Mark Lawrenson is tipping Chelsea to ease to victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.

The Blues were 1-0 winners against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday afternoon to extend their winning run to nine Premier League games.

Diego Costa scored a late winner after the Spain international managed to rob Gareth McAuley of possession and fire past Baggies goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The 28-year-old centre-forward has now scored 12 times in 15 Premier League appearances this season after a blistering start to the season under Antonio Conte.

Chelsea make the trip to Sunderland after nine consecutive Premier League victories, including a return of 23 goals and seven clean sheets.

Writing in his BBC Sport column, Lawrenson explained why he is backing Chelsea to make it 10 Premier League wins on the bounce.

“At the moment it feels like Chelsea can deal with whatever you throw at them.

“It won’t always be that way, but this is top versus bottom, and I don’t see Sunderland knocking them over.

“Chelsea’s performance in their win over West Brom was better in many ways than their performance when they beat Manchester City the previous weekend.

“The Blues were physically strong, which you have to be against the Baggies, and just kept probing in attack.

“When you have got somebody like Diego Costa up front, in the form he is in at the moment, then you are going to find a way through. He made that goal himself, and it was a great finish too.”

Chelsea appointed Conte as their manager earlier this year after a disappointing defence of their Premier League crown last term.

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The Blues haven’t lost a game since a 3-0 defeat at Arsenal in September.

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