Premier League predictions: Lawro v boxer & Man Utd fan Anthony Crolla - BBC Sport
BBC football expert Mark Lawrenson takes on boxer and Manchester United fan Anthony Crolla in this week's Premier League predictions.
Last updated on .From the section Football

BBC 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 boxer Anthony Crolla.

Crolla, who is looking to regain his WBA lightweight title when he fights Jorge Linares in Manchester on 25 March, is a Manchester United fan who says his all-time favourite player is Eric Cantona.

"Growing up, I absolutely idolised 'The King' and everything he did," Crolla told BBC Sport. "When I played at school, my collar would always be up like Eric's. Before any boxer, he was my first childhood hero.

"As I got older I was a big Paul Scholes fan as well - I think he is appreciated more now than he was back in the day - but Cantona is still the greatest."

United striker Wayne Rooney is well known for his love of boxing but how does Crolla think the England captain would do in a bout with team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic?

"It is hard to go against Zlatan but I might do here," Crolla explained. "I know Zlatan is big into mixed martial arts and would have a bit of height and reach on Wayne, but he would not be able to use his feet.

"It would be a great fight because the pair of them have got great attributes for being a boxer, but I've seen Wayne hit the pads first-hand and, honestly, he can punch.

"Wayne comes from a boxing background too so I would go with him. I know he can box a bit."

You can make your Premier League predictions now and compare them with those of Lawro and other fans by playing the BBC Sport Predictor game.

A correct result (picking a win, draw or defeat) is worth 10 points. The exact score earns 40 points.

All kick-offs 15:00 GMT unless otherwise stated.

Crolla's prediction: This is a tough away game for Arsenal. I think they are feeling the pressure lately so I'm going for a bit of an upset here. 1-0

*Does not include scores from postponed games.

Lawro's worst score: 20 points (week 28, but only five games played so far) or 30 points (week four v Dave Bautista)

How did Lawro do last week?

Lawro picked the correct winners of all four of last weekend's FA Cup quarter-finals and was spot on with the scoreline of Manchester City's win over Middlesbrough, giving him a total of 70 points.

Lawro was up against Sophie Rose from Chelsea supporter channel CFC Fan TV and Manchester United followers Adam McKola and Stephen Howson from Full Time DEVILS.

He came out on top because Sophie got four correct results with no perfect scores for 40 points, while the Full Time DEVILS picked three correct results with no perfect scores, giving them 30 points.

Lawro was also up against Sophie and the Full Time DEVILS for the weekend's five Premier League games, including Manchester City's draw with Stoke which was rearranged to midweek.

Lawro got two correct results, with no perfect scores, for a total of 20 points.

As things stand, he is ahead of Sophie (one correct result, no perfect scores = 10 points) but behind the Full Time DEVILS (three correct results, no perfect scores = 30 points) but their full tally will not be known until the games postponed because of the FA Cup are played.