Lawro predicts Spurs to beat Stoke

BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will beat Stoke City tomorrow.

Last time out, Lawrenson incorrectly predicted that West Bromwich Albion would beat Spurs 2-1, when it ended up as a 1-1 draw on Boxing Day at White Hart Lane.

He told BBC Sport Online: ” New Tottenham head coach Tim Sherwood has been talking so much about playing attacking football that he really has to do it now, and see where it takes him.

“I think a lot of what he has been saying is for the benefit of the fans, but Sherwood clearly has a way he wants to play.

“So what he will be trying to do is establishing the base of his team and building things from there.

“What he needs to do first is sort out his defence and that means moving Jan Vertonghen back to centre-back from left-back where he has been for most of the season.

“Sherwood needs a rock at the back. Vertonghen can play at left-back but he is far better in the centre so get him back there and get the spine of his team sorted.

“Sandro is injured at the moment but when he is fit again, Sherwood needs to choose between him and Paulinho to sit in front of the back four and, in terms of having a more attacking outlook, I think it is a case of him playing an extra attacking midfielder.

“Stoke were a bit unlucky to get two men sent off in their 5-1 defeat by Newcastle on Boxing Day but what did not help was seeing their manager Mark Hughes sent to the stands after Glenn Whelan’s dismissal reduced them to 10 men.

“It is very difficult then for Hughes to tell his players to use their brains and be careful because he has just shown his frustration himself.

“It was just one of those games that they just need to forget and move on. They will have a point to prove at White Hart Lane but I cannot see them stopping Spurs.

“Lawro’s prediction: 2-0”