Chelsea restored their two-point advantage at the top of the Premier League standings with a two-goal victory Saturday over Newcastle. They will look to stretch their lead even further when they face a Swansea side that is in the midst of a three-game winless streak.
Read on for a complete preview of this showdown and while you’re at it, you can check out our preview of the big clash between Arsenal and Manchester City here that will help decide how the top of the table looks come Sunday.
[sc:Soccer ]Chelsea vs. Swansea Betting Preview
Where: Liberty Stadium, Swansea
When: Saturday, January 17, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Chelsea (-250) at Swansea (+570), tie +305; total 2.5 – view all EPL lines
Betting on Chelsea
Chelsea regained sole possession of first place in the English Premier League following their 2-0 conquest of Newcastle on Saturday. The Blues survived a furious opening salvo by the Magpies to go two points clear of Manchester City in the title race.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]It was a sluggish start for Jose Mourinho’s men as they saw Newcastle dominate possession in the opening half hour of the match. Moussa Sissoko had the best chance for Newcastle when his shot hit the post but he was left to rue that miss when Oscar slotted home a cross from Branislav Ivanovic in the 43rd minute to give Chelsea a surprise 1-0 lead at the break.
With the Magpies chasing the game in the second half, the Blues were given more space to maneuover and it showed in their offense as they played with more purpose and intent with their attack. Diego Costa put the outcome beyond doubt when he doubled Chelsea’s advantage in the 59th minute, drilling home Oscar’s delightful backheel pass.
Costa has been phenomenal for the Blues this season scoring a total of 15 goals in his first year with the club. That is the best mark in the entire Premier League this year and he will fancy his chances of adding more goals to his account when the Blues take on Swansea this coming Saturday.
Chelsea last faced Swansea back in September with the Blues handing out a 4-2 thumping at Stamford Bridge. Leading the way for Chelsea then was Diego Costa who grabbed his first ever Premier League hat-trick in that match.
He is expected once again to lead the line for the Blues who have scored 22 goals on the road this season, second-best in the entire Premier League.
The Blues are 1-2-2 in their last five away games.
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Betting on Swansea
Swansea came back from a goal down to earn a priceless point against West Ham Saturday and protect their strong home record at the Liberty Stadium. Bafetimbi Gomis was the hero for the Swans as his header in the 73rd minute was bungled in by West Ham defender Mark Noble to give Swansea the precious 1-1 draw.
The Swans are now ninth in the Premier League table with 30 points, just seven points behind Manchester United for the final Champions League place. If they are to contend for a European spot this year, they will need Gomis to deliver the goods now that their main striker Wilfried Bony is gone for good after being sold to Manchester City for a fee of 28 million pounds.
Replacing Bony will be a tall task for Gomis considering that Bony has been superb for Swansea, scoring nine goals in 22 appearances for the Swans this season. Gomis, however, has shown signs that he can replicate the exploits of Bony as he has scored three goals in his last two starts for the club.
Even Swans manager Garry Monk was impressed with Gomis, saying “he offered more mobility and more movement than Bony” in the game against West Ham. It is crucial now for Swansea to adjust their style of play quickly to accommodate Gomis’ skill set which is vastly different to Bony’s.
The Swans will have their work cut out for them, though, this coming Saturday as they will face Premier League leaders Chelsea in a mouth-watering clash at Liberty Stadium. The Blues are the second-best defensive team in the league, allowing a total of 19 goals this season. The good news for the Swans, though, is that the Blues are struggling for form on the road at the present time.
The Blues are coming off a tough 5-3 defeat to Tottenham in their last away game at White Hart Lane. Their poor form on the road has been going on for some time now as Jose Mourinho’s men have won just once in their last five travels with the Blues collecting just five points out of a possible 15.
The Swans are 2-1-2 in their last five games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Chelsea wins, 1-0.
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