OptiNews - Friday 26 January to Thursday 01 February 2018

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WATCH: Transfer Centre live - News live stream

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Watch an hour of live transfer news as Sky Sports News brings you the latest on the big deals ahead of Deadline Day.

The window will shut at 11pm on Wednesday and as clubs scramble to do late business, we’re bringing you live coverage on skysports.com and the Sky Sports apps so you can stay in touch at the key moments even without a subscription.

You’ll see breaking transfer news, bulletins from reporters at clubs across the country and reaction to the big stories from our expert guests.

To join us in the newsroom, just click or tap on the video above at the following times:

You can watch Sky Sports News - channel 409 - at any time by signing in on skysports.com, the apps or Sky Go and just £6.99 will bag you a day pass with Now TV.

And if you’re on the move, follow the latest with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/01/2018 20:09:50

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| Southampton: Pellegrino confirms team news for Brighton clashFANSIDEDSAINTSMARCHING |

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| Southampton to play West Brom away in the FA Cup fifth round | It has been confirmed this evening that Southampton will take on West Brom away from home in the fifth round of the … 29-01-2018 |

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| Agent has his say over Southampton star’s future20 hours ago |
| Pellegrino delivers update on the future of Saints striker20 hours ago |
| Mauricio Pellegrino delivers update on Saints’ pursuit of Netherlands star2 days ago |
| Southampton linked with surprise move for Tottenham defender2 days ago |
| Southampton player ratings: Watford(H)2 days ago |
| Who was your man of the match? Watford (H)2 days ago |
| Ryan Seager joins Yeovil Town on loan until the end of the season from Southampton3 days ago |
| How well do you know Southampton’s new record signing? Take this quiz and find out.3 days ago |
| Southampton Predicted XI: Watford (H)3 days ago |

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@AdamBlackmore - Adam Blackmore

#saintsfc will play West Brom - away - in the @EmiratesFACup 5th round .

League game v Watford followed by FA Cup… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/958058766062190597

Retweets: 8

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Every Premier League owner ranked from worst to first on current performance

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The former Libyan dictator was just ‘a whisker away’ from owning a share in the Red Devils, according to Mehmet Dalman, the man who brokered the Glazer’s takeover of the Old Trafford club.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, Dalman said: “People don’t realise how the [takeover] deal was a whisker away from going to Libya. Gadaffi almost bought the club. That’s how close it got — literally you’re talking about a few hours.”

Eventually, the deal collapsed because no price could be agreed and the Glazer’s ended up buying the majority share in Man United.

They have been the owners since then, and have often been criticised for the way they have handled things in Manchester.

But where do the Glazer’s rank among all the current Premier League owners? Click the right arrow, above, to see talkSPORT.com’s ranking of the owners of all 20 top flight sides based on their current performance…

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/01/2018 21:10:05

| | Pellegrino delivers update on the future of Saints strikerREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Agent has his say over Southampton transfer claims, makes position very clearSPORTWITNESS |
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| Ulloa in Albion squad for key Southampton clashTHISISBRIGHTON |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/01/2018 22:10:19

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| 4 Shots, 3 Dribbles: £900k-rated attacker’s majestic display may convince Southampton to swoopFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Mauricio Pellegrino wants third January signing to follow Promes to St Mary’sFOOTBALLFANCAST |
| | Manolo Gabbiadini: a victim of Pellegrino’s centre froward demands?FRESHSAINTS |
| | Agent has his say over Southampton star’s futureREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Southampton must sign former £10m centre-back target to save their seasonFOOTBALLFANCAST |

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FA Cup fifth round draw in full

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Manchester United will face a trip to either Huddersfield or Birmingham in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

The Red Devils booked their place in the fifth round with a 4-0 win at Yeovil on Friday evening.

Elsewhere, neighbours Man City face a trip to Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final.

The Blues saw off Cardiff in the fourth round, winning 2-0 in South Wales but lost Leroy Sane to an ankle ligament injury.

Spurs will play either Millwall or Rochdale if they get past Newport after the League Two side held them at Rodney Parade on Saturday.

Chelsea’s reward for beating Newcastle 3-0 at Stamford Bridge is another home game against Hull.

Carlos Carvalhal will return to Hillsborough with his Swansea side to face Sheffield Wednesday if the Swans beat Notts County in a replay.

Wednesday’s cross-city rivals United travel to Leicester while there is an all Premier League tussle between West Brom and Southampton.

