Chelsea return from their European travels after a late winner by David Luiz against FC Basel on Thursday night puts them in poll position to reach a successive European Final.
Now though The Blues must switch focus back onto the Premier League and their quest to finish in the top four and secure Champions League qualification next season.
Swansea on the other hand are sitting in comfortably in the Barclays Premier League in 9th position and under Michael Laudrup’s leadership have gone from strength to strength playing some great football and winning the Capital One Cup.
Mark Clattenburg takes charge of his first Chelsea match since his ‘racism row’ with John Obi Mikel back in October and I am sure the referee will be looking for a quiet day at Stamford Bridge come Sunday afternoon. Clattenburg will certainly not be wanting a repeat of the last game between Chelsea and Swansea City where Eden Hazard was sent off for ‘kicking’ a ball boy at the Liberty Stadium.
Chelsea sit 4th in the league table on 62 points and after their disappointing draw against Liverpool last week which saw them concede in the 6th minute of extra time, the Blues will be wanting to bounce back with a good win.
Swansea sit 9th in the league on 42 points, clear of any signs of relegation and will enter this match knowing that they can beat Chelsea after knocking them out of the Capital One Cup earlier this year.
The last time these two teams met in the Premier League was back in November in a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium. Both teams were equally matched in the possession stakes with Swansea taking 52.2% of possession. Chances were few and far between for Chelsea as they had just three in open play whereas Swansea had seven.
Injury News
Chelsea – Romeu (knee), Gary Cahill is set to return after six-weeks on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Swansea – Situ (Achilles).
Match Facts
Fernando Torres hasn’t scored in 977 minutes in the Premier League.
Chelsea have had three players sent off against Swansea in their last three meetings.
Chelsea have not won against Swansea City in all competitions in their last four meetings, drawing three and losing one.
Recent Premier League Form
Chelsea are currently second in the Barclays Premier League form table having picked up 13 points from a possible 18, only losing to Southampton 2-1 in the last six games. Chelsea have scored 11 goals and conceded five in their last six league games, form which has put them one point away from third place Arsenal with a game in hand on the Gunners.
Swansea are 17th in the League form table picking up just five points from the 18 available, a dip in the Swans early season form which saw them as a very hard team to break down and beat. Swansea have scored five and conceded eight goals in their last six matches having lost three on the bounce against West Brom, Arsenal and Tottenham.
Summary
If recent league form is anything to go by Chelsea should run out comfortable winners however Swansea will get the ball down and try to play in their usual passing manner, a style of play that has served the Swans well this season.
Chelsea have it all to play for whereas Swansea’s season is as good as wrapped up with them sitting comfortably mid-table. This could be the deciding factor, as Chelsea must look to pick up all three points in every one of their remaining fixtures to qualify for the Champions League, the first three points may come this weekend as Stamford Bridge.
