OptiNews - Friday 28 April to Thursday 04 May 2017

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Lawro’s Premier League predictions v Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar

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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 actor Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings in BBC drama Line of Duty.

Dunbar is an Arsenal fan who was a long-term season-ticket holder at Highbury and the Emirates Stadium when he lived in nearby Crouch End.

He is optimistic about the Gunners’ chances of beating Chelsea in next month’s FA Cup final.

“At the end of a very difficult season for everyone, there is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel,” Dunbar told BBC Sport.

"I think we will be much happier playing Chelsea in the final than we would have been playing Tottenham - Spurs are ultimately a better side than Chelsea at the moment.

"So I think we’ve got a chance. Actually, while we’ve got Alexis Sanchez, we’ve always got a chance.

Dunbar says his character in Line of Duty was based on a couple of football managers, but Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is not one of them.

“There are a whole lot of great managers that came out of the west of Scotland - Bill Shankly, Jock Stein and Sir Alex Ferguson,” he explained.

"They had great man-management skill, there is no question about it - they were able to handle people.

“Hastings had to have the same skills, where he can get the best out of everybody. I am from not far away myself so I have kind of mined that quality for him a little bit.”

So, does Hastings need to go into the Arsenal dressing room to try to get more out of their players?

“No, I think you would be wrong to think Wenger cannot drum our players up,” Dunbar said. "I think he did it big time in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.

“I wouldn’t mind going in though, every now and again, giving them a wake-up call.”

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

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.

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

Southampton actually played quite well against Chelsea on Tuesday, but got hit for four in the end.

As good as Hull have been at home since Marco Silva took charge in January, they still cannot win away.

The Tigers have drawn one and lost eight out of nine matches on the road in all competitions in that time, and I don’t see them improving on that record here.

I’m not sure what has happened to Stoke, who have lost five of their past six matches, but I am sure their manager Mark Hughes will turn it around.

The Potters did not manage their first league win until mid-October and have had quite an up and down season, but I actually think they will finish the campaign strongly.

Five points from their past three matches have taken West Ham clear of the relegation dog-fight, but I still don’t see them going to Stoke and winning.

Sunderland are doomed. They could go down this weekend if results go against them, but it is just a matter of time until their relegation is confirmed.

The question now is ‘what happens next?’ and a lot of that will be down to the club’s owner Ellis Short.

As for Saturday, well Sunderland have not won at home since 17 December, and I cannot see that run ending against Bournemouth.

The Cherries are all but safe after hammering Middlesbrough last time out, and I don’t think it will be long until they are mathematically sure of staying up.

West Brom have lost their past three matches and their season is in danger of petering out, which is a shame because they have spent so much of it in the top half of the table.

The Baggies are at home, and have not played since 16 April, while Leicester were in action against Arsenal on Wednesday night.

I think that will make a difference, although I could not really tell you where the Baggies’ goals are going to come from.

Foxes boss Craig Shakespeare says his side are not safe yet, but I think they will be fine because the teams below them are not winning regularly enough to over-take them.

If Leicester do need to win one of their remaining games to make sure of staying up, then I think they will do it.

It looked like Crystal Palace were going to edge closer to safety on Wednesday night, because their game with Tottenham had 0-0 written all over it until Christian Eriksen scored Spurs’ winner.

The Eagles are running out of centre-halves after losing Mamadou Sakho to injury but, at the other end, they always pose problems.

Burnley were brushed aside by Manchester United last time out and it might take a little while longer before they banish their relegation fears.

Swansea need a win but, although they have beaten Manchester United home or away in each of the past three seasons, I don’t see them doing it again on Sunday.

I don’t think United will be affected by their upcoming trip to Celta Vigo for the first leg of their Europa League semi-final on Thursday.

But Jose Mourinho’s side have trips to Tottenham and Arsenal either side of the return on 11 May, and that run of games could define his first season at Old Trafford.

By the end of it we will probably have an idea of which competition offers them the best route into next season’s Champions League, but for now they are still trying to ring-fence a top-four finish.

Everton are on a phenomenal run of form at Goodison Park, where they have won their past eight league games and scored 29 goals.

But if anyone is going to stop them, it is the league leaders.

Chelsea are within touching distance of the title now, and I think they will go there and do a job, and expose any weakness or tiredness that Everton have.

