Lampard: Dominant Chelsea Premier League favourites

Frank Lampard insists Antonio Conte’s “dominant” Chelsea side are the favourites to win the Premier League title, and does not believe any side has the consistency to match the Blues.

Chelsea are currently six points clear of second-placed Liverpool at the top of the table, following their 1-0 defeat of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The Blues have lost just twice all season, with both defeats – to Liverpool and Arsenal – coming in September.

Staggeringly, since that defeat Chelsea have won all 11 of their Premier League games, scoring 25 goals and conceding just two, and Lampard, who won the league three times at Stamford Bridge, is sure that they have the staying power to maintain their title challenge.

"As a Chelsea man it is great to see, all credit to everybody there,” he said in an interview with 'Sky Sports'.

"The manager obviously changed the system after a defeat at Arsenal.

"Nobody would have fancied them to be anywhere near winning the League at that point and now they look the dominant team.

"I don't like to tempt fate but I can't see anyone who has got the consistency to close the gap, so I fancy Chelsea strongly now".

While Liverpool lead the chasing pack Manchester City are also in the title hunt, a point further behind the Reds, with Arsenal in fourth, nine points adrift.

And Lampard believes that Pep Guardiola’s side could yet prove a thorn in Chelsea’a side.

"[Man] City are in a decent position," he added when asked which side were Chelsea’s main rivals.

"And there are teams with quality for sure - City, I think Liverpool are very good to watch this year, and Arsenal.

"I think those will be the group chasing but with Chelsea, when you take that kind of a gap into Christmas, I think barring suspensions or injuries to top players like [Eden] Hazard and [Diego] Costa, I fancy them to carry it through".

Chelsea will look to resume their challenge when they face Bournemouth on Boxing Day, though they will be without the suspended Costa.