Mark Lawrenson predicts Tottenham and Arsenal scores for penultimate fixtures
Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will be sitting in fourth place after the next round of fixtures, with the pundit backing Newcastle United to get a point against Arsenal. Thanks to their win in the North London Derby, Spurs now sit just a point behind the Gunners in fourth place heading into the […]
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Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will be sitting in fourth place after the next round of fixtures, with the pundit backing Newcastle United to get a point against Arsenal.
Thanks to their win in the North London Derby, Spurs now sit just a point behind the Gunners in fourth place heading into the final two games of the campaign.
Antonio Conte’s men welcome Burnley to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, with Spurs having the chance to go two points clear of Arsenal, who travel to St James’ Park on Monday.
Lawrenson foresees a straightforward win for the Lilywhites against the Clarets. He told BBC Sport: “Mike Jackson made a brilliant start as Burnley boss but they did not have any kind of spark when they lost at home to Aston Villa last weekend.
“They didn’t really put up much resistance, which was very unlike them. It is going to be very interesting to see how they react here, and whether they can make life difficult for Tottenham.
“Spurs’ top-four hopes are still not in their own hands but they are very much alive after their win over Arsenal on Thursday and I think they will put in another big performance here.
“Whatever happens, Burnley are going to be watching anxiously when Leeds play Brighton a little later on Sunday.”
Prediction: 3-0
However, Lawrenson believes Arsenal will not be able to respond in kind when they travel to St James’ Park on Monday.
He backed the Magpies to get a 1-1 draw in their final home game of the season, thus giving Spurs the advantage in the race for Champions League qualification.
Lawrenson said regarding Arsenal’s clash against Eddie Howe’s side: “Arsenal endured a horrible night in Thursday’s north London derby, but they cannot afford to dwell on what went wrong for them against Spurs.
“It’s typical Arsenal, really, because they always seem to get themselves in a good position but whenever something goes against them, they just seem to collapse. At times this season, it has looked like they have become stronger mentally – but they haven’t.
“They are under pressure now, too. If Spurs beat Burnley on Sunday, and I think they will, then Arsenal will have to win at St James’ Park or fourth place will be out of their hands on the final day of the season.
“We know Tottenham have a record of messing up too, but they play bottom side Norwich on the final day and Arsenal obviously do not want to be relying on the Canaries to do them a favour. That might be the scenario the Gunners are facing, though.
“We all know how much Newcastle have improved in the past few months, and they have been very strong at St James’ Park. Beating them there is a very big ask.”
Prediction: 1-1.
Spurs Web Opinion
I expect us to beat Burnley and Norwich while I also think Arsenal will overcome Everton at the Emirates Stadium in their final game of the season. So, I believe that the race for fourth place will be decided by the result of Arsenal’s clash against Newcastle on Monday.
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