Chelsea vs. Swansea Preview: EPL Matchweek 35

April 26, 2013

By Daire McAnallen

Chelsea will be hoping to remain in the top four with a win against Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Blues drew 2-2 against Liverpool last weekend, keeping them in fourth place, but they are now just one point ahead of Spurs and one behind Arsenal, although they do have a game-in-hand over the Gunners. Swansea, meanwhile, have been in poor form of late with two draws following three consecutive defeats in the league. However, they are sitting comfortably in ninth position with 42 points on the board so they can afford to let their season peter out after their Carling Cup success, which they won after beating Chelsea in the semi-final.

The Blues should continue their forward-rotation with Demba Ba returning following his ineligibly in the Europa League where Fernando Torres played in their 1-2 first leg semi-final win against Basel. Centre-back Gary Cahill is in contention for a start as well after he was an unused substitute in Thursday’s game following his six-week absence with a knee injury. The Swans have a fully-fit squad with Neil Taylor due to return to the bench after eight months out, while Wayne Routledge may replace Luke Moore in the starting line-up with Michu again moving up front. Chelsea will set themselves up nicely for a Champions League place with a victory here and I think they’ll get it with a 3-1 win and goals from Cahill, Mata and Ba, with De Guzman netting for Swansea.