Former England striker Peter Crouch has backed Chelsea to beat Arsenal 3-2 in their third-round English championship meeting on 6 September.
Crouch’s prediction gives Chelsea the narrowest possible advantage in what is expected to be a closely contested match between two sides who have made strong starts to the campaign. Both teams have taken six points from their opening matches and are part of the group at the top of the standings.
The former footballer also drew attention to Chelsea’s attacking potential, with Joao Pedro receiving particular mention in his assessment. Crouch’s view is that the quality available in Chelsea’s forward play could prove decisive against Arsenal, despite the expectation of a competitive encounter.
The match will be played on 6 September, with the two clubs entering the fixture level on points. Their identical totals mean the result could have an immediate impact on the leading group, while Crouch’s 3-2 forecast points to an open game rather than a cautious contest.
Chelsea’s reported attacking threat is central to the prediction. By highlighting Joao Pedro, Crouch identified one player in particular when discussing the London club’s options in the final third. His assessment suggests he believes Chelsea have enough potency to score three times and withstand Arsenal’s response.
Arsenal and Chelsea will therefore meet with both teams seeking to maintain their position among the leaders. The fixture is the third-round match in the English championship, and the six-point totals held by each side add further significance to the contest.
Crouch, a former England international striker, has ultimately chosen Chelsea to come out on top by a single goal. His projected scoreline is 3-2, a result that would preserve Chelsea’s perfect start while handing Arsenal their first setback of the campaign.
The prediction was reported by Goal.