Prediction: Swansea vs Chelsea

Verdict: Chelsea Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmakers: William Hill

Struggling Swansea welcome top four hopefuls Chelsea to the Liberty Stadium for a crucial Premier League clash between the two sides. The Swans currently sit in 17^th spot, four points above the drop zone, and need a positive result here to give themselves some breathing room. The Blues meanwhile are five points behind fourth place Tottenham and need a win to give themselves a chance of securing Champions League football for next season.

Swansea 

While they have been by no means the worst team in the Premier League this season, the Swans are teetering on the edge of relegation, with just four points separating them from 18th place Southampton. Carlos Carvalhal’s men did have a game in hand over their immediate rivals but they registered a 5-0 defeat to Manchester City, which has now given them a worse goal difference than the Saints. That defeat marked their 17^th defeat of the season – the second highest tally in the top flight – and they have managed just eight wins. Add to that their league-low 27 goals scored and you can see why Swansea are in danger.

The Swans do however have the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table, with 51 goals conceded during this campaign, and only the defeat to City has put any sort of dent in their goal difference lately. With another tough game on the cards this weekend against Chelsea, Swansea fans will likely be slightly concerned as they enter the home stretch and fight to stay in the Premier League for next season.

Team News

Federico Fernandez is a doubt due to a knock, while Luciano Narsingh will face a late fitness test due to an ankle sprain.

Elsewhere Leroy Fer (achilles), Renato Sanches (hamstring) and Wilfried Bony (ankle) are all side-lined. Tammy Abraham meanwhile cannot play against his parent club Chelsea.

Chelsea 

While Swansea have been struggling around the bottom of the table all season, Chelsea have had their own struggles further up. The reigning Premier League champions have not had such a successful season second time around under Antonio Conte and are now in real danger of missing out on a top four spot. They currently sit five points behind London rivals Tottenham, largely as a result of their wild inconsistencies. Nine defeats this season is three more than any of the team above them and it is defeats to the likes of Watford and Bournemouth that have really cost the Blues.

Recently however they have hit a decent patch of form, even if they have been forced to come from behind to win on multiple occasions. Conte’s men are now without a defeat in their last four games in a row and have scored eight times, qualifying for the FA Cup final in the process. With a lot at stake in terms of qualifying for the Champions League, Chelsea should continue their hot streak as the season draws to a close.

Team News

In defence Marcos Alonso is suspended and David Luiz is still recovering from a knee injury.

Elsewhere Ethan Ampadu is the only other absentee due to an ankle issue.

Key Factors to Consider

• Swansea are without a win in their last six games in all competitions.
• The Swans have also conceded 12 goals in that stretch of games.
• Chelsea have lost two of their last eight games in all competitions.
• The Blues have scored 13 goals across that stretch of games.
• The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 1-0 win for Chelsea.

Conclusion

Swansea have been struggling all season and they are teetering on the edge of relegation. Chelsea meanwhile have been inconsistent but generally an impressive and more than competent side. Antonio Conte’s men have a habit of conceding goals but winning anyway, and I can see that trend continuing this weekend against a Swansea side that will be fighting for a result.

Verdict: Chelsea Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 5/4

Bookmakers: William Hill