BBC football pundit Mark Lawrenson has predicted that Tottenham Hotspur will draw against QPR on Saturday.
Spurs face a tough trip to Loftus Road on Saturday evening and will be keen to put the 5-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat behind us and finish the season strong with a top four finish. However Lawro predicts that we are due some more upset by only managing a point against Mark Hughes’ side.
He told BBC Sport Online: “Tottenham’s 5-1 defeat in the FA Cup semi-final flattered Chelsea and I don’t care what anyone else says – awarding the Blues their second goal when the ball did not cross the line completely decided the outcome of that match.
“At the same time, Spurs are just not firing at the moment.
“All of a sudden they have started to make mistakes at the back and, whoever they play, they look very vulnerable. They did not look secure at Wembley, even though Scott Parker was back for that game.
“There are still some good individual performances but they are not quite clicking as a team and I just wonder if they have tensed up a bit, because it does happen sometimes at this stage of the season.
“Spurs played some absolutely brilliant football for weeks and weeks but they have not really looked like their old selves for a couple of months now.
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“I don’t buy the theory that they have slumped because of the speculation linking Harry Redknapp with the England job. It might have had a little effect but the biggest factor for me would be what has happened to them mentally.
“It is a bit like a golfer playing really well and leading a tournament going into the final day and, instead of relaxing and playing and showing everyone what a good player he is, he is trying to almost guide the ball around the course, which doesn’t work.
“In a football sense, Tottenham are doing that. Every mistake they make tends to be punished and they are thinking about things a bit too much. It’s unfortunate for them because, when they are confident and playing football at their best, they are a really good side to watch.
“QPR keeping winning then losing – but that is fine as long as it keeps their head above water.
“Djibril Cisse is back from suspension, which will help them here – as long as he manages to stay on the pitch this time.
“Rangers’ run-in is particularly tough on paper but, like I said with Blackburn’s fixtures, who is to know what will happen in the next few weeks?
“Chelsea have got the second leg of their Champions League semi-final to play before they play QPR, and they have got the FA Cup final the week after.
“Mark Hughes’ side have to go to Manchester City on the last day, but City might not have anything to play for by then.
“Prediction: 1-1.”
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