Pundit Charlie Nicholas has predicted that Chelsea will lose to Leicester in their first home game under Frank Lampard.
There have been encouraging signs against Manchester United and Liverpool, despite the 4-0 defeat at Old Trafford last Sunday.
But former Arsenal striker Nicholas, in his predictions for Sky Sports, has tipped Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester to leave Stamford Bridge with all three points.
“I see pain and suffering for Chelsea,” said Nicholas, who predicted a 2-1 win for Leicester.
“Frank Lampard is playing youth team players at Old Trafford because he is left with no other scenario, but his anger at not being able to drag people off the treatment room is a reflection of where Chelsea are but also where Leicester are.
“Ross Barkley will struggle here, because Leicester keep the ball well and move it, so he will see less of the ball to make things happen. It has been a change of circumstances at Leicester and massively so at Chelsea. This weekend is about Lampard getting his team over the line. It is going to be a rollercoaster ride of a season and they will not make the top four.
“I am going to go for a surprise score in this one. This is not a negative throw towards Lampard, I wish him well. This team will just take time to truly understand what they are, and they will be more exposed at home than away from home in my opinion.”
Nicholas also tipped Manchester City to beat Tottenham 4-1 but reckons his former club Arsenal will beat Burnley 2-1.