Why in heaven’s name is Manchester United so low in the Premier League standings? Swansea sure did its part with an enormous upset of the Red Devils to start off Premier League action. On Saturday, Swansea will have another chance to claim the head of another soccer powerhouse when they meet Chelsea on the pitch.
While Chelsea and Swansea contest the coveted top spot in the Premier League, Manchester City and Arsenal will be playing catch up. You can view the preview of the defending champions’ match here. In the meantime, read on for a breakdown of this EPL match.
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Chelsea vs. Swansea Betting Preview and Prediction
Where: Stamford Bridge, Fulham, London
When: Saturday, September 13, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Swansea +1,000 at Chelsea +525, tie +450; total 3.0 – view all EPL lines
What’s at Stake?
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Both Chelsea and Swansea are enjoying three-straight wins to start off their 2014-2015 English Premier League seasons. Chelsea dispatched Burnley, Leicester and Everton for their nine points, while Swansea scalped Manchester United, Burnley and West Bromwich Albion. With the two sides meeting for their fourth match of the season, sole possession of first place will be at stake.
Betting on Chelsea
Chelsea’s acquisition of Diego Costa is paying off big time as the Spanish forward has now scored four of Chelsea’s 11 Premier League goals in their first three matches.
Costa immediately went into overdrive, scoring his third Premier League goal just 37 seconds after the start of their match against Everton on August 31. He scored again in the dying minutes of the match to give his team a 6-3 win in a tough game away from home. Aside from Costa, right back Branislav Ivanovic, and defensive midfielders Nemanja Matic and Ramires rounded up the scoring for Chelsea.
Despite scoring so many goals, Chelsea’s defense left much to be desired. They allowed Everton a total of 16 shots, three of which were converted into goals. Their aggression left them very open to the counter-attack as they surrendered plenty of fouls around the penalty area. If Ivanovic continues to hunt for goals rather than defend, then Swansea will have no problem using the open right wing for an attack.
Chelsea are undefeated in 28 of their last 29 home matches in the Premier League.
Betting on Swansea
Swansea’s midfield is currently brimming with talent. Gylfi Sigurdsson, who was reacquired by the club this summer, has embraced his role as a playmaker. He has already scored a goal and set up four others in his first three games with the Swans. Meanwhile, Nathan Dyer currently leads Swansea with three goals, while Ki Sung-Yueng and Wayne Routledge both have one goal each.
Up front, the Swans have Wilfried Bony and Bafétimbi Gomis as proven strikers. This devastating talent on the attack saw Swansea rise to the top of the Premier League after winning three-straight games.
To back-up their talented attacking front, Swansea have center back Ashley Williams taking care of their side of the field. Williams is an accurate passer with an accuracy of 90.6 percent. He also has no problems fighting while the ball is flying overhead, winning three aerial duels per game. All their talent ensures Swansea a well-rounded starting XI on the pitch.
Swansea will face their toughest test to date when they enter hostile territory as they go against Chelsea in Stamford Bridge. Still, the last time they played away from home, they felled the Premier League giants Manchester United. The Swans certainly won’t be lacking the confidence needed to excel at this level.
With Chelsea possessing so much quality going forward, expect Swansea to play more conservatively. They’ll be able to crowd out the midfield to wrest possession of the ball. Meanwhile, they’ll be patiently waiting for Chelsea’s defense to unravel for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Swansea have won six of their last seven matches in the Premier League.
Writer’s Prediction
Swansea will put up a spirited effort to find the back of the net. Meanwhile Chelsea will fire back for a late equalizer. It’s going to be an exciting, back-and-forth match, but take this to end in a tie (+450) at 1-1.
