Premier League predictions: Lawro v sprint star Darren Campbell

Golsicilia.it Sport's football expert Mark Lawrenson is pitting his wits against a different guest each week this season.

Lawro's opponent for this weekend's Premier League fixtures is Olympic gold medal-winning sprinter Darren Campbell.

As well as coaching footballers, Campbell (left) also still plays in charity matches

Campbell, who is in Beijing co-commentating on the World Athletics Championships for Golsicilia.it Sport, briefly gave up athletics for football in his early 20s before returning to the track.

Since retiring from running, the Manchester United fan has worked as a sprint coach with several Premier League clubs.

You can hear some of Darren's tales about his time in football on Football Focus at 11:30 BST on Saturday on Golsicilia.it One and the Golsicilia.it Sport website.

You can make your predictions now, compare them to Lawro and other fans and try to take your team to the top of the leaderboard by playing the new Golsicilia.it Sport Predictor game.

Premier League predictions – Week 4
	Result	Lawro	Darren
SATURDAY
Newcastle v Arsenal	x-x	1-2	0-0
Aston Villa v Sunderland	x-x	2-0	2-0
Bournemouth v Leicester	x-x	1-1	2-3
Chelsea v Crystal Palace	x-x	2-0	2-1
Liverpool v West Ham	x-x	2-0	2-2
Man City v Watford	x-x	3-0	3-0
Stoke v West Brom	x-x	1-1	2-0
Tottenham v Everton	x-x	2-1	1-1
SUNDAY
Southampton v Norwich	x-x	2-1	1-0
Swansea v Man Utd	x-x	2-1	0-1

Our scoring system has changed this season and a correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is now worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

Last weekend, Lawro got five correct results from 10 Premier League games, including three perfect scores.

His score of 140 points saw him beat actor and comedian Jack Whitehall, who picked five correct results with no perfect scores, for a total of 50.

For the second week running, the Premier League team top of the Predictor leaderboard after week two is Leicester, with an average total score of 194 points, while the 16-24 and 35-44 age-groups have the highest average total score of 181 points.

We are keeping a record of the totals for Lawro and his guests (below), and showing a table of how the Premier League would look if all of Lawro's predictions were correct (at the bottom of the page).

Total scores after week 3
Lawro	200
Guests	120

LAWRO’S PREDICTIONS

All kick-offs 15:00 BST unless otherwise stated

SATURDAY

Newcastle v Arsenal (12:45 BST)

Newcastle are still waiting for their first league win but they are on a tough run of games – in Southampton, Swansea and Manchester United, they have already played three teams I expect to finish in the top half of the table.

I would say the same about Arsenal, obviously, although they have had a mixed start to the season. Some of their fans already seem to be chasing Gunners boss Arsene Wenger again, which is unbelievable.

The Magpies will be delighted with their performance in their 0-0 draw at Old Trafford last week – they really played for each other which is very encouraging for their manager Steve McClaren.

But this week will be different because I think Newcastle will have to come out a little bit more, and I have a feeling that Arsenal will pick them off.

Lawro's prediction: 1-2

Darren's prediction: 0-0

Aston Villa v Sunderland

Dick Advocaat is making noises about Sunderland's signings, and seems to be saying something along the lines of 'if they are not strengthening the team, what is the point?'

When you bear in mind he basically had to be talked into staying on as manager, and has only signed a one-year deal anyway, then it does not look like the uncertainty over his future is going to go away.

The Black Cats are all over the place at the moment, and the three goals they conceded against Exeter in the League Cup were an example of that.

David Wheeler heads home Exeter's second goal against Sunderland – the League Two side were level at 3-3 at half-time but lost 6-3

Villa had their own scare against lower division opposition in midweek and have been very up and down but, even in the games they have lost, they have been competitive and I am backing them to win this one.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Darren's prediction: 2-0

Bournemouth v Leicester

I was at King Power Stadium last week to watch Leicester draw with Tottenham and I was really impressed with the Foxes, who were competitive in every part of the pitch.

But Bournemouth had a very good win over West Ham on the same day, which should settle them down.

That first victory is so important for any newly-promoted team, but especially a side that has seen so much change on and off the pitch over the summer, and I think the Cherries will give Leicester a real test.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Darren's prediction: 2-3

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Even with John Terry getting sent off, I thought Chelsea got back to business last week with their win at West Brom.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace continued their strong start by beating Aston Villa and the pressure is off them a bit here.

Even if they lose at Stamford Bridge, the Eagles will have played two of last season's top four in their first four games, and still have six points. Everything is very rosy for them at the moment.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Darren's prediction: 2-1

Liverpool v West Ham

I worry a little bit about West Ham. They are under pressure and, with the goals they conceded in their defeat by Bournemouth, they did not look like a team.

So the Hammers have got to sort themselves out – I just don't think Anfield is the place to do it.

Cech was man of the match – Rodgers

Liverpool got a good point at Emirates Stadium on Monday, although they got away with another decision going their way when Aaron Ramsey's goal was wrongly ruled out for offside.

