Chelsea might be the team to beat in the Barclays Premier League after their comfortable 2-0 win over Newcastle last weekend coincided with Manchester City dropping points at Goodison Park. The Liberty Stadium has already witnessed Arsenal’s demise, but Chelsea have the strength in depth to be able to play a free-flowing passing game or play the physical, no-nonsense football. Swansea may have lost their star striker to City’s title rivals, but victories over Manchester United and Arsenal this season is a testament to the fact that the outfit from Wales are no pushovers.
Let’s take a look at the side Jose Mourinho might send out to get the job done at the Liberty Stadium.
Goalkeeper – Petr Cech
Thibaut Courtois is available for selection after recovering from his finger injury, but Mourinho might stick with Cech, just to make sure Courtois is fully fit and available for the big game against Manchester City in the following week.
Defence – Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Luis.
If there’s a back four solid enough to draw a blank at the toughest of away venues in the country, look no further. Chelsea’s defence have done little to disappoint Jose Mourinho who insists on keeping things tight at the back. The marauding Branislav Ivanovic down the right, the central defensive partnership of John Terry and Gary Cahill. However the industrious and consistent Cesar Azpilicueta misses out with a groin injury, leaving Filipe Luis to fill in down the left flank. Tons of experience, strength and power at the back.
Midfield – Fabregas, Matic, Schurrle, Willian, Hazard.
Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic will be deployed as the two pivots with the Spaniard being given a greater license to move forward and link up with the attackers.
Andre Schurrle’s infectious energy, work ethic and goalscoring prowess should see him get the nod for this one ahead of Oscar with Willian moving to the No.10 role. Eden Hazard has been in sizzling form this season and should be a contsant menace down the left flank.
Forward – Diego Costa
Diego Costa seems to be getting back to his best form. A poor first half vs Newcastle was followed by an improved display in the second as he kept plugging away, and got himself on the score sheet. His physical game shouldn’t go down too well with the Swansea team, so expect Costa to be in the thick of the action all night long.
