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Lawro’s final ever prediction

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Mark Lawrenson has made his last ever set of Premier League predictions ahead of his retirement and is backing West Ham and Brighton to draw this weekend.

The Irons go into the game well aware that they still have the chance to finish sixth and qualify for the Europa League.

To do that, though, they will have to win and hope that Manchester United drop points against Crystal Palace.

The Irons will have to overcome their hoodoo against Graham Potter’s side, though, as Brighton are actually unbeaten against the Hammers since 2012.

That meeting came in the Championship and the Hammers won 6-0. Since then, though, there have been three wins for Brighton and six draws between the two sides.

And Lawro thinks that the spoils will again be shared on the final day of the season.

Writing in his column for BBC Sport, the ex-Liverpool star said: “Both of these sides have had good seasons, but especially West Ham. David Moyes’s side seem to give everyone a good game – with leaders Manchester City another example last weekend.

“As I’ve been saying all season, the Hammers do not have the biggest squad but it looks like they only need a couple more additions in order to challenge properly for the Champions League spots next time.

“Brighton are not quite at that level but they are still trying to beat their best-ever league finish, which was 13th in the top-flight in 1981-82. I think they’ll do it too.”

We’ll miss bringing you Lawro’s prediction every week.

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A journalist with 10 years' experience of working on National newspapers, now chief reporter covering the club that I've loved since I was a boy. Upton Park remains the greatest football stadium ever built.