Merson vs Lawrenson! Experts are head to head on their tips for the EPL weekend
Two top EPL British experts Paul Merson and Mark Lawrenson have made their predictions for Matchday 32. We’ve decided to compare their bets on some games and to see who is better? Write your tips for these games and tell us who do you trust more - Merson or Lawrenson?
Match 1: Cardiff vs Chelsea
Merson: This could be a big weekend in the race for the top four. I see Chelsea winning, they will have just too much for Cardiff, and that will leave Spurs needing to get a result at Liverpool. Some of Cardiff's home results recently have been alarming and they've come against lesser teams than Chelsea. 1-3, Chelsea.
Lawrenson: Cardiff have not played since they beat West Ham on 9 March and, at home, they always give it a go. Chelsea collapsed against Everton last time out, and I don't think Blues boss Maurizio Sarri has grasped what English football is like yet. Yes, his side had dominated in the first half at Goodison Park but they did not score. Sarri was probably not expecting Everton to come out and play as well as they did in the second half, but this is the Premier League and that is why it is different to La Liga and Serie A - here, if you don't punish teams when you are on top, there is always the chance that will happen. I would still back Chelsea to win on Sunday, though. Sarri has got a lot of quality in his side and, if they are at it in these kind of games, they tend to win. 0-2, Chelsea.
Match 2: Liverpool vs Tottenham
Merson: The pressure is going to be on Liverpool, draws are no good with Manchester City in front. It's going to be a tight, entertaining game with Liverpool needing to win adding another layer - if Liverpool are drawing with 20 minutes to go they have to go for it. But I think they will get the job done, cranking up the pressure on Spurs in the race for the top four. 2-1, Liverpool.
Lawrenson: People are still saying that Liverpool are not playing particularly well but they have not lost any of their past 10 league games and they are in a very good position. It doesn't really matter how well they play now anyway, because winning is all that matters for Jurgen Klopp's side. There is always the chance that Spurs will throw a spanner in the works of course, and last season they nicked a point at Anfield with a controversial last-gasp penalty. Tottenham's away form is still the second-best in the Premier League, even after losing their previous three games on the road, and of course they are dangerous. But Liverpool's eyes are on the prize now. They know how big this game is, and I think they will get the result they need. 2-1, Liverpool.
Match 3: Arsenal vs Newcastle
Merson: Newcastle are a dangerous side; they've been really good recently, are hard to beat and have a couple of match-winners in their team. But these are the kind of matches Arsenal finish off. If Liverpool had Arsenal's remaining fixtures they would win the league, but you just know that Arsenal won't win all of these games and that's why they are not a shoo-in for the top four. 3-1, Arsenal.
Lawrenson: Rafa Benitez has taken his Newcastle side on a great run, with only one defeat in their past six games. The Magpies are as good as safe now, and probably only need one more win to be sure of staying up, but I don't think they will get it here. While Arsenal have struggled on the road, when they are at home they play with lots of confidence. I can see this almost being a kind of routine victory for them. It is a worry the Gunners are so different on their travels, though. What that basically says is that everything is good at home when they have loads of the ball and that is the strength of the team when they are going forward - like they should be on Monday. But, when they are away, and under the cosh more, they can't seem to cope with that. They don't seem to be able to pick up points on a regular basis, and their results in Europe have been disappointing too. Unai Emery has made plenty of changes after replacing Arsene Wenger as manager but in that regard, it is still 'same old, same old Arsenal’. 2-0, Arsenal.
Match 4: Manchester United vs Watford
Merson: A United win coupled with a defeat for Spurs could really through the top four race wide open. Watford are a funny team, one minute they really impress and then, when you fancy them to be tough to beat - like at Liverpool - they get ripped apart. Who knows how the game itself will play out, Watford are inconsistent while United have lost their last two, but I think United will get the win and apply the pressure. 2-1, Man United.
Lawrenson: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was announced as permanent Manchester United manager on Thursday. Sometimes a caretaker manager comes in and does really well but you are not sure whether he should get the job full-time, but that is not the case here. Will Solskjaer keep on winning now his future is sorted out and take three points on Saturday? Yes. Hornets boss Javi Gracia rested players before his side's FA Cup quarter-final win over Crystal Palace and I think next weekend's semi-final will be on his mind here. Watford play again, against Fulham on Tuesday, before they face Wolves at Wembley but I don't think Gracia will play his best XI at Old Trafford. 2-0, Man United.
What are your, guys, predictions for the upcoming weekend? Make your bet on our website Betting Insinder and leave you comments about Merson’s and Lawrenson’s tips!
Merson’s and Lawrenson’s tips were taken from the Sky Sports and BBC Sports websites respectively.