Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for West Brom v Arsenal
The Liverpool legend is tipping West Brom to spring a surprise against Arsenal at The Hawthorns on Sunday afternoon
Mark Lawrenson is tipping Arsenal to slump to another Premier League defeat on the road when the Gunners make the trip to West Brom on Sunday afternoon.
The north London side secured a 3-2 win against struggling Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Thursday night thanks to goals from Shkodran Mustafi and Alexis Sanchez in the London derby.
Arsenal’s triumph in the five-goal thriller was just their third win of the season on the road following a 5-2 victory over Everton and a last-gasp 1-0 win at Burnley back in November.
Arsene Wenger’s side have lost four times and drawn three games in their other seven away fixtures in the Premier League to undermine their excellent form at the Emirates Stadium this season.
The Gunners are in sixth place and a point behind Liverpool in fourth spot in what looks like being a highly competitive race to secure a Champions League spot.
The Baggies are winless in their last six games in the Premier League to heap pressure on new manager Alan Pardew after he replaced Tony Pulis at West Brom.
Former Liverpool defender Lawrenson is backing West Brom to spring a surprise and beat Arsenal at The Hawthorns in their last Premier League games in 2017.
“West Brom have gone 18 league games without a win but they had chances to beat Everton on Boxing Day and I think results will turn around for them soon,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
“I think the Baggies fans can see what their new manager Pardew is trying to do, but there is no doubt they are another team who need to go into the market when the transfer window opens in January.
“Pardew has picked up three points from three draws out of his six games in charge and, as I have said before, you can see how he is trying to change things.
“I fancy them to cause a bit of an upset here, actually, because Arsenal are so inconsistent away from home and I am never sure what kind of performance to expect from them.”
