Mark Lawrenson has predicted on BBC Sport that Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea will beat Dean Smith’s Aston Villa this weekend.
Chelsea will take on Villa at Stamford Bridge in London in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Liverpool legend Lawrenson believes that the Blues will pick up all three points from the encounter courtesy of a 2-0 win.
However, the BBC pundit believes that Chelsea could have a problem in their quest to win the match if Romelu Lukaku does not recover in time.
The former Manchester United striker has been struggling with a thigh problem, but he did train at Cobham on Thursday.
Lawrenson wrote on BBC Sport: “I was impressed by Chelsea in their draw with Liverpool before the international break – they were the better side with 11 men and they still did well when they were down to 10.
“Aston Villa won’t lack energy or effort but the Blues should be too strong for them.
“The only issue Chelsea may have is if their £97.5m striker Romelu Lukaku doesn’t recover from a thigh problem he picked up playing for Belgium last week, although it does not sound too serious.”
A footnote added: “Lawro’s prediction: 2-0”.
Aston Villa cannot be written off
Chelsea have won two of of their three Premier League games so far this season.
Lukaku has already been among the goals, and it is very likely that the Belgium international will be involved against Villa.
Moreover, the Blues have home advantage.
However, Villa’s chances of winning or drawing at Stamford Bridge cannot be written off.
After all, the Villans do have a good team.
Yes, Dean Smith’s side have lost to Watford and have drawn with Brentford in the Premier League, but they can certainly give Chelsea a run for their money.
Villa will head into the match against Chelsea as the ‘underdogs’, and that could play into their hands.
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