“After the stick I’ve been getting from West Ham fans over my predictions, I should probably go for them to win 8-0.”
“In the past few seasons I have annoyed Southampton and Swansea fans by tipping them to lose, but I have never had supporters chanting my name over a prediction before, like the Hammers fans were doing at the end of their win at Bournemouth on Tuesday.”
“It is all good fun, and I am really pleased they have continued to prove me wrong.”
“I thought their results would fall away after their good start, much like they did under Sam Allardyce last season, but they have picked up after a wobble where they did not win for eight games from the end of October.”
“I thought they would slip down the table but instead they have won their past four games in the league and FA Cup, and I have to take my hat off to them.”
“Newcastle were a bit unlucky not to get a draw at Watford in the FA Cup and stuck at it to pick up a point against Manchester United on Tuesday, so it seems Magpies boss Steve McClaren has found a way to get a response from his players after their poor form over Christmas.”
“Taking all of that into consideration, probably the only way I can upset anybody this time is by saying it is going to be a draw, so that is what I’m going for.”
Lawro’s prediction: 1-1