Mark Lawrenson predicts result of West Brom v Man Utd, backs Albion to show desire
Just like every game that comes around for West Brom at the moment their next clash looks like a must-win.
Last weekend’s defeat at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ensured the Baggies are still 11 points behind Burnley who occupy the final survival slot in the Premier League table.
Albion host Manchester United this Sunday without a win in their last five games while the visitors sit second and have lost just once in the league since November 1.
In his weekly Premier League predictions for the BBC website Lawrenson has backed the visitors to show their class, saying: “Manchester United got through their FA Cup tie with West Ham, eventually, but they will still be rueing Everton’s last-gasp goal last weekend, which cost them two points.
“I cannot see Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side slipping up at The Hawthorns, though. West Brom will give everything, but effort alone won’t be enough.”
The BBC pundit has backed Manchester United to come away from the West Midlands with a 2-0 victory.
No arguments here, Lawro
It is hard to argue with Lawro’s prediction given our rotten run of form of late and to be honest, throughout the whole season.
Things weren’t great under Slaven Bilic yet we at least showed some heart and desire.
That does make one of Lawrenson’s predictions appear rather peculiar.
He says Albion will ‘give everything’ on Sunday but we are yet to see much evidence of this team playing for Sam Allardyce as he has in fact regressed the side since his December appointment.
Lawrenson has actually done us a favour by calling only two Manchester United goals – in ten league games under Big Sam’s stewardship we have shipped 28 goals and let in more than two on four occasions.
Maybe Albion will take some heart from the last meeting between the sides (November 21) when Manchester United only edged the contest through a second-half Bruno Fernandes penalty which arrived in fortunate circumstances.
Sam Johnstone saved his initial penalty but the kick was reordered to be taken again and Fernandes tucked it away the second time.
A change in luck on Sunday would be some light relief from this dismal season so far.
In other West Brom news, footage shows summer signing could return from injury v Manchester United.
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