Looking at the Lawro predictions can only be treated with a resigned eye roll from Sheffield United fans by this point in the season.
So-called BBC Sport expert Mark Lawrenson has backed the Blades to lose so often this term it can be no surprise when he refuses to budge on his opinion.
When so many pundits predicted United to go straight back down after promotion, Lawrenson seems unwilling to admit he might have been wrong.
Even though with 36 points after 25 games and a sixth-place position currently, Chris Wilder’s men will almost certainly not suffer relegation.
This weekend they host a side very much in that danger zone, however. Bournemouth are 16th in the table and just two points outside the drop zone.
So what does Lawro think will happen?
“Bournemouth have now won two games in a row, and against the teams around them in the table too – Aston Villa and Brighton,” he wrote in his latest predictions.
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“We have seen them do something similar before, where they end a bad spell by going on a great run, and I can see it continuing here.
“Sheffield United are still ticking along nicely of course, but I always feel they are better on the road and their record backs that up – the Blades have picked up more points away from Bramall Lane this season.
“The goals have started to flow a little bit for the Cherries, so I am going to go for a bit of a surprise here, and back Bournemouth for the win.”
Where Lawro predictions would have Blades if he were right
As mentioned, this should no longer come as a shock to Blades supporters. That is the 16th time in 26 matches so far in 2019/20 that Lawrenson has predicted they will lose.
If he were correct, United would only have 19 points after 26 outings and sit in the bottom three.
If Lawro had predicted an 18th place finish before the campaign had started, it would be understandable. Not many thought Wilder’s team would survive, after all.
But he has the benefit of hindsight. He makes these predictions on a week-by-week basis, knowing the results that have gone before.
Luckily, his predictions simply highlight that most pundits cannot accept the club is on the rise. And everyone involved is fine with that, because an underdog status only provides more motivation.