Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Chelsea v Scunthorpe

Mark Lawrenson is tipping Chelsea to ease to a comfortable victory when they host Scunthorpe United in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

The west London side kicked off 2016 with a victory as they secured an impressive 3-0 win at Crystal Palace in a much improved performance from Guus Hiddink’s men.

The Blues have struggled to string together a consistent series of results so far this season and are currently languishing in 14th place in the Premier League table after Jose Mourinho’s sacking last month.

However, former Liverpool man Lawrenson is fully expecting to see the Blues record a comfortable victory over the visitors in the cup clash this weekend.

Lawrenson told BBC Sport: “Chelsea went out at home to Bradford in round four last season but I don’t see lightning striking twice when Scunthorpe go to Stamford Bridge.

“The Blues have improved since Guus Hiddink took charge, and their fringe players will have too much for Scunthorpe.”

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Chelsea, who won the league and League Cup under Mourinho last season, are through to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain next month.

The Blues lifted the FA Cup when Hiddink was last in charge in the 2008-09 season.