The lowest-ranked team left in the competition, Coventry, face a tough trip to the Amex to play Brighton.

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@RadhijaidiOff was full of praise for his #SaintsFCU23s side after they emerged 2-0 victors over #SCFC tonight:

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FA Cup 5th round draw RECAP: Tottenham face possible trip to Millwall

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After a weekend of thrills and spills in the FA Cup, the 5th round draw took place live on Monday night and Sportsmail followed it live.

Among the clubs eager to discover their fate were 12-time champions Manchester United, rivals City — won won 2-0 at Cardiff on Sunday — and current Premier League holders Chelsea fresh from their 3-0 victory over Newcastle.

League Two minnows Newport County and Tottenham were both in the hat, too, ahead of their Wembley replay on February 7.

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Saints to travel to West Brom in FA Cup fifth round

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Southampton will travel to face West Bromwich Albion in the fifth round of the Emirates FA Cup.

Mauricio Pellegrino’s men will travel to The Hawthorns, with ties to be played between the 16th and 19th February.

Saints met West Brom at St Mary’s earlier this season in the Premier League, when Sofiane Boufal’s stunning solo effort earned all three points.

The last time the two sides met in the FA Cup was back in 1979, also in the fifth round, when a 1-1 draw at West Brom forced a replay which Saints went on to win 2-1 courtesy of goals from Phil Boyer and David Peach.

A date and ticketing details for next month’s game will be confirmed in due course.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 29/01/2018 23:10:32

| | Newcastle United should make move for Southampton’s Fraser ForsterHEREISTHECITY |
| | West Brom handed Southampton tie in FA Cup fifth round drawEVESTAR |
| | FA Cup Fifth Round - Full Draw (29/1/18)VITALFOOTBALL |
| | FA Cup draw LIVE: Blues vs Man Utd, Albion vs SouthamptonBIRMINGHAMMAIL |
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| Baggies draw Saints in FA CupWESTBROMWICHALBIONFC |
| | Southampton to play West Brom away in the FA Cup fifth roundREADSOUTHAMPTON |
| | Southampton reportedly eye raid on Premier League rivals as Pellegrino looks to exciting youngster | | Where …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
| | Manolo Gabbiadini: a victim of Pellegrino’s centre froward demands?FRESHSAINTS |

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 30/01/2018 00:10:46

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| FA Cup fifth-round draw: Wigan face Man City, West Brom to play SouthamptonKINGFUT |
| | Southampton suffer significant setback in pursuit of ‘cheap’ January deal – report | | Where football transfer …THETRANSFERTAVERN |
| | Wigan draw Manchester City in 2013 FA Cup final re-runFOURFOURTWO |

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FA Cup fifth-round draw sees Manchester City face Wigan in repeat of 2013 final

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Manchester City will play Wigan in a repeat of the 2013 FA Cup final, with most of the big clubs kept apart in the fifth-round draw.

Current Sky Bet League One leaders Wigan stunned City to lift the trophy, with Ben Watson heading home a stoppage-time winner at Wembley.

Manchester United were drawn away to either Huddersfield or Birmingham, while Chelsea will face Championship side Hull at Stamford Bridge.

Tottenham will play either Millwall or Rochdale, if they can get past Newport in their fourth-round replay at Wembley after being held 1-1 at Rodney Parade in their first encounter.

Coventry, winners of the tournament after beating Spurs in 1987 but now competing in Sky Bet League Two, have a trip to the south coast to take on Brighton, while West Brom entertain Southampton in the only guaranteed all-Premier League tie.

Notts County’s reward for taking Premier League bottom club Swansea to a replay is a possible trip to Hillsborough, although Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal will hope to secure a swift return to the club he used to manage by seeing off Kevin Nolan’s side.

In the other tie to be drawn, Leicester - who thrashed Peterborough 5-1 on Saturday lunchtime - entertain Sheffield United.

Ties will be played from February 16-18.

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Wigan to face Man City in fifth round of FA Cup

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Wigan Athletic have been rewarded for their FA Cup heroics with a lucrative fifth-round draw at home to Manchester City.

The League One leaders, having dumped West Ham and Bournemouth out of this season’s competition will face Pep Guardiola’s rampant side at the DW Stadium.

It was the last of eight ties drawn by Ruud Gullit and Robbie Savage and serves up a repeat of the FA Cup final in 2013 when Wigan beat City 1-0 at Wembley.

