Antonio Conte had a perfect start to his Chelsea career and will be keen to maintain it as the Blues travel to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday to take on his countryman’s Francesco Guidolin’s Swansea City. Swansea City vs Chelsea is the only Sunday game in the Premier League this week and we can expect a cracker of a game when two Italian managers collide with each other.
The Blues have recorded victories against West Ham, Watford, and Burnley so far this season and will be looking to keep up their winning streak after the international break. Swansea looks a bit weakened after some big departures from the South Wales side this summer and are in a poor form at the moment losing two back to back games.
Last season, Chelsea only managed a solitary point against Swansea home and away. Prior to that, Chelsea had relatively easy outings against Swansea. In this fixture last season, Swansea won by a goal from Icelandic international Gylfi Siggurdson.
Team news
Swansea
Guidolin has almost a clean bill of health right now. Only Jefferson Montero and Neil Taylor lacks match fitness but both might make the bench.
Chelsea
Apart from the long-term layoff for Kurt Zouma, it is a clean bill of health for Conte.
Predicted lineups and tactical setups
Swansea City
The Swans are likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Fabianski will start under the bar behind the back four of Naughton, Fernandez, Amat and Kingsley. Leroy Fer and Jack Cork will start in the middle of the park with Sigurdsson operating as the number ten. Modou Barrow and Wayne Routledge will start on the flanks while Swansea’s club-record signing Borja Baston will start up front.
Starting XI: Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Amat, Kingsley; Fer, Cork; Barrow, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Baston
Chelsea
Chelsea are also expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Courtois will start under the bar behind the back four of Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry and Azpilicueta. N’Golo Kante and start in midfield alongside Nemanja Matic. In-form Eden Hazard will start on the left flank while Willian will start on the right flank. Oscar will start as the number ten while Diego Costa will lead the line and will be in search of his 3rd goal of the season.
Starting XI: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Azpilicueta; Kante, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa
Prediction: Swansea City 0-2 Chelsea
