Premier League predictions: Lawro v NBA star Mario Hezonja

Lawro's predictions

Arsenal's game with Chelsea on Saturday is a crucial game in the battle for the top four, but who will come out on top?

BBC Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "The Gunners were beaten at Stamford Bridge at the start of the season but they had a very good spell in the game when they battered the Blues.

"The Gunners have defensive issues but they showed against Tottenham before Christmas what they are capable of in big games like this.

"With the crowd behind them, it would be typical if they went out and beat Chelsea - they have definitely got enough quality in midfield and attack to win this one."

Lawro is making predictions for all 380 top-flight matches this season, against a variety of guests.

This week he is up against New York Knicks basketball star Mario Hezonja.

NBA star Hezonja predicts 'his team' Newcastle to beat Cardiff

The Croatian small forward played in Thursday's NBA London game against Washington Wizards.

Hezonja, 23, is a Newcastle fan and is backing them to beat fellow strugglers Cardiff on Saturday.

While playing for Barcelona at the start of his basketball career, Hezonja was asked if he had been to see Lionel Messi in action at the Nou Camp.

"Let Messi come to see me", was his response.

So, which NBA stars does Hezonja think are the best football players?

He told BBC Sport: "From what I've seen, Joel Embiid [of the Philadelphia 76ers] and Tony Parker [of the Charlotte Hornets]. I have to say myself too!"

Premier League predictions - week 23
ResultLawroMario
SATURDAY
Wolves v Leicester4-32-00-1
Bournemouth v West Ham2-02-10-1
Liverpool v Crystal Palace4-32-02-0
Man Utd v Brighton2-13-02-0
Newcastle v Cardiff3-02-02-1
Southampton v Everton2-11-10-0
Watford v Burnley0-00-10-0
Arsenal v Chelsea2-02-11-2
SUNDAY
Huddersfield v Man City0-30-20-2
Fulham v Tottenham1-20-20-2

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

LAWRO'S PREDICTIONS

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless stated.

SATURDAY

Wolves v Leicester

Wolves 4-3 Leicester

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Mario's prediction: 0-1

Match report

Bournemouth v West Ham

Bournemouth 2-0 West Ham

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Mario's prediction: 0-1

Match report

Liverpool v Crystal Palace

Liverpool 4-3 Crystal Palace

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Mario's prediction: 2-0

Match report

Man Utd v Brighton

Man Utd 2-1 Brighton

Lawro's prediction: 3-0

Mario's prediction: 2-0

Match report

Newcastle v Cardiff

Newcastle 3-0 Cardiff

Whether or not Magpies boss Rafa Benitez really wanted to progress in the FA Cup or not, I think their win at Blackburn on Tuesday is a big thing.

If your kids can win, like Newcastle's did, you think: 'Hold on a minute, maybe we are not that bad.'

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Mario's prediction: 2-1

Match report

Southampton v Everton

Southampton 2-1 Everton

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Mario's prediction: 0-0

Match report

Watford v Burnley

Watford 0-0 Burnley

Lawro's prediction: 0-1

Mario's prediction: 0-0

Match report

Arsenal v Chelsea

Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Mario's prediction: 1-2

Match report

SUNDAY

Huddersfield v Man City

Huddersfield 0-3 Man City

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Mario's prediction: 0-2

Match report

Fulham v Tottenham

Fulham 1-2 Tottenham

Lawro's prediction: 0-2

Mario's prediction: 0-2

Match report

How did Lawro do last time?

From last week's Premier League games, Lawro got five correct results, including two perfect scores, from 10 matches, for a total of 110 points.

He beat Strictly dancer Oti Mabuse, who got three correct results, with no exact scores, for a total of 30 points.

Total scores after week 22
Lawro1,910
Guests1,700
Lawro v Guests
P22W11D2L9
Lawro's League Table
+/- DENOTE POSITION DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAWRO'S TABLE AND ACTUAL POSITION
TEAMPWDLPTS+/-
1Man City22193060+1
2Man Utd22183157+4
=3Liverpool22139048-2
=3Tottenham221462480
5Chelsea22144446-1
=6Everton22121937+4
=6Leicester22114737+2
8Arsenal22103933-3
9Newcastle2285929+9
=10Fulham22831127+9
=10Burnley2276927+5
12Watford22821226-5
13West Ham22731224-4
=14Bournemouth22651123-2
=14Crystal Palace226511230
16Wolves22631321-5
17Southampton22521517-1
18Cardiff22351414-1
19Brighton22261412-6
20Huddersfield222416100

GUEST LEADERBOARD 2018-19

SCOREGUEST LEADERBOARD
160David Ginola
140The 1975's Ross MacDonald
120Joe Thomas
110Yatez
90Jim Glennie, Karl Pilkington, Chris Stark
87Lawro (average after 22 weeks)
80Richard Ashcroft, Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, Greg James, Mark Wahlberg
60Idris Elba, Dolph Lundgren, Mumford & Sons, Dillian Whyte
50Bring Me The Horizon, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre and Theo Ellis.
40Tom Grennan, Josh Warrington
30Oti Mabuse

Lawro's best score: 260 points (week seven v Karl Pilkington)

Lawro's worst score: 40 points (week three v Idris Elba, week eight v Chris Stark and week 12 v Mumford & Sons)

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