‘When it got down to the last four I was thinking Coventry at home might be a good chance to reach the quarter-finals,’ said chairman David Sharpe, who took a call from manager Paul Cook as soon as the draw was complete.

'He had referred to never parking the bus in an interview but he called me to say there might have to be one exception.

'It’s been a real topsy-turvy time since we were in the Premier League. There has been promotion and relegations and there’s been doom and gloom but Paul has brought in a fresh approach.

‘He’s done an unbelievable job. He’s infectious, you want to be with him and that’s rubbing off on the players. The players are flying and finally there’s a buzz around the place again.’

Wigan won the FA Cup on Sharpe’s 22nd birthday and he was named chairman two years later when his grandfather Dave Whelan stepped aside after 20 years in charge.

‘That final was his big day and we were proud to be with him,’ said Sharpe. 'I have supported the club my whole life and didn’t think I’d see that day.

'I didn’t expect us to beat City but it went our way and we deserved it.

'They are a much bigger fish than they were then, even though some of the players are the same, such as Sergio Aguero.

'It’s good to be at home, that gives us a better chance than away and City might have an eye on the Champions League.

‘It’s going to be exciting and the boys deserve a bit of limelight. Our two previous games against Premier League teams were not on TV and I’m sure this one will be. They deserve that.’

League Two Coventry, the lowest ranked team definitely into the last 16, were drawn away to Premier League side Brighton.

Chelsea, seven times winners, face Championship strugglers Hull at home and Manchester United travel to the winners of a replay between Huddersfield and Birmingham.

Sheffield Wednesday will come face to face with Carlos Carvalhal, the manager they sacked on Christmas Eve, if Swansea beat Notts County in a replay.

Sheffield United are at Leicester and the only other tie not featuring replays is an all Premier League clash between West Bromwich Albion, FA Cup winners 50 years ago, and Southampton.

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Jaïdi hails “superb” Saints

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Asserting that the game plan was perfectly executed, Jaïdi complimented Southampton’s defensive resilience, and efficiency in the final third, as they ran out 2-0 victors.

Goals were scored courtesy of Jake Hesketh and Callum Slattery - the latter atoning for an earlier error after an ill-fated penalty attempt was saved.

“Yes, we got more than what I asked for,” Jaïdi explained, smiling. "It was a superb performance from the boys. From the start, they stepped up the level and pressed Stoke high.

"We obliged them to go direct, and we won the first and the second balls. We controlled the game.

"Perhaps a bit erratic in the final third first-half, we had the penalty and missed it. But the boys never gave up, kept working and a perfect second half.

"I felt today that the boys were more mature, they understood how to manage the game better. Slatts kept going after the penalty miss, he still believed he could have an impact on the game.

"Josh Sims is still coming back from injury, he needs to reach that 90 minute mark, but what a performance. He makes it so difficult to defend, creates chances, but I can’t neglect Ben Rowthorn - he was equally as good.

“The two centre-backs dealt well with the aerial play, and I could go through the team and praise most individuals tonight.”

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Transfer News RECAP: Sturridge leaves Liverpool for West Brom loan

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The January transfer window deadline is just three days away and clubs are still looking to get some huge deals over the line to improve their squads.

Arsenal have agreed a £55.4million fee with Borussia Dortmund for Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang in a deal which would see the striker earn £180,000-a-week.

Chelsea have yet to settle on a price with Roma for star forward Edin Dzeko, but West Brom have completed the loan signing of Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.

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U23 Report: Stoke 0-2 Saints

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The latter had missed a penalty kick in the first period, but soon expiated for his earlier error, adding a second to Hesketh’s unstoppable opener.

The slick surface of St George’s Park allowed for a fast paced opening, with both side’s showing early attacking intent.

The movement of Stoke’s Daniel Jarvis from the left, drifting inside and carrying the ball shrewdly, meant Southampton had to retreat on occasion, but the danger was being snuffed out effectively enough.

Opposite number Josh Sims was causing a similar defensive headache for the hosts. Twice the Saints winger freed himself down the right, using a combination of pace and power to beat Cameron McJannet, but was unfortunate to overrun the ball.

Always an outlet, Sims had the visitors continuously on the front foot, as Aaron O’Driscoll met a Will Wood corner and narrowly turned over in the 15th minute.

The remainder of the half ebbed and flowed, without too much by way of goalmouth action. Slattery was linking well with Sims, while introducing Hesketh to Saints’ attacking play, but the final pass often lacked accuracy.

