The Match
Swansea go into our first game since Wilfried Bony's departure was made official, which means there's a massive opportunity to be had for Bafetimbi Gomis. Solid against West Ham, he was unlucky not to be credited with a goal and will be relishing the opportunity of proving himself as Swansea's number one striker. With Ki still away on international duty & Shelvey still suspended Swansea's midfield will definitely be on the shorter side once again, so expect us to try and retain possession at all costs in order to not become involved in a physical battle.
Chelsea are a much different beast away from the fortress-esque Stamford Bridge home. Indeed at home they've only conceded three goals in ten games - two of which were against us - while away they've conceded sixteen in eleven. That said, they'll surely expect victory in South Wales, and having conceded five the last time they stepped out away from home they'll be keen to put in a solid showing.
Prior Form
Sourced from whoscored.com
Completely guessed lineups
Team News
Chelsea have Azpilicueta out with a groin strain, while Cech is likely to continue in place of Courtois due to a minor thumb problem.
From http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php
Statistics & Trivia
- Chelsea are unbeaten in all seven Premier League meetings with Swansea (W5, D2).
- The Blues have drawn on two of their last three league trips to the Liberty Stadium. They also drew 0-0 in the League Cup two seasons ago.
- Swansea have not beaten Chelsea in the league in nine attempts since a 3-0 victory in April 1981.
- Swansea are winless in three league matches since beating Aston Villa on Boxing Day (D2, L1).
- Garry Monk's side have scored in each of their last 11 league games, their best-ever top flight run. They last fared better in any division with a 14-game scoring streak in League One seven seasons ago.
- Five of Swansea's six home wins have come when they have kept a clean sheet.
- The Swans' woodwork has been struck 14 times this season - a league-high.
- Former striker Wilfried Bony scored or set up six of Swansea's last 11 Premier League goals.
- Chelsea have only earned five away points from the last 15 available (W1, D2, L2). They had previously taken 14 points out of a possible 18 from their opening six away matches (W4, D2).
- The Blues have conceded eight goals in their last four away games, half of their season total on the road.
- Each of the last six victories for Jose Mourinho's side have come when they have kept a clean sheet.
- Chelsea have scored the opening goal in 15 of their 21 league matches, equal-highest with Manchester City.
- Diego Costa scored a hat-trick in September's reverse fixture. It was the last time he scored more than once in a league match.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Garry Monk is looking to hit the high standards we set in the first half at Stamford Bridge earlier this season:
"I thought we were fantastic for 45 minutes that day. I can guarantee if you watch any of Chelsea's home games there wouldn't have been many who did what we did in that 45.
"It's about trying to continue that performance over a longer period. We know we will have to spend periods defending and do it well, but the difference with Chelsea and the rest is their individual quality.
"You can set up and do very well tactically but sometimes they have that individual quality to disrupt it all. It's not about riding our luck but coming through certain periods and then imposing ourselves on the game.
"We're at home, in front of our crowd where we have done well this season.
"We want to get on the front foot. We're under no illusions how hard it's going to be but it's a challenge for all of us."
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Swansea-City-boss-Garry-Monk-hails-Chelsea-s-star/story-25880691-detail/story.html?#ixzz3P4gqPHIe
Analysis
For the first time in a while, I'm not actually confident we'll be able to get three points. As mentioned on this week's The JackCast though, that's more to do with Chelsea than it is to do with us.
Key in getting any kind of result will be not committing too many men forward. I can see Chelsea allowing us possession - with Carroll & Britton in midfield they may not be the ones deciding how much we retain the ball - but on the counter attack they are absolutely lethal. We need to make sure we don't overcommit going forward, lest we get sucker-punched on the break.
Federico Fernandez has been on man-marking duty for a few weeks now, and expect that to continue against Diego Costa. This is one matchup I'm intrigued by, as the Argentinian defender has been awesome of late, and will relish testing himself against a brute like Fernandez. How this contest goes could well be key in deciding the outcome of the match.
Up top for the Swans Gomis should continue with Wilf having departed for Man City, and hopefully he can continue his improving form.
As mentioned, I'm not confident, but I'll stick to form and pick a 3-1 Swans win. No logic, pure bias. Come on you Swans! You never know, maybe if Gomis scores a hat-trick his agent will finally wind his neck in...