Mark Lawrenson’s FA Cup semi final and Premier League score predictions are out ahead of another busy schedule over the Easter period.
The former Preston, Brighton, Liverpool and Ireland footballer, turned Oxford and Peterborough manager, now a BBC Sport ‘football expert’, states who he’s backing to advance through to book a place in the final.
Lawro along with Def Leppard frontman & Sheffield United fan Joe Elliott has now given their FA Cup predictions for the matches taking place over the next few days, take a look at what they went with…
Tottenham v Brighton
Brighton got a brilliant win at Arsenal last weekend, but it is hard to see a repeat of that result on their return to north London, because Tottenham are absolutely flying at the moment.
Spurs have won their past four games and with the Gunners, Manchester United and West Ham all dropping points recently, they are now in a strong position in the race for fourth place.
A couple more wins, and they could be even further ahead. They will know that, and that should keep them focused.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Joe’s prediction: Tottenham are on a real upswing in form. I’m a huge fan of Son Heung-min – he has got to be one of the greatest players in the Premier League right now and he is a joy to watch because he loves playing, and you can tell. He and Harry Kane always know where each other are – they are almost telepathic, it’s like watching two bats. 3-0
Man Utd v Norwich
Norwich are hanging on in there aren’t they? They have not thrown in the towel yet, and showed it with their win over Burnley last weekend.
There has been plenty of talk that Ajax boss Erik ten Hag is about to become Manchester United’s next manager but, for the time being, Ralf Rangnick is still interim boss and it is not working for them.
That arrangement can work – Guus Hiddink showed that when he had four months with Chelsea and won the FA Cup in 2009 – but the Blues had a strong and united dressing room to help to run the team the right way, which United clearly don’t have.
They should still beat Norwich, of course, but too many of their players seem to be thinking ‘does it really matter?’ right now, and that won’t change until the new manager arrives.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Joe’s prediction: This is obviously far from being the greatest season Manchester United have ever had, but I still can’t see Norwich getting much joy at Old Trafford. 2-0
Southampton v Arsenal
Southampton have lost five of their past six games in all competitions but, with three defeats out of four, Arsenal are having a wobble as well.
The Gunners are without Thomas Partey as well as Kieran Tierney and they are really missing the pair of them. I don’t look at them and think they are going to go to St Mary’s and win.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Joe’s prediction: Southampton is the game I look forward to watching most on Match of the Day because it seems as if they either always concede six goals, or James Ward-Prowse scores another worldy. Arsenal have taken a bit of a battering recently but I think we might see a reaction from there here. 0-1
Watford v Brentford
Brentford are on a roll now, with four wins out of their past five games.
I don’t know what is going to happen with Christian Eriksen because I am reading how all sorts of teams want to buy him in the summer, but he has arguably been the signing of the season and I’d love it if the Bees could find a way to keep him.
Watford, in contrast, have lost four of their past five games. Usually, when you look at teams trying to stay up, you point to their home form being crucial but the Hornets have a dreadful record at Vicarage Road, and I don’t think it will improve on Saturday.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-2
Joe’s prediction: Apologies to [Hornets fan] Elton John, but Watford are done this season. Brentford have got momentum, and they have got Eriksen too. 0-1
Man City v Liverpool (FA Cup)
I make Liverpool slight favourites here, because they are fresher.
City had to travel to Spain in midweek, they had a gruelling game against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and picked up a couple of injuries while, on the same night, Jurgen Klopp could leave out a lot of his big-hitters out against Benfica.
Because of that, I’m expecting City to make some changes from what is, arguably, their best team but Liverpool to be a strong as they can be – and that swings the tie for me.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-2
Joe’s prediction: Wow! Seeing these two play is becoming a permanent fixture – it’s like Adele at the O2, night after night after night.
You need a wafer-thin piece of paper to separate them because there is nothing between them at the moment – they have slightly contrasting styles but they both work brilliantly. That game on Sunday was the most awesome advert for English football that you will ever see – it was stunning stuff.
If anything, Liverpool look a bit more frantic in defence when they try to play out from the back and I always think City are well capable of pouncing on any slight mistake, but if Mohamed Salah is on form and Diogo Jota plays well, Liverpool can do the same thing.
There has to be a winner but I think it is going to the distance, although it helps Liverpool that they had the easier European game on Wednesday night. 1-1 AET – Liverpool to win on penalties
Newcastle v Leicester
I was getting a bit worried about Newcastle last week because their form had slumped, but they improved against Wolves and got the win as well.
Before then, the Magpies had lost three in a row but all three of those defeats were away from home and I’d expect them to be better at St James’ Park.
I’m backing them here too, although Leicester are so up and down it makes predicting their results very difficult.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-1
Joe’s prediction: This is a tricky one. Newcastle are probably safe now unless something completely ridiculous happens – like it did when we went down on the final day of the 1993-94 season.
I remember we were something like 14th at 4.15pm but half an hour later, Glenn Hoddle headed the ball for the first time in his life and flicked it on for Mark Stein to score a last-minute winner for Chelsea, and we went down.
A point here just gets the Magpies closer to being sure of staying up and they are capable of getting it. 1-1
West Ham v Burnley
Burnley’s result at Norwich last weekend was as bad as their result over Everton a couple of days before was good.
I expected the Clarets to kick on after beating the Toffees but to follow up a huge win like that by going to the bottom side and losing is a big set-back. I know Maxwel Cornet missed a big chance to equalise at 1-0, but I thought Norwich were comfortable.
What might help Sean Dyche’s side here, is that West Ham have a huge Europa League game on Thursday night – they have a small squad and that is the game where David Moyes will pick his strongest team. Even so, I don’t see the Hammers losing this one at home.
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1
Joe’s prediction: Who is wearing claret and blue here then!? West Ham have been fantastic all season, and if Michail Antonio plays well he is a match-winner. Sadly for Burnley, they seem to be lacking their usual end-of-season spark. Maybe it is just one year too far for them in the top flight. 2-0
Chelsea v Crystal Palace (FA Cup)
Chelsea played so, so well on Tuesday against Real Madrid but still went out of the Champions League.
That performance told us a lot about the mentality of Thomas Tuchel’s side, though, and it helps them that things seem to be settling down in terms of what is happening to Chelsea off the pitch.
They have got over the shock of the club being put up for sale and their futures being uncertain, and you just know they will be up for this tie after losing their European crown.
Crystal Palace are a talented and very energetic side, but their young players will need to handle the occasion at Wembley as well as deal with Chelsea. It’s a big ask.
I think Tuchel will find a way to keep Palace’s front three quiet and, as we saw from the chances they created against Real, Chelsea look very dangerous when they come forward. I have a feeling they will get the job done.
Lawro’s prediction: 2-0
Joe’s prediction: Chelsea are brilliant one minute, then they lose 4-1 at home to Brentford the next. I think they will give everything and get through this one though, because it’s their last hope of a trophy.
I love Patrick Vieira and I think he is going to be a brilliant manager, but Palace are still finding their feet. 2-0
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