Tyrese Campbell flashed an effort goalward for the hosts, before Ryan Hill’s low square cross presented a chance for Julien Ngoy, but Jack Rose intervened smartly.

The 43rd minute presented the best opportunity of a cagey game to Slattery, as Hesketh was upended in the box. Penalty awarded, penalty saved.

The midfielder stepped up to the 12-yard spot with confidence, settled himself, fired low, before watching Jakob Haugaard’s outstretched glove palm the effort to safety.

Unlucky not to enter the break with an advantage, Saints soon atoned for their first-half misgivings. No sooner had Hesketh broken the deadlock, Slattery had doubled the away side’s lead.

The first, an expertly dispatched drive from 20-yards, left Haugaard motionless, with Wood the architect. Expressive in his running, the full-back drove forward, committing men, before allowing Hesketh the space to complete the job. The bullet shot found the top corner with power and precision, in equal measure.

Moments later, Slattery, keen to compensate for his earlier miss, was proportionately as clinical. Latching on to the ball in the box, the midfielder cooly side-footed in to the far corner, giving Saints a comfortable two goal cushion.

Ten minutes from time, and Sims had a chance to seal it. On the break, Hesketh’s characteristic vision spotted the late dash of Sims, who cut inside before firing low. For all its endeavour, and to mark a fine performance, the effort perhaps deserved more, as the midfielder then proceeded to make way for the oncoming Nathan Tella.

A brief shift in momentum meant that Saints had to absorb some pressure late on, as the hosts opted to go long in search of a leveller. Rose, irregularly called in to action, had to be alive and caught most deliveries that weren’t cut out at source.

A welcome result, Saints left St George’s Park with all three Premier League 2 points, and their first away victory since early November.

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Premier League predictions: Lawro v rock band Editors

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Manchester United will hope to close the gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City when they play Tottenham on Wednesday - but how will Jose Mourinho’s side fare at Wembley?

BBC Sport football expert Mark Lawrenson says: "It will be tight, just like it was at Old Trafford in October when Romelu Lukaku flicked on a long ball for Anthony Martial to score a late winner for United.

“But Tottenham are on a good run at the moment and I think they might be the ones who edge it this time.”

Lawro is going for a 2-1 Spurs win - do you agree?

You can make your predictions now, take on Lawro and other fans, create your own league and try to make it to the top of the table by playing the new-look BBC Sport Predictor game.

Lawro will be making a prediction for all 380 top-flight games this season, against a variety of guests.

This week, he takes on Russell Leetch and Ed Lay from rock band Editors, whose new album ‘Violence’ is out in March.

Bassist Russell is an Aston Villa fan, while drummer Ed supports Ipswich.

Editors are about to embark on a European tour and Ed says he tries to get a football fix while they are on their travels, even though it is hard for them to get to matches because of their gigs.

He said: "We went to see Inter Milan play in the San Siro once, which was pretty special because I am a sucker for a classic stadium,

"I tend to go running a lot when we are on tour and it is a nice way to see the towns or cities we are in.

“I always try to pinpoint where the football stadium is and try to run up to it and around it so I can take a look because, if I can’t make it to the game, it is the next best thing.”

Both Russ and Ed are seasoned spectators of their sides in the Championship, but only Russ is holding out much hope of a return to the Premier League anytime soon.

“Villa have finally found some form, and results have been going our way so it is all good at the moment,” Russ said. "Jack Grealish is starting to play well and John Terry has shown that he is total class - his positioning and his passing is brilliant.

"It is quite entertaining that he gets booed by the opposition fans in every single game, no matter who we are playing.

“But we need to keep trying to push for second place because I am desperate to avoid the play-offs.”

The play-offs are a distant dream for Ed, whose side are the longest-serving team in the Championship having played at that level since 2002.

Ed said: "We should always aim for the play-offs at the start of every season but it is going to take a massive change in our financial situation for us to make it, or we somehow go on an incredible run.

"We managed that in 2000 but hat season was quite remarkable and I can’t believe it was so long ago.

“My best day as an Ipswich fan was when we went to Wembley and beat Barnsley 4-2 in the play-off final, then I went across the way to watch Pearl Jam at Wembley Arena still wearing our orange away shirt. That was a nice little double-header for me.”

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

All kick-offs 19:45 GMT unless otherwise stated.

The Arsenal team could look quite different by the weekend if Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Jonny Evans both arrive, but I would still expect them to win this game - even without all their potential signings in place.

The Gunners had the weekend off, while Swansea picked quite a strong team for their draw with Notts County in the FA Cup.

