Pep Guardiola's City have dropped just two points in their 12 league matches this season and have been almost unstoppable in attack, scoring 40 times.
That run of form has seen them open an eight-point gap to Manchester United at the top of the table, with defending champions Chelsea trailing Jose Mourinho's side by a further point.
Chelsea have managed to progress through their Champions League group, however, with the 3-0 defeat at Roma the only major blemish and they are still on track to finish top after Wednesday's 4-0 win over Qarabag. And Lampard suspects that Chelsea, who face Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, are probably more capable of getting close to European success this term than they are domestically.
Speaking thanks to Chelsea club partners Yokohama Tyres, Lampard said: "This year is going to be difficult, I think, because Manchester City started so well.
"The reality is that City have opened up the league and I think the chance for Chelsea will be in the Champions League.
"I think they will be competitive and Chelsea have to be savage to be in the top four at the end of the year, and keep playing Champions League football."