Middlesbrough ended an 16-game winless run in the league by beating Sunderland on Wednesday but they remain in deep trouble.

Boro are in a situation now where a draw is not good enough for them, regardless of the opposition.

They are more ambitious going forward under Steve Agnew than they were when Aitor Karanka was in charge but they still don’t have the players to hurt teams.

Manchester City do, and they will go to the Riverside Stadium and attack Middlesbrough. I think they will find a way through.

Tottenham found a way to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday night despite not playing particularly well, and that was a great result for them.

Spurs have now won eight league games on the spin but I just have a feeling that Arsenal will put a spanner in the works of their bid to catch Chelsea.

The Gunners’ winning run in all competitions is much shorter, at three matches, but it included Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.

Arsene Wenger’s side will be full of confidence and have got a bit of momentum too. This is a game that I don’t see them losing.

Adrian’s prediction: This is going to be very difficult for Arsenal - Spurs are probably the best team in England at the moment. I would be happy with a draw but who knows? It is a one-off game and anything can happen. 2-2

Liverpool got battered 3-0 when they went to Vicarage Road last season, after conceding two goals in the first 15 minutes.

I just don’t see that happening on Monday, especially if Watford play like they did when they lost 2-0 at 10-man Hull last time out.

The Hornets are back at home, but this still looks like a winnable fixture for Liverpool - although I thought the same about their last game against Crystal Palace.

From last weekend’s Premier League matches, Lawro got three correct results, with no perfect scores, from the six matches, for a total of 30 points.

He beat Radio 1Xtra DJ Trevor Nelson, who got two correct results to score 20 points, but lost out to fellow MOTD pundit Jermaine Jenas, who got three correct results, including one perfect score, for a tally of 60 points.

In the FA Cup semi-finals, Nelson fared the best, correctly predicting that Chelsea would beat Spurs in normal time, while Lawro thought the Blues would win via penalties. Nobody picked Arsenal to win the other tie.

Lawro made the following predictions for the midweek Premier League games, but he did not have an opponent for all the games so not all the scores count towards his season totals.

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

New content from (- The Ugly Inside News for Southampton)

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

We’ve been speaking to @OficialCedric ahead of #SaintsFC’s clash with #HCAFC in the #PL this weekend:

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@Sure - Sure UK & Ireland

:movie_camera:: Soccer AM take on the Saints in ‘You Know the Drill’.

:large_blue_circle: @TubesSoccerAM & @Fennerssocceram & @jimmybullard
vs
:red_circle:https://twitter.com/i/web/status/857890237380513792

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Sourced from Optimus trousers summary article summary

Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/04/2017 10:56:55

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| ‘Great to see you back’ Southampton fans elated at star’s returnSHOOTCOUK |
| | Forget West Brom, reuniting with Manolo Gabbiadini at Southampton could inspire EderHEREISTHECITY |

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

:movie_camera: #SaintsTogether

Learn about the difference @SFC_Foundation is making in the community through the Premier League… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/857919709290930177

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Gallery: Saints prepare for Hull

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Our photographers were on hand to Thursday’s training at Staplewood Campus, as Charlie Austin and Matt Targett returned to training ahead Saints’ clash with Hull City in the Premier League.

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Remember to grab your copy of SAINTS at the game tomorrow, with £1.50 from every issue sold being donated to… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/857931152660680704

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Get 70% off replica kit!

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It means you can now pick up any of the home, away or goalkeeper strips for a fraction of their full price.

It gets even better too, as name-and-number shirt printing has been reduced from £14 to just £7.

The offers apply in our Stadium and Westquay Stores, as well as online at store.saintsfc.co.uk.

Please note, these offers are subject to availability and while stocks last. No further discounts will apply.

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Sourced from Southampton FC - Official Site article

Fans help us feel stronger, says Cédric

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Despite an encouraging display, Saints fell to their second defeat in as many games at league leaders Chelsea.

And the Portuguese international can’t wait to savour St Mary’s again and try to reward the fantastic support the side receives.

“We look forward to the game. We know we came from a difficult and tough game against Chelsea but we want to win against Hull City,” said Cédric.

“Also because we play at home in front of our fans, they have been amazing in every game so we definitely need to give them this winning feeling again.

“It’s always better for us when we play at home because we play in front of our fans and we have all the support. We feel stronger with them and I think every player prefers to play at St Mary’s.

