Weekend Preview

Welcome folks to Lawrenson's... I mean Vance's predictions column for the Premier League

Arsenal v Birmingham
Lawro's gone for the Arse, and although they have a good few players missing, I'll have to agree with the genius himself. Birmingham are looking a bit better under McLeish but they are still short on quality. Long odds bet - Djourou, if fit, to score an own goal for Brum.

Aston Villa v Reading
Villa blow hot and cold, and have yet to add quality in the transfer window but they'll score here against a fragile Reading defence, especially as they are missing Bikey, but with Doyle, Kitson and Hunt they could get a few too. Lawro says a Villa win, I'll go a 2-2 draw

Chelsea v Tottenham
Spurs were close to beating Arsenal's reserve team, but I wouldn't hold out much hope for Spurs if Anelka plays. Common sense says it is a good time to play Chelsea, but Spurs are too brittle mentally as yet. Chelsea win, 2-1, Lawro says draw.

Derby v Wigan
Derby won't win this, Bruce has done well with Wigan so far, a 0-0 looks likely. Lawro plumps for Derby.

Everton v Man City
This has draw written all over it from two teams never afraid to be pragmatic. Everton will find it hard to break down City's mean defence, whilst Elano & Petrov have lost some sparkle. 0-0 - Lawro disagrees again and says Everton to win.

Man Utd v Newcastle
Dear Bookmaker,
I bet 1 mortgage on Man Utd to win,
Yours thankfully,
Mark & Lawro

Middlesbrough v Liverpool
It's all set up for Boro to cause another upset but, like Lawro, I fancy the 'Pool to come out of their torpor and scrape a win

West Ham v Fulham
Poor home record vs Poor away record = draw. Lawro goes for the Hammers but he can't have seen their miserable performance at home to Reading on St Stephen's Day

Bolton v Blackburn
Hardly a thriller in prospect but I think Blackburn will come out of their slump, especially as Anelka has hit the road, Blackburn to win, Lawro reckons a draw

Sunderland v Portsmouth
Sunderland are terrible, and I can't see it changing in this match. Their only hope is Pompey will be destabilised by the African Nations but it's a long shot. Away win, Lawro disagrees again and says a draw!

So, the battle is on, I feel fully confident that I will do better than any of JJ's predictions

Mark,
Okey Doke Football Podcast is available every Friday morning, subscribe here: http://feeds.feedburner.com/OkeyDokeFootball

Podcast this week

Hi Folks,
Mark here.

Just a quick blog on the podcast this week, we're aiming to have it online Saturday evening, myself and JJ have awkward schedules this week, and the season is over anyway, so we're practically lying on a beach, telling our agents: "They're taking the piss!", and discussing upcoming roasting sessions. Which is a long way about of saying - we're in summer mode, we're flexible and the podcast will be popping up erratically for a few weeks.

We'll be discussing our hatred of Mark Lawrenson, so please send in any bile in case we miss it ( comments@okeydokefootball.com ), Pub Talk on who has gone where and why, the Euro 2008 qualifying results, and... a surprise

Cheers,
Mark
http://www.okeydokefootball.com