Preview: Chelsea v Swans
Swansea City aim for a first Premier League away win since Crystal Palace in August when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge tonight (7.45pm).
Paul Clement’s side ended their run of four consecutive league losses with a 0-0 draw against Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth at the Liberty on Saturday.
The Swans now face a Chelsea side who have won eight of their 13 Premier League matches so far this season.
Third-place Chelsea go into the match off the back of a 1-1 draw at Liverpool on Saturday which saw them fall 11 points behind the league leaders Manchester City.
History is not on the Swans’ side as they aim to secure the three points this evening. The Swans have only won twice at Stamford Bridge throughout the club’s history.
The Liberty club’s last victory against the Blues came at home in April 2016 courtesy of a Gylfi Sigurdsson strike.
Team news
Chelsea wideman Victor Moses is available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury, but Belgian Michy Batshuayi is likely to miss out due to a foot injury he sustained on international duty. David Luiz is unavailable for selection after picking up an injury this week.
The Swans will be without defender Federico Fernandez, who has returned to his native Argentina following his father’s passing.
Tammy Abraham, who has featured in every Premier League match for the Swans this season, will be missing as he is not allowed to face his parent club, while Kyle Bartley remains on the sidelines due to a knee problem.
What they said
Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: “Every game in this league is very tough. We must pay great attention, we drew away to Swansea last season. It won’t be easy because every game in this league is very tough. You must fight with great concentration.”
Swans boss Paul Clement: “We have to be absolutely focused, we have to be at our best defensively and well-organised at set-plays and, if we get a chance, we have to take it.”
Last six meetings
25. 2. 17 Chelsea 3-1 Swans
11. 9. 16 Swans 2-2 Chelsea
9. 4. 16 Swans 1-0 Chelsea
8. 8. 15 Chelsea 2-2 Swans
17. 1. 15 Swans 0-5 Chelsea
13. 9. 14 Chelsea 4-2 Swans
Pre-match stats
8 – Chelsea have already dropped eight points at home in the Premier League this season, winning 10 out of a possible 18 points at Stamford Bridge. In their title-winning campaign last season, they dropped just six points throughout the season.
9 – The Swans have picked up nine points so far this season, the same number of points they had after 13 games in the Premier League last season.
