Chelsea vs Swansea – Prediction
1-1 draw, Can Chelsea retain the title? It’s a question that has been hotly
debated by both pundits and fans alike over the last month or so. Most of the bookmakers have them as the favorites to win it again at odds of 2.75 but if they are to be judged by their pre-season form and Community Shield defeat against Arsenal then the champions are in for a difficult season.
Swansea will come into this game looking to do something similar to what they did to United in the opening day of last season. The Swans aren’t under pressure to get a result and can play freely and create trouble in the Chelsea ranks.
The trouble for both these teams is upfront, Chelsea looks weak in attack with an injured Diego Costa while Swansea are still searching for a suitable replacement for Wilfred Bony who left for Manchester City in January.
Betting Tips
- Chelsea at home start as the overwhelming favorites to win the game with odds of 1.44. The odds for a Swansea win is at 11 and that for a draw is at 4.85
- Going against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge may look to be a stone headed idea but Chelsea haven’t looked convincing in their pre-season games and the possible absence of Diego Costa will also be a big miss.
- We can’t see too many goals here and don’t see Chelsea getting beaten.
- A 0-0 or 1-1 seems to be the strongest possibility so in addition to placing a bet on a draw we also suggest you place a small stake on Under 2.5 at odds of 2.0
Edgar Rusi Pro Bettor Tip: – Under 2.5
Chelsea
Jose Mourinho has won all his opening day fixtures in the Premier League, Can he continue the run against Swansea? (Olisa.tv)
Chelsea come into this game on the back of 1-0 defeat at the hands of Italian side Fiorentina in the International Champions Cup last Sunday. The Blues have failed to win any of their preseason games in normal time.
The Community Shield defeat against Arsenal saw Mourinho getting beaten by Arsene Wenger for the first time in 13 attempts. Chelsea haven’t been too active in the transfer market so far apart from loaning Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco.
The Blues have never lost an opening game of the season since the formation of the Premier League in 1992. In their 10 encounters with Swansea, Chelsea has won 8 and drawn 2. Chelsea’s only defeat against Swansea in the last 34 years came in the 2013 edition of the Capital One Cup when they got beat 2-0.
Diego Costa boasts an incredible return of 5 goals from the two games he had played against Swansea last season however the Spanish international looks set to sit this one out as he has not completely recovered from a hamstring injury.
In the absence of either Loic Remy or new signing Radamel Falcao will lead Chelsea’s line against the Swans on Saturday.
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Check out our other predictions for Saturday –
Manchester United vs Tottenham
Swansea
Garry Monk is saying 40 is the magic number for them once again but can the Swans surpass the 8th place and 56 points from last season? (dailystar.co.uk)
Swansea produced one of the greatest upsets in the Premier League era when they defeated Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford in the opening day of last season.
The perfect opening day was followed by an almost perfect campaign when they finished the season 8th in the table and racked up 56 points which was their best ever league placing and points tally in the Premier League.
Swansea has done good business in the transfer market signing the likes of Eder, Kristoffer Nordfeldt and Franck Tabanou for under 15€ million but their best bit of business was in securing the services of Senegal international Andrew Ayew who they bought from Marseille on a free transfer.
In their four Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge till date the Swans have lost all four. The Swans come into this game having gone unbeaten in their pre-season games.
The duo of Eder and Andrew Ayew could make their respective debuts for the club on Saturday however defender Jordi Amat remains doubtful as he is yet to fully recover from a foot injury.
Past Meeting
The last time these two teams met at Stamford Bridge Chelsea went on to win the game 4-2. In the last encounter between these teams at Liberty Stadium in January Chelsea went onto thump Swansea 5-0.
How they finished last season
1st – Chelsea – 38 games – 87 points – (+41 GD)
8th – Swansea City – 38 games – 56 points – (-3 GD)
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