Swansea host Chelsea in this Premier League clash on Sunday and it is a crucial one for both sides as Chelsea battle to stay in the title race and Swansea try to earn the three or four more points they need to ensure top flight survival for another year.
Chelsea came back from 3-1 down from the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain to win 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and earn their passage to the semi-finals of the Champions League, and that victory will have boosted morale no end.
Prior to that fine display that was full of guts and energy, Chelsea put a comparatively poor run behind them in their last Premier League match when waltzing past in-form Stoke 3-0 at the Bridge but it is their away form that has been the problem, both recently and throughout the season. On home soil they have dropped just four points and remain unbeaten but on their travels they have lost at Palace, Villa, Stoke, Newcastle and Everton, whilst a draw at West Brom was also a sub-standard result.
They have actually lost their last three away from the Bridge in all competitions, winning just one of the last five. That has to offer some hope to the home fans, especially after they won their last game at the Liberty 3-0 against Norwich in fine style. They were unable to build on that though and last time out went down 1-0 at Hull and with just 33 points from their 33 games they still have some work to do to secure their top flight status for another season.
They are unlikely to get the win here and whilst it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise, we think the visitors will continue the momentum they gained from back to back victories. The Blues have to win and we fancy that Jose Mourinho will not tolerate or allow any more slips on the road at so-called lesser clubs.
Earlier in the campaign Chelsea won the reverse fixture just 1-0 and we could see a similar result here. Chelsea have the best defence in the top flight and the home side will find it difficult to score as the Pensioners look to add to their six clean sheets on the road. Mourinho will hope to control the game from the off but that will be hard against a Swansea side who like to keep possession and we think the pattern of the game will be based on Chelsea playing on the break whilst remaining tight at the back.
We feel it won’t all be one-way traffic in this one and the Swans could well nick a goal to give the visitors something to think about. But ultimately we believe Mourinho’s men will have enough to cruise to a win to keep their hopes of a Champions League and Premier League double alive.
LCN Verdict: Chelsea to win 3-1