“We’re looking forward to trying to give them happy moments.”

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Video: Cédric previews Hull City clash

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Saints Together: Premier League Works

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Sourced from The Telegraph article

Dejan Lovren signs new Liverpool contract to remain at Anfield until 2021

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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren has today signed a new contract at Anfield to keep him on Merseyside until the summer of 2021.

The Croatian concluded negotiations over the last few days, penning a contract worth just under £100,000 a week to ensure the club retains his services for the next four seasons.

Liverpool have added the option of another year, which could yet extend the deal until 2022.

Lovren moved to Liverpool from Southampton in 2014, at that time signing a five year deal for £20 million. He was recruited by Brendan Rodgers but toiled under the previous manager. Despite that difficult start - and some enduring criticism for his inconsistency - he has improved under the management of Jurgen Klopp.

He has also been hampered by injury, especially this season, but Klopp wants the player as part of his contingent of centre-back options in the years ahead.

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Quiz: Saints’ promotion team

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It’s five years to the day since Southampton won promotion back to the Premier League… But can you remember the squad that beat Coventry 4-0 to seal our spot back in the big time?

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 28/04/2017 12:57:32

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| Southampton v Hull City Predictions, Betting Tips - 29-04-2017KICKOFFCOUK |

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Sourced from A tweet by SouthamptonFC tweet

@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

Ahead of tomorrow’s game, get the lowdown on #SaintsFC’s opponents from #HCAFC expert @PJBuckingham: http://sfcne.ws/ITHullH1617

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Stat Pack: Saints vs Hull City

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Take a look at the key facts and figures behind Southampton’s home clash with Hull City in the Premier League…

Southampton have won four of their previous five Premier League matches against Hull City, although did lose last time out in November.

The Tigers haven’t won away at Southampton in a competitive meeting since February 1951, losing 10 of 15 trips there since that victory (D5).

Saints have won their last four home games against Hull, scoring two or more in each clash.

Southampton have lost only one of their last 12 Premier League home games against sides in the bottom half of the table coming into the fixture (W7 D4 L1).

Since Marco Silva was appointed Hull City manager, the Tigers have won 20 points from 14 Premier League matches. However, only one of these points (5%) have come away from home.

In the seven Premier League away games that Marco Silva has taken charge of Hull City, the Tigers have an aggregate score of 3-17 (W0 D1 L6).

Only Burnley (4) have won fewer points away from home in the Premier League this season than Hull City (5), but the Tigers have conceded the most goals on the road (41).

There have been 54 goals scored in the last 16 Premier League games involving Southampton – an average of 3.4 per game. 13 of these matches have seen at least three goals scored.

13 different Southampton players have scored a Premier League goal this season; but none of these have more than six goals (Charlie Austin and Nathan Redmond both have six). Alongside Stoke City, they are the team with the lowest scoring top goalscorer in the Premier League this season.

Despite not playing for them in over three months (January 14th) and Hull City playing 13 Premier League games since then, Robert Snodgrass is still the player with the most goals (7), most goal involvements (10) and most chances created (45) for the Tigers in the Premier League this season.

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On This Day: Saints return to Premier League

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Premier League team news, odds and stats from every match this weekend

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Ahead of this weekend’s matches in the Premier League, Sportsmail brings you the latest squad news, odds and stats on every top flight fixture as it breaks.

Simply click on your team in the fixture list below to find out who is ruled out and who is making a return as well as all the key statistics surrounding your club’s fixture.

In or out? Keep up-to-date with all the latest team news and stats ahead of the weekend

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Fantasy Premier League tips: The transfers you should make in Gameweek 35

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Gameweeks are coming thick and fast in Fantasy Premier League and it is crunch time.

If you are trying to stay top of your private league, catch that elusive leader, move off the bottom or even move up the table for pride, the games are running out with the season’s end nearly in sight.

The upcoming weekend sees the north London derby take place - will Harry Kane and co. rise to the occasion and keep Tottenham in with a chance of winning the title? Or will Alexis Sanchez and his team-mates crush their rivals’ dreams with a performance at White Hart Lane?

Leaders Chelsea have a tough trip to Everton, while Manchester City will follow Thursday’s derby with a trip to the north east to face relegation-battling Middlesbrough.

Click the right arrow, above, to check out the Fantasy Premier League transfers you might need to make this week by clicking the right arrow above…

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