Arsenal’s away form has not been great but they will be fresh for this one and Henrikh Mkhitaryan should give them a lift on his debut too.

Ed’s prediction: Arsenal are very up down away from home at the moment, so I think Swansea might edge this one. 2-1

West Ham were well beaten at Wigan in the FA Cup on Saturday, but their form in the Premier League remains strong.

The same goes for Crystal Palace, who are also out of the FA Cup, but whose only league defeats since early November have come home and away against Arsenal.

Palace have had nine days off, while Hammers boss David Moyes is struggling a bit for players because of injuries and suspensions - but I still see this one ending up as a closely fought draw.

Russ’ prediction: I would love to see ex-Villa striker Christian Benteke score but it is more likely to be Wilfried Zaha who finds the net for Palace. 1-1

Ed’s prediction: This is quite interesting because I like the rebirth of these two managers. Palace fans were not particularly excited when Roy Hodgson was appointed and Moyes was not a popular choice either.

So I am glad they have done well although, geographically speaking, West Ham are on the cusp of being Ipswich’s rivals. I never wanted them to do well after the way they ended up with the Olympic Stadium either.

So good luck to Moyes, but I would like to think Palace will win it. 0-2

It has not been a good week for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, so at least he gets to see a friendly face in Huddersfield boss David Wagner, who is his best mate.

After their defeat by Swansea in the league last week, Liverpool were so porous at the back in the FA Cup against West Brom on Saturday and their defending must be a real worry for their manager.

There have been fingers pointed at their players at the back but, watching the Reds, their midfield offers absolutely no protection whatsoever.

Whoever plays in the middle, no-one seems to want to do the dirty work - sit in front of the defence and close the gaps to make things difficult for the opposition - and that is becoming a serious problem for Klopp.

Huddersfield have not won in the Premier League since 16 December, and have taken only three points from six games since then.

I don’t see the Terriers ending their wait for a victory here, but if Swansea and West Brom can cause Liverpool problems, I think they can too.

We know Liverpool can beat the top teams under Klopp, but they continue to struggle against the bottom teams - and that situation is not going away.

Russ’ prediction: Huddersfield were the best team I saw last season in the Championship when they came to Villa Park. They looked really tidy and I just liked the look of Aaron Mooy.

But I am going to back Liverpool, even if they do struggle against these sort of teams sometimes. 1-2

Ed’s prediction: Liverpool will not keep a clean sheet but I think they will score a few. If Mohamed Salah is playing, he will get a couple. 2-5

Chelsea had a routine win over Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, while Bournemouth were among the teams to have a rest following their defeat by Wigan in the third round.

I don’t think those days off will help the Cherries too much at Stamford Bridge, though.

Eddie Howe’s side are on a five-game unbeaten run in the league that includes their victory over Arsenal, but this is the most difficult game of that stretch of fixtures.

I am not sure what is happening at Chelsea and what it means for the long-term job prospects of manager Antonio Conte, but it does not seem to be affecting their form too much.

Conte is sending out some mixed messages about Chelsea’s transfer policy, though, and he also seems to like poking the people above him at the club to complain about it, so that situation might change soon. It is certainly not going to go away.

Russ’ prediction: Chelsea want that kind of striker that they can stick on for the last 10 minutes if they need a goal. It looks like Edin Dzeko is the man they will get but he is playing and scoring regularly for Roma so I don’t know why he would want to be a bit-part player for the Blues. Maybe the wages they are offering him will persuade him a bit. 3-0

Everton went out of the FA Cup in the third round and have gone six games without a win in the league.

Leicester, in contrast, have been in great form since the start of the year and have won four out of their six matches, while staying undefeated.

The Foxes look like they are in form and playing well, and I think they are in a good place to keep that run going. They are starting to look like the seventh-best team in the league for me.

Russ’ prediction: I am not a fan of the way Sam Allardyce’s teams play football - I can’t stand it. I know you roll the dice when you appoint a manager who tries to play football but the biggest advert for it working at the moment is Wolves and what they are doing at the top of the Championship under Nuno Espirito Santo. 1-2

Ed’s prediction: Everton have made a few signings but they are still bedding in.

Theo Walcott could be good but he just looks so unhappy all the time. It is as if he has lost his love for football. Hopefully going to a club who really want him will be the spark to kick him on again but he just seems to be that player who unfortunately is never going to fulfil his potential. 1-2

Burnley have gone seven Premier League games without a win and Newcastle, who have won twice in the same period, look like an in-form side in comparison.

