Prediction of Weekend Matches

Portsmouth vs Bolton: Both teams are searching for their first win of the season. Portsmouth had a good result against Man Utd at midweek. They will go into this game full of confidence knowing that Bolton has been out of sorts so far. Bolton need a good result somewhere to boost their morale but I don't think they will get it at Portsmouth.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-0
The Football Pundit says: 1-0

Birmingham vs West Ham: I thought Birmingham should have grabbed all 3 points against Sunderland on the weekend. On paper, West Ham should have no problems winning this game. They have an abundance of attacking talent. New boy Kieran Dyer will be hoping for his debut. It will be interesting to see how West Ham integrates their well known trouble makers Dyer, Bowyer and Bellamy into the team.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 1-1
The Football Pundit says: 0-1

Fulham vs Middlesbrough: Boro is having a tough time so far. They have problems in defence and upfront they seem to have difficulties finding the net. New signing Mido from Spurs should give them a good presence upfront if he does lose some weight. Fulham is on high coming to this game after winning their last.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-1
The Football Pundit says: 1-0

Reading vs Everton: I thought both these clubs have looked pretty good so far. Ok Reading have yet to win their games so far but remember they had to play Chelsea and Man Utd in their first two games. They had a great draw against Man Utd and even in the defeat at Chelsea, they looked pretty good. Everton won their first two games against two woeful teams in Spurs and West Ham. They will face a harder game this time at Reading.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 1-1
The Football Pundit says: 0-0

Tottenham vs Derby: Crisis time at Spurs? You bet. I think their performances so far have been atrocious. Martin Jol doesn't seem to get it yet - that you can't expect to win games with no width and playing players out of position. No Berbatov tonight so expect Robbie Keane to partner Bent upfront. Spurs have a big problem at the back with most of their first teamers out with injury. Derby has a poor record at Spurs so they must be hoping that Spurs continue their poor form tonight.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-0
The Football Pundit says: 3-0

Wigan vs Sunderland: Wigan will be hoping to make it two wins in a row but facing them is a tough and never say die team of Sunderland. Sunderland's ability to score at the dying minutes of their last two games is remarkable but I doubt they can do that again and again. Michael Chopra has been a revelation so far for them and I'm sure Wigan will do their best to man mark him tonight.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-1
The Football Pundit says: 0-0

Newcastle vs Aston Villa: I like the way Newcastle is playing under new boss Big Sam. I think they will surprise many this season. They got a lot of firepower now with Owen and Amoebi back. Martins looks like he is going to be the main man for them this season. He had a cracker of a game at Bolton. Villa will be without John Carew upfront. They will be hoping that pacy forwards, Young, Moore and Agbonlahor provide some problems for the much improved Newcastle backline.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 2-2
The Football Pundit says: 2-0

Man City vs Man Utd: No Rooney so Tevez will continue his lone striking role upfront. Ronaldo is suspended and that is a big blow for Man Utd. Expect to see Scholes push further to support Tevez with Giggs back in his left wing slot. I've been impressed by the Man City. They are looking rather good in all areas of the pitch. Even their young keeper, Kasper Schmeichel has looked unbeatable -just like his dad Peter when he was playing for Man Utd. Utd need to win this after drawing their first two games.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 1-2
The Football Pundit says: 1-1

Blackburn vs Arsenal: Blackburn is a hard team to beat at home. I think Bentley will play an amazing game tonight to prove to his former team Arsenal that they made a mistake in selling him and also to prove to England that they were wrong not to include him in the senior squad. Arsenal did a double over Blackburn last season.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 1-2
The Football Pundit says: 1-1

Liverpool vs Chelsea: Chelsea will lose defender Carvalho tonight so it will be interesting to see if they bring John Terry back for this game. I think that's their only "problem" tonight. Liverpool will be at their full strength. Gerrard will play despite fracturing his toe. I have not been convinced by Chelsea so far. I think they will concede goals this season and teams playing them do not see them as invincible as they were two seasons ago.

BBC Pundit Mark Lawrenson's prediction: 1-1
The Football Pundit says: 2-1

Read Mark Lawrenson's predictions for the BBC here.