Swansea City vs Chelsea
Date: 28/04/2018
K/O: 17.30pm
Venue: Liberty Stadium
TV: BT Sport 1
Referee: Jonathan Moss
Swansea City host Chelsea in the late kick-off on Saturday, with Carlos Carvahal’s side sitting just three points above the Premier League relegation zone.
The Swans will be without Federico Fernandez and Kyle Bartley, both out with knee injuries, as well as Luciano Narsingh, who could miss out with an ankle problem. Renato Sanches, a player who has struggled considerably in his debut Premier League campaign, is out with a hamstring problem.
Marcos Alonso will finish the last of his three game ban on Saturday, though Antonio Conte will be without David Luiz and Ethan Ampadu who are both injured. Conte could call on striker Olivier Giroud to lead the line following impressive displays against Southampton in recent weeks (FA Cup and Premier League), with Alvaro Morata a potential casualty from the starting XI.
For Carvahal, a manager who inherited the reigns at the Liberty with his side rock bottom of the Premier League, Saturday will provide a stern test, though could present an invaluable three points in their quest to avoid relegation. A point for Swansea will see West Bromwich Albion become the first relegated side of the 2017/18 campaign, with the Swans presently three clear of Stoke in 18th.
At home in 2017/18, Swansea have excelled, recording impressive victories against Arsenal and Liverpool. They will come up against an unstable Chelsea side, who have progressed to the FA Cup final, though look set to miss out on Champions League qualification for 2018/19.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt is widely expected that Antonio Conte will be departing come the end of the campaign, though the Italian will unquestionably be keen to go out on a high, if he is to leave, and three points against Swansea on Saturday are vital to keep alive their bid for an unlikely spot in the top four.
Predicted Starting XI’s
SWA: Fabianski; Roberts, Naughton, Van der Hoorn, Mawson, Olsson, Ayew, Carroll, King, Clucas, Jordan Ayew.
CHE: Courtois; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Rudiger; Moses, Fabregas, Kante, Emerson; Willian, Hazard, Giroud.
Prediction: Swansea City 1 Chelsea 2
Written by Tom Newman.
