The Blues are flying high, with an 8-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, as they take on relegation-threatened Swansea City on Saturday at Stamford Bridge in London. Earlier in the season, the Welsh outfit restricted the Blues to a 2-2 draw, but as the season progressed, Antonio Conte’s men have been rampant in almost every game they have played so far.
However, Chelsea may not be playing with their full first choice players, as Thibaut Courtois is suffering from gastroenteritis and David Luiz spending more time on the sideline with his knee injury. This means that Asmir Begovic may start his first Premier League game under Antonio Conte, and skipper John Terry returning to the heart of the 3-man defence after a long absence.
Let us take a look at 3 key battles which may shape the outcome of the match.
N’GOLO KANTE VS GYLFI SIGURDSSON
The defensive midfielder may not be an aerial threat, but he is known for his strong tackling and interceptions. With close to 3 key interceptions per game, Kanté is an important cog in Chelsea’s title challenge and he will be coming up against Gylfi Sigurdsson, who already has 8 goals and 8 assists from 25 appearances in the Premier League and is Swansea’s key creator.
Sigurdsson is deadly while in transition and Kanté may be able to neutralise the passing threat posed by Sigurdsson when Swansea play on the break.
LUKASZ FABIANSKI VS DIEGO COSTA
The Spanish-Brazilian striker may be going through a goal-scoring drought, but odds are there he may rediscover his form against the lowly Swansea City. Costa has scored 7 goals in 4 appearances against Swansea City and he will be desperate to score a goal or two past Fabianski, who has conceded 54 times in 25 matches so far in 2016/17.
With the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro Rodriguez in a rich vein of form, it is likely that they will feed the ball to Costa, who may get two or three opportunities in the match to end his scoring drought.
VICTOR MOSES VS MARTIN OLSSON
Chelsea’s success on the pitch has been largely dependent on the performance of their wingbacks and Victor Moses has played a key role in that position, pressing the opposition fullbacks to the length of the pitch, and teeing up his teammates. The Nigerian is very good in the air and with the ball at his feet, so it will be interesting to see how Martin Olsson copes with him.
Chelsea have been very strong in their wing play and it is expected that Moses will be helping the Blues dictate another solid performance on the wings.
