Chelsea have had a hectic start to the season, with Graham Potter replacing Thomas Tuchel but still find themselves fourth in the Premier League after ten matches. While early matches against the likes of Leeds and Southampton looked to tarnish the Blues' credentials, things finally seemed to have settled in place.
Potter is undefeated in his opening six fixtures as Chelsea head coach and the west London side have notched up four clean sheets in a row. October provides a testing month and difficult home fixtures against Manchester United and Arsenal await, with a return trip to Brighton sandwiched in the middle. Injuries to Reece James and N'Golo Kante are far from idea but with Potter's side currently eight points behind Arsenal, they won't want to lose more ground on the leading pack ahead of the World Cup.
With five Premier League games remaining until the stoppage in club football, Chelsea's football.london writers predict the remaining league results before the month-long break for the Blues.
READ MORE: Every word Graham Potter said on Brentford vs Chelsea, team news, Kepa, Zakaria, Silva and Mount
Adam Newson
The Premier League fixtures Chelsea will play prior to the World Cup are far from easy – and given Reece James and N'Golo Kante will be absent for them all, it's difficult to envisage the Blues taking maximum points from the 15 available.
I feel tomorrow's clash against Brentford will be a tricky one and the visit of Manchester United won't be easy, although the players will be undoubtedly up for that one. Brighton represents an interesting challenge for Potter given he will know the Seagulls' players inside out while Arsenal have caused Chelsea problems in recent seasons.
A trip to Newcastle is the final match before the World Cup and it's difficult to know how players will perform given the game's grandest competition will kick off less than ten days later.
Newson's predictions:
Brentford (a) - Win
Manchester United (H) - Draw
Brighton & Hove Albion (a) - Win
Arsenal (H) - Draw
Newcastle (a) - Win
HAVE YOUR SAY! Do you agree with our predictions? Leave a comment with your thoughts on Chelsea's next 5.
Bobby Vincent
Chelsea's next five matches are very difficult on paper. Despite their perfect October so far, there could be some points dropped. It's nothing to be ashamed of because the likelihood of the Blues picking up maximum points in what is a hectic month was always going to be low.
Manchester United have shown signs of being a rejuvenated side under Erik ten Hag and they could cause Chelsea a few issues at the weekend. Arsenal are looking like the best team in the division so far this season and Newcastle United now looks like a tough place to go once again.
Vincent's predictions:
Brentford (a) - Chelsea win
Manchester United (H) - Chelsea win
Brighton & Hove Albion (a) - Chelsea win
Arsenal (H) - Draw
Newcastle (a) - Draw
Daniel Childs
The first half of Chelsea's display at Villa Park gave Potter reasons to be concerned, along with starting to live without Reece James before the World Cup will pose issues against better opposition.
But Chelsea have shown an improvement since Potter took charge, mainly in attack that is showing a willingness to take more risks in build-up and variation to go more direct with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang settling in nicely. That can hopefully maintain a production of goals coming with Mason Mount starting to find some influence again. Arsenal and Manchester United naturally stand out, beating neither at home last season, a win in either would be a big landmark early on in Potter's reign.
Childs's predictions:
Brentford (a) - Chelsea win
Manchester United (H) - Chelsea win
Brighton & Hove Albion (a) - Chelsea win
Arsenal (H) - Draw
Newcastle (a) - Draw
Scott Trotter
Graham Potter's results since becoming Chelsea boss could barely be better and in the middle of the busiest month of the season, the Blues will be hoping to maintain that 100% Premier League record. The win against Aston Villa showed the Blues could win in difficult circumstances but it did illustrate coping without Reece James will be difficult.
Manchester United are improved and managed two draws last term, Newcastle have drawn more than anyone else in the league, Arsenal are setting the early pace while Brentford and Brighton presented some of Chelsea's most difficult matches last term. Momentum will be of huge benefit as the month wears on but each of the next five games will present challenges and if Chelsea can come through unbeaten it will be a big success.
Trotter's predictions:
Brentford (a) - Chelsea win
Manchester United (H) - Draw
Brighton & Hove Albion (a) - Chelsea win
Arsenal (H) - Draw
Newcastle (a) - Draw
Do you agree with these predictions? Leave a comment and join the debate!
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