Chelsea host Aston Villa on Sunday in a huge game in the race for Champions League qualification and Premier League legend Alan Shearer has made his prediction.
The Blues have made a very good start to the season and currently find themselves fourth in the league and on course to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition.
However, the table is very tight and Chelsea are just three points ahead of Villa in eighth, who have won their last two visits to Stamford Bridge.
Shearer makes Chelsea vs Aston Villa prediction
The Blues recored a much needed win against Leicester last time out having headed into that game with just one win from their last five games.
Enzo Maresca has been handed a boost with the news that both Pedro Neto and Malo Gusto should be available having missed the trip to the King Power Stadium.
Chelsea have only lost two of their 12 league games this season and a win could see them end the weekend as high as second depending on what happens in Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City.
Villa haven’t won in the league since their win against Fulham on October 19th, but they will pose a tough test for the Blues.
“Aston Villa are on a bit of a tough run at the moment, they were very unfortunate against Juventus, and Chelsea are on the up and looking strong,” Shearer told The Metro.
“I think I’ll go for a Chelsea win with the form they’re in. I think they’ll take the points. Prediction: Chelsea win.”
Maresca will likely make 11 changes from the team that beat Heidenheim 2-0 on Thursday evening but it’s unlikely Filip Jorgensen will keep his place, despite Peter Crouch believing he deserves a chance in the Premier League.
The game with Villa starts a run of three matches in seven days with Chelsea travelling to Southampton on Wednesday before a huge game away at Tottenham next Sunday.
