Premier League: Chelsea v Swansea City match preview
A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge
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Your support makes all the difference.Chelsea are on the brink of a second successive European final following their last gasp victory over FC Basel on Thursday night, but attention now turns to their quest to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
The Stamford Bridge club face a far from straightforward run-in, with trips to Old Trafford and Villa Park, and home clashes against Tottenham and Everton alongside their European exploits. Swansea on the other hand, with their involvement in next season’s Europa League secured, have little left to play for this term.
As ever Rafa Benitez will be forced to juggle his playing resources, but will be boosted by the return of Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill from injury, while Michael Laudrup has a fully fit squad to choose from.
The fixture will be the fourth time these sides have faced each other this season due to the two-legged Capital One Cup meeting in January. The Swans prevailed over two legs to reach the final, but have won just two of their last 10 league fixtures; 1 since their 5-0 final triumph of Bradford City.
KICK-OFF: Sunday, 3pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Swansea 0-0 Chelsea, Capital One Cup, January 2013
Chelsea 0-2 Swansea (Michu, Graham), Capital One Cup, January 2013
Swansea (Pablo Hernandez) 1-1 Chelsea (Moses), November 2012
STATS…
Swansea are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Chelsea.
Swansea’s current spell of five league games without a win is their worst run in the Premier League.
Fernando Torres has gone 997 minutes without a Premier League goal for Chelsea.
Chelsea have scored more headed goals (15) than any other top-flight team this season.
ODDS…
Chelsea to win: 1.35
Swansea to win: 9
Draw: 4.75
CLASSIC MATCH...
The last time these sides met was in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final clash at the Liberty Stadium. Though the match ended goalless and signalled the Welsh club’s progression to the first major final in their history, it was also famous for an altercation between Eden Hazard and a ball boy.
TV: Highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm
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