Next Thursday, December 26, 2013 (7:00 AM Pacific), Chelsea will entertain Swansea at Stamford Bridge, with their mind set on their Sunday’s opponent, and current English Premier League leaders, Liverpool. The Swans, on the other hand, arrive at London after a home defeat at the hands of a surprising Everton team and without winning a match on Boxing Day since 2007.
Chelsea is on a complicated row of matches, but they might be somewhat motivated after the goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium last Monday. José Mourinho’s boys need to win to put some extra pressure on Liverpool, which will have a very difficult match against Manchester City, a team that remains unbeaten at home this term.
José Mourinho will likely impose some changes in the team, due to the amount of matches over this short period of time, and he will only not be able to count on Marco van Ginkel, who is bound to lose the entire season due to a severe knee injury. Notwithstanding, the Portuguese head coach will be able to rely on the Ghanaian international Michael Essien once again, who lost Arsenal’s match due to suspension.
As for Swansea, this will surely be a complicated match. The former Danish star footballer, Michael Laudrup, has five players sidelined due to injury and at least three of them (Michu, Nathan Dyer and Michel Vorm) are of vital importance to the team. The Spanish goalscorer will be out of the team for at least six weeks, since he will undergo a surgery to his ankle and his absence will surely be a major blow for the Swans. Laudrup’s team is in the eleventh place of the table right behind Stoke City. A victory for them could help them jump one place on the table, since the Potters also have a very complicated away match at Newcastle.
Chelsea vs Swansea City Prediction
The Swans have been somewhat unstable this term; they combine some quality performances with plenty of disappointing matches. The injuries that are affecting the team and their interesting but demanding campaign in the UEFA Europa League might be, to some extent, restraining the team from achieving greater things in the English Premier League.
Swansea hasn’t won at Stamford Bridge since 1925, and although this new Chelsea is far from what they’ve achieved in the past under José Mourinho’s leadership, it is not likely that the Welsh team will be able counter the tradition this season and defeat the Blues. That being said, the most likely outcome is 2-0 for Chelsea.
Chelsea vs Swansea City Television
The Chelsea vs Swansea City Premier League match will be televised on NBC Sports Network at 7:00 AM Pacific.
