Swansea - Match Preview

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Venue

Chelsea host Swansea at the Bridge on Boxing Day, Thursday, December 26th in the 18th round of the EPL.

The Match

Despite not being able to replicate some of the performances of last season especially against the big boys in the league, Swansea have still managed to maintain their mid-table position away from the drop zone like they have done since their promotion to the EPL two and a half seasons ago. But with just one win in their last five and Chelsea and City in their next three fixtures, Michael Laudrup will know that his team will inevitable join the relegation battle unless they pick up some points soon. That is why it would not be a surprise if the Swans had their minds on their game against Villa two days later rather than the tough game at the Bridge.

Chelsea, on the other hand, cannot afford to drop points with how tight things are at the top. With the top five teams interchanging positions in every round, Chelsea can finish the day anywhere from top of the league to fifth. The Blues will also be fancying their chances at home against this out-of-form Swansea team that is largely weakened by injuries. But Jose Mourinho will also be more worried about the game at the weekend against Liverpool and is likely to take advantage of the great squad depth and rest a few players.

Team News

Swansea find themselves in serious trouble injury-wise. Their main man, Michu, has been playing through injury and will most likely require surgery. Keeper Michael Vorm is also injured and won’t play along with key player and top scorer Nathan Dyer. Varquez and Monk will also be out for this match leaving the Swansea squad very thin.

In contrast, Chelsea have no injury issues apart from the long-term injury to Marco Van Ginkel and the mystery injury to Ryan Bertrand.

Expected lineup

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Iva, Luiz, JT, Cole; Ramires, Lamprd; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres.

Swansea (4-2-3-1): Termmel; Rangel, Williams, Chico, Davies; Shelvey, Canas; Hernanez, De Guzman, Lamah; Bony.

Key men: Lord Voldemort (a.k.a. Jonjo Shelvey) has been one of the standout players for the Swans this season, especially in the past few weeks. The ex-Liverpool man has relished his new box-to-box role giving Swansea an extra man in attack often to very good effect. Jonjo has been helped by the reassuring presence of Jose Canas who himself has been vital to the Swans; often the man with the most completed passes and defensive actions on the pitch. De Guzman is the man that makes things tick for Swansea in the final third with the most key passes in the team (23).

Facts and Stats

- Chelsea have been reduced to 10 men in three of their last 6 meetings with Swansea.

- Chelsea took part in the highest scoring EPL match on December 26. A 4-4 draw with Villa in 2007.

- Frank Lampard has played more games on December 26 than any other player in the history of the EPL (15).

- Gerhard Tremmel has conceded a goal every 40 minutes on average this season in the EPL.

- Despite Chelsea’s shaky form they have won seven of their last 10 home fixtures with middle-third clubs, drawing the other 3.

- Only Man City have picked up more points at home than Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea (22).

- The Portuguese manager is also defending a 68-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League, a record.

- Swansea have won just 1 of their last 5 league matches and have lost 8 of their last 10 away encounters with top-six clubs.

- They have won only twice in their 13 matches against the Blues in all competitions.

Match Odds

According to SkyBet, the match odds are: Chelsea 1/3 Draw 4/1 Swansea 17/2

Coverage

The game will be live on BBC One in the UK, DirecTV in the US and Al Jazeera +2 in the Middle East and North Africa. You can see where the game is live in your country here.

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[bushman 2,043]

OK 19,

your bombastic outlook on the game ?

No more 4-3-3 ?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

OK 19,

your bombastic outlook on the game ?

No more 4-3-3 ?

No I don't think we'll go with 4-3-3 again because we'll struggle to create much. Plus, Jose will be looking to rotate a bit and we don't exactly have a whole lot of talent at CM. He'll want to keep at least one of Frank, Rami and Mikel fresh for Liverpool, imo.

But regardless of whom we put out, we should be able to get the points. Swansea are in bad form and missing a lot of key players.

[bushman 2,043]

No I don't think we'll go with 4-3-3 again because we'll struggle to create much. Plus, Jose will be looking to rotate a bit and we don't exactly have a whole lot of talent at CM. He'll want to keep at least one of Frank, Rami and Mikel fresh for Liverpool, imo.

But regardless of whom we put out, we should be able to get the points. Swansea are in bad form and missing a lot of key players.

So I assume, an all out attack is ordered today ? Perhaps, we might even see KDB on the pitch ?

[Fulham Broadway 16,920]

Swansea have had some good managers recently that have left and gone on to manage both scouse teams successfully.

Good piece Choulo, and we will win today. (Just a small thing, its not live on BBC).

[CHOULO19 24,332]

So I assume, an all out attack is ordered today ? Perhaps, we might even see KDB on the pitch ?

I think Kevin (and probably Ryan) are already out of the club, unfortunately. The most he'll get today, imo, is an appearance off the bench.

(Just a small thing, its not live on BBC).

Oops. That's what it says on the site though..