Club football returns this weekend, and that means it is the start of a pivotal run-in for Chelsea, beginning with an FA Cup quarter-final against Port Vale. Peter Crouch has predicted the result.
Liam Rosenior is under enormous pressure. Having lost his last four games as Chelsea manager, twice to PSG and twice in the Premier League against Newcastle and Everton, the stakes are high for the gaffer.
The Blues manager has been linked with the sack, and he needs wins on the board, not just to keep Chelsea’s hopes of silverware alive, but to qualify for next season’s instalment of the Champions League.
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Rosenior has lost seven of 19 games in charge, the same as Graham Potter after his first 19 games as Chelsea boss. Potter would only last 12 more. Rosenior needs wins, starting with Port Vale on Saturday.
Peter Crouch predicts Chelsea will win, then changes his mind
On The Peter Crouch Podcast, former England and Liverpool striker Crouch gave his prediction for the Saturday evening clash at Stamford Bridge. On paper, a nice draw for Chelsea against a League One side.
The Blues have home advantage against the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition. Initially, Crouch predicted a 3-0 win for Chelsea, telling Rosenior to start his best players and get an early lead.
Peter Crouch working as a pundit for TNT Sports in a Premier League match.
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“Really interesting game this. I don’t know how you play this, I’d play a really strong team and pull them off early. Go two or three up, take two or three off early. That’s how I’d play it. I think they will win it, 3-0.”
But after listening to a voice note from presenter Chris Stark, who also predicted 3-0, Crouch decided to change his mind and back a 1-0 Vale win: “I’m tempted to back Port Vale. I’ll swap mine, 1-0 Port Vale.”
Steve Sidwell predicts Port Vale to score, but Chelsea to win
Former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell, who has become famous for his role on the podcast alongside Crouch and Stark, also gave his prediction. He expects his old side to win, and score four in the process.
But clean sheets have been a problem for Rosenior’s men, keeping three in his 19 games as manager – and two of those three came against Championship side Hull City and Pafos, a 1-0 win in Europe.
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Sidwell predicted a 4-1 win: “There’s a potential banana skin here. He’s done really well at Chelsea, there are people out there waiting for him to slip up and that can’t happen in this game. He has to go strong.
“The dream scenario is to get a lead and be tactical with it. It’s a big end to the season in the race for the Champions League, financially too. I can’t see them losing. I’m going to go for a 4-1 Chelsea victory.”
After the clash against Port Vale, Chelsea have it tough. They take on both Manchester clubs, back-to-back. But perhaps, after what should be an easy win against Vale, confidence might return somewhat.
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