Mark Lawrenson states his prediction for Chelsea FC v Leicester
BBC Sport pundit Mark Lawrenson is tipping Chelsea FC to secure their first Premier League win under Frank Lampard against Leicester City
Mark Lawrenson believes Frank Lampard will record his first Premier League victory as Chelsea FC manager against Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues suffered a 4-0 loss to bitter rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford last weekend to make a disappointing start to the Premier League season.
Lampard’s side were a tad unfortunate after the Blues hit the woodwork twice in the first half before goals from Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James sealed an emphatic win for the home side.
Chelsea FC striker Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock in the Uefa Super Cup before Jorginho’s penalty restored parity in extra time after Sadio Mane scored twice in Istanbul.
Liverpool FC won the Uefa Super Cup thanks to their penalty shootout success after Chelsea FC youngster Tammy Abraham missed the decisive spot-kick.
Leicester played out a goalless stalemate with Wolves in their Premier League opener at the King Power Stadium last weekend.
Former Liverpool FC defender Lawrenson is backing Chelsea FC to secure a narrow 2-1 win against Brendan Rodgers’ side on Sunday afternoon.
“For half an hour at the very least, Chelsea were the better team at Old Trafford on Sunday,” Lawrenson told BBC Sport.
“You could look at the 4-0 scoreline and think the Blues were battered, but they weren’t.
“They are going to have to be a lot tighter defensively against the other top teams, though, and while it was great to see Blues boss Frank Lampard play some younger players, there is a danger you can play too many.
“It was a bold selection, but I think it was too bold.”
Lawrenson added: “Things will get easier for Lampard, who has got players like Willian and Antonio Rudiger on their way back from injury and N’golo Kante not far from full fitness, but having played the Super Cup on Wednesday will not help his preparations for his first home game in charge of the Blues.
“I would still back Chelsea to take the three points though.
“Leicester will be tricky opponents but, while a lot of people seem to just assume they will have a really good season, my thinking is more along the lines of ‘wait and see’.
“I still feel like they rely too heavily on Jamie Vardy for goals. If teams sit in against them, and deny Vardy space, then who is going to make the difference in front of goal?”
Chelsea FC have conceded six times in their opening two games under club legend Frank Lampard.
The Blues added Mateo Kovacic and Christian Pulisic to their squad in the summer.