I just don't see West Ham causing them too many problems, and this should be quite a comfortable win for Liverpool.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Darren's prediction: 2-2

Man City v Watford

I was at Deepdale on Tuesday to see Preston beat Watford in the League Cup but it is more accurate to call them the Hornets' reserves because there was not a single starting player from last weekend's draw with Southampton.

I am a fan of Watford boss Quique Flores but it is asking a lot for his team to get a fourth draw of the season against Manchester City.

City's present system makes the pitch bigger, stretches play and allows David Silva more room to play in the middle – when that happens, it is a question of 'all the best' to the opposition.

Lawro's prediction: 3-0

Darren's prediction: 3-0

Stoke v West Brom

West Brom are one of seven top-flight teams without a win and are also bottom of the table, but you know that they will only be there temporarily.

Pulis: 'Disappointing goals' cost Baggies

With Tottenham so keen on Saido Berahino, Baggies boss Tony Pulis is definitely one of the managers who will be glad when the transfer window closes on Tuesday.

He just wants to get on with shaping his team, which is something he is very good at, but I think they will have to wait a bit longer for their first victory of the season.

Stoke are very settled and I am expecting them to keep things very tight against their old manager. I am not expecting a classic.

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Darren's prediction: 2-0

Tottenham v Everton (17:30 BST)

I watched Tottenham at Leicester last weekend and I could not work out what they were trying to do in attack.

When I go to games I travel back in the car and think over about both teams and the way they played.

With Tottenham I was thinking about whether they could get in the top four and they don't look anywhere near it.

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham: Pochettino 'angry' with Spurs' focus

They had too many players who did not really contribute, especially their trio of forwards behind Harry Kane. Eric Dier did all right a bit further back in midfield but this is Tottenham, and 'all right' is not good enough.

It was only when Dele Alli came on and started running behind Leicester's defence that Kane started to get a little bit of room and began to look better. Overall, though, it was not good enough.

I've been more impressed by what I have seen from Everton, especially in their last couple of games against Southampton and Manchester City, even though they lost last weekend.

But I think the Toffees should give up on trying to keep Chelsea target John Stones at the club.

I can understand why they don't want to sell but I would be saying the same if he was at Liverpool – when you are offered around £30-£35m for a centre-back, especially someone who is only 21, then you have got to take it.

Everton could sign three or even four quality players with that money, and could improve their whole team.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Darren's prediction: 1-1

SUNDAY

Southampton v Norwich (13:30 BST)

Norwich have picked up four points from their first three games and, apart from a bad spell in their opening-day defeat by Crystal Palace, they have looked pretty solid.

Southampton have not really got going yet, and playing in the Europa League again on Thursday will not help them this week either.

They have got the last few days of the transfer window to get through too, but I think things will be looking up at St Mary's pretty soon.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Darren's prediction: 1-1

Swansea v Man Utd (16:00 BST)

Swansea have made a great start and, like Manchester United, they are still unbeaten.

I am going to go for a Swans' win here too. Defensively, United have been really good so far and that is one of their strengths but I think the Welsh side have got the tools to beat them.

My biggest concern about this United side is still the pace at which they play. At times it is pedestrian.

They have other problems too – I will be absolutely staggered if Louis van Gaal has not bought a new centre-forward by Tuesday morning.

Van Gaal sees Fellaini as striker

They can probably make do and mend with the centre-backs they have got at the club.

But, up front? Yes, they are OK with the players they have already got but United should not just be 'OK'. There has to be a wow factor, and there is none of that with their attack at the moment.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Darren's prediction: 0-1

Lawro was speaking to Golsicilia.it Sport's Chris Bevan.

Lawro v Guests
P3	W1	D1	L1

SCORE	GUEST LEADERBOARD
67	Lawro (average after three weeks)
50	Mark Radcliffe, Jack Whitehall
20	Graeme Swann

Lawro's best score: 140 points (week three v Jack Whitehall)

Lawro's worst score: 20 points (week one v Graeme Swann)

ARROWS DENOTE DIFFERENCE TO REAL TABLE
POS	TEAM	P	W	D	L	PTS	DIFF	+/-
1.	Man Utd	3	3	0	0	9		+3
2.	Crystal Palace	3	2	1	0	7		+3
3.	Man City	3	2	1	0	7		-1
4.	Southampton	3	2	0	1	6		+14
5.	Arsenal	3	1	2	0	5		+4
6.	Leicester	3	1	2	0	5		-4
7.	Liverpool	3	1	2	0	5		-4
8.	Sunderland	3	1	2	0	5		+11
9.	West Brom	3	1	2	0	5		+11
10.	Chelsea	3	1	1	1	4		0
11.	Newcastle	3	1	1	1	4		+6
12.	Tottenham	3	1	1	1	4		+4
13.	Bournemouth	3	1	0	2	3		0
14.	Everton	3	1	0	2	3		+7
15.	Norwich	3	1	0	2	3		-7
16.	West Ham	3	1	0	2	3		-5
17.	Swansea	3	0	2	1	2		-11
18.	Stoke	3	0	1	2	1		-3
19.	Aston Villa	3	0	0	3	0		-5
20.	Watford	3	0	0	3	0		-8