup in the past 3 seasons after Arsenal went off in the other semi.
 
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Premier League
Round 34

Sunday 10th April 2016:

​
Everton - Manchester City 0-3
Jagielka sent off (61); Ronaldo (2), Gotze (3), Messi (21)​
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Swansea - Chelsea 3-0
Suso (5), Scepovic (44, 56); Thiago Alcantara sent off (72)
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Monday 11th April 2016:

Manchester United - Liverpool 3-1
Di Maria (9), Hernandez (35), Hamsik (90); Matuidi (87)
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Tuesday 12th April 2016:

Southampton - Arsenal 1-1
Davis (45); Vela (75), Vermaelen sent off (82)
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Wednesday 13th April 2016:

Aston Villa - Newcastle 2-5
Snodgrass (72), Fletcher (73); Ben Arfa (18), Salvio (28, 45+1), Depay (49), Remy (77)
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Tottenham - Q.P.R. 3-0
Diego Costa (20), Balotelli (57), Kaboul (68)
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League Table:

View attachment 410982​
 
KevinHann said:
Swansea - Chelsea 3-0
Suso (5), Scepovic (44, 56); Thiago Alcantara sent off (72)​
Click to expand...

What a shock result at Liberty!! The title is ours to lose now if we can outscore Man City AND take three points at Stamford Bridge in the last round!
 
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Premier League predictions: Lawro v Jay-Z

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

​
This week he takes on American rapper, record producer, enterpreneur and Arsenal fan Shawn Corey Carter, known by his stage name Jay-Z. He is one of the most financially successful hip-hop artists in America. In 2012, Forbes estimated his net worth at nearly 500 million dollars. He has sold more than 75 million records while receiving 17 Grammy Awards for his musical work. Jay-Z also founded the sports agency Roc Nation Sports and is a certified NBA and MLB sports agent. He married American R&B singer Beyonce in 2008. They have a daughter named Blue Ivy Carter.

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Lawro vs Arsenal fan Jay-Z

​
A correct result is worth ONE point. A correct score earns THREE points.

Southampton - Newcastle
Jay-Z: I expect the champions to win this game convincingly. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: The Saints can produce a result here. 1-1.

Cardiff - Manchester City
Jay-Z: No way the Citizens will fail to win in Wales. 1-3.
Mark Lawrenson: I also expect a routine away win. 0-2.

Tottenham - Nottingham Forest
Jay-Z: Spurs? 1-1.
Mark Lawrenson: Don't think Forest will get anything at White Hart Lane. 2-0.

Hull - Chelsea
Jay-Z: Mourinho will not allow points to be dropped right now - 0-2.
Mark Lawrenson: Chelsea have enough quality to win this easily but I will look for a surprise here - 1-1.

Swansea - Arsenal
Jay-Z: I don't know what to expect of the Swans but I think we will win. 0-3.
Mark Lawrenson: Swansea had a great game against Chelsea last round and the Gunners aren't even close to that team so I'll back a home win. 2-1.

Manchester United - Crystal Palace
Jay-Z: This one will go to Man United. 2-0.
Mark Lawrenson: I also don't think Palace can pull a result at Old Trafford. 3-1.

Last week, Lawro got four results right, with no perfect scores. His score of 4 was too good for the predictions of Chelsea fan Will Ferrell, who scored 1, managing one correct result with no perfect scores.

Total scores after Week Thirty Four
Lawro: 154
Guests: 120
 
View attachment 410969
Premier League
Round 35

Saturday 16th April 2016:

​
Southampton - Newcastle 1-2
Taarabt (45); Ben Arfa (61), Depay (67)​
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Tottenham - Nottingham Forest 2-1
Higuain (60, 86); Law (54)
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Cardiff - Manchester City 0-2
Toure (2), Messi (33)
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Hull - Chelsea 0-1
Cole (pen 69)
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Sunday 17th April 2016:

Swansea - Arsenal 0-3
Wilshere (26), Cavani (45), Ozil (90+3)
View attachment 410958View attachment 410957

Monday 18th April 2016:

Manchester United - Crystal Palace 3-1
Eriksen (18), Hernandez (51, 72); Ngog (34)
View attachment 410956View attachment 410955

League Table:

View attachment 410954​
 
English Title Contenders European Watch
​
View attachment 410951

Semi Final First Leg

Tuesday 19th April 2016:

Newcastle - Chelsea 2-0
Grimm (78), Suarez (81); Hummels sent off (46)
​
View attachment 410949View attachment 410948View attachment 410947

Wednesday 20th April 2016:

Napoli - Manchester City 1-0
Dzeko (56)​
View attachment 410946View attachment 410945

View attachment 410944

Semi Final First Leg

Thursday 21st April 2016:

Manchester United - Leverkusen 3-0
Henriquez (6), Hamsik (36), Kagawa (52)
View attachment 410942View attachment 410941

Swansea - Arsenal 2-1
Chadli (25), Michu (80); Isco (23)
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​
 
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