Strongest Chelsea lineup To Face Swansea City – Schurrle To Replace Injured Hazard

Chelsea strongest lineup to face Swansea City

After a superb 2-0 win over French Champions Paris St Germain in midweek, which enabled Chelsea to advance through to the semi finals of the Champions League, the Blues now turn attention to Premier League assignments as they travel to Wales to take on a hot and cold Swansea side. Chelsea are two points adrift Liverpool in the Premier League table, in second position and must be well aware that anything short of a win will dent their hopes to claim the Premier League title. So what will be Jose Mourinho’s best lineup against the Swansea for the encounter? We here at Soccersouls have the answer for our readers.

Goalkeeper and Defence

Peter Cech will look to grab yet another clean sheet against Swansea who have been inexplicably sluggish in the current season. The Swans have only scored nine times in their last six Premier League games and even though Wilfried Bony and Michu will look to dent Chelsea’s title aspiration on Sunday, Cech would be well up for the task in front of the Liberty Stadium faithful.

Branislav Ivanovic will play in the right back slot and join attacks up front with his over lapping runs forward with great aplomb. Cesar Azpilicueta’s tremendous season continues as the Spaniard will start in the left wing slot and with his ease and confidence on the ball, Chelsea are more than adept at building from the back. Gary Cahill and John Terry, who were sumptuous in midweek will have to deal with the raw strength of Bony and the clever runs of Michu in the final third.

Midfield

Nemanja Matic should be back in the lineup holding fort in central midfield role while David Luiz, the Brazilian who had a fantastic game in midweek against PSG should get the nod over the misfiring Ramires. Frank Lampard will also be given a breather on the bench. Chelsea however would miss the services of the dazzling Belgian Eden Hazard, who limped off with a suspect calf injury and is expected to miss the game. Hazard will be replaced by German Andre Schurrle who also had a great game in midweek as he opened the scoring on the night for the home side. Oscar should start in his favourite number ten role and the hardworking Willian should aid his International team mate on the right.

Strike Force:

Demba Ba’s scruffy top corner finish against PSG in midweek enabled the Blues to advance to the semi finals of the Champions League. Mourinho went to jugular as he threw all of his three strikers to get the important goal which would take them past the French Champions. Samuel Eto’o started on the night while Fernando Torres came on in the second half. Mourinho is expected to however give Samuel Eto’o the start in Wales as the Cameroonian would look to make the most of Swansea’s scrappy defensive record in this season.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup

Cech

Ivanovic    Terry    Cahill     Azpilicueta

Luiz      Matic

Schurrle      Oscar           Willian

Eto