It is very hard to pick either side to go and win, although Burnley will undoubtedly return to form at some point.

I am still concerned about Newcastle, because they are being distracted by talk of a takeover and, by the looks of things, that is going to last longer than Brexit.

Ed’s prediction: Daryl Murphy was mega for Ipswich and I don’t know why Newcastle did not keep hold of him after he helped them win promotion to the Premier League last season. He would have been good coming off the bench for them and I feel sorry for him that he did not get a chance, so I hope they get their comeuppance for that. 0-1

Both these sides were in the top 12 the last time this south coast derby took place, in October, but they are both in a relegation battle now.

It ended all-square at the Amex Stadium but I fancy Saints to take the points this time.

They are on an 11-game winless run in the Premier League but have been winning games in the FA Cup - including against Watford on Saturday - and I think this is the moment they return to form in the league too.

Manchester City had Sunday’s FA Cup tie against Cardiff sewn up by half-time so they were able to take their foot off the pedal.

The only negative for Pep Guardiola’s side was the tackle by Cardiff’s Joe Bennett on Leroy Sane that has left Sane sidelined for a few weeks.

I was at the game co-commentating and, the first time we saw it, I don’t think anyone in the ground realised how bad a challenge it was.

To be fair to the referee, he clearly didn’t see how bad it was either. If he had then Bennett would have been sent off, no doubt about it.

I am not sure who will be fit to play for West Brom, because Kieran Gibbs and Hal-Robson Kanu were forced off during Saturday’s win over Liverpool, and Jonny Evans was injured too.

City will be without Sane, but I still think they will run out comfortable winners and they are in a fantastic position in terms of their bid to win all four major trophies.

I don’t think there is any stopping them in the Premier League and the pressure is off in games like this.

The only thing that stops them winning all four trophies could be themselves - if they have an off day in one of the cups - because if they play like we know they can, it is hard to see them being beaten.

Ed’s prediction: I like City’s players because they don’t have humongous egos. Their players just seem to get on with it when things go wrong. They play as a proper team and they have got something really special there. 4-0

This is the second game in charge for Stoke manager Paul Lambert and Watford boss Javi Gracia - Lambert has got a 100% record to defend, while Gracia is after his first win.

Of the two teams, I’m probably more worried about Watford going down than Stoke, but that would change if the Hornets won this game.

I do not see that happening, though. I think Lambert has been working on fixing things in the dressing room and, if he can get that right and get his players at it, then the Potters will be fine.

Russ’s prediction: Lambert started with a win against Huddersfield and I think he will win this one as well. I am not sure Gracia will get that bounce, and Watford look like they are in a bit of trouble. 2-0

I don’t think a draw is much good for both teams - United are looking to cement their place in the top three and Tottenham are trying to break into it.

But I don’t think United boss Jose Mourinho will be thinking what damage can his players do to Spurs - he will be thinking what damage can Spurs do to us and will alter his line-up accordingly.

United will still try to nick a goal, of course, but there is no way they will go there and look to completely dominate the game or even to try to open Spurs up.

They did the latter against Arsenal at the Emirates in December, and were able to hurt them on the break, but this Spurs team is set up very differently, and I think the home side will win it.

Russ’ prediction: I think having United’s style of play compared to City’s is what is really upsetting Mourinho because City are showing you can win games in style by being really entertaining and scoring loads of goals.

It is weird because United started the season by scoring loads of goals but he has kind of shut up shop a little bit recently. Still, at least Jose is always entertaining even if his team isn’t. 1-1

Ed’s prediction: I think United will be under the cosh but Spurs will not be able to score. 0-0

On FA Cup fourth-round weekend, Lawro got 10 correct results, including four perfect scores, from the 16 ties for a total of 220 points.

He was up against Poet and Vuj, presenters on YouTube football channel Copa90.

Poet got six correct results, with no perfect scores, for a total of 60 points, while Vuj got seven correct results, with two perfect scores. That gave him a tally of 130 points.

Those scores do not count towards Lawro’s total for the season from Premier League fixtures or appear on the guest leaderboard.

  • Shows weeks where Lawro had more than one guest, and only the highest score contributed to the guest total.

Lawro’s best score: 150 points (week eight v Wretch 32 and week 24 v Pete Wentz)

Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week four v Umenyiora and Bell, week five v Non Stanford, week 21 v Darren Campbell and week 23 v Saric and Baynes)

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