Five-time English top-flight winner Mark Lawrenson believes Chelsea's clash against West Ham United this weekend will end in a 1-1 draw. The Blues will welcome the Hammers to Stamford Bridge for a much-anticipated Premier League encounter on Sunday (April 24).
Both clubs will enter this contest on the back of disappointing results. Thomas Tuchel's side fell to a 4-2 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Arsenal , while David Moyes' men could only draw 1-1 with relegation-threatened Burnley at home.
Liverpool legend Lawrenson noted that Chelsea looked defensively vulnerable in their defeat against Arsenal. He was also not convinced by Tuchel's post-match excuses and wrote in his column for the BBC:
"Chelsea were extremely vulnerable at the back against Arsenal on Wednesday, which was strange to see. Afterwards, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel blamed the pitch for some awkward bounces, but I don't buy that. That might have been an excuse in the 1970s or 1980s because surfaces could be terrible then - but not now."
The 64-year-old believes West Ham could benefit from the rest they got in midweek after successive weeks of action in the UEFA Europa League. He opined:
"West Ham have got a big game to look forward to next Thursday, with their Europa League semi-final against Eintracht Frankfurt, but they will benefit from having a rare midweek off before this game."
Lawrenson concluded by adding that the Hammers could draw some joy from this match. He said:
"David Moyes' side had started to look a little bit leggy but the rest will do them good. They have already taken points off Chelsea this season when they beat them at London Stadium in December, and I think they will have some joy here too."
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