Date: Thursday, December 26 Venue: Stamford Bridge Kick-Off: 15:00 Chelsea will be looking to keep up their title push when Swansea visit Stamford Bridge in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
Team News
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is likely to rotate his squad ahead of the Premier League visit of Swansea. Ashley Cole could regain his place at left-back after being left out of his side's last seven league games while Michael Essien returns from suspension. Swansea will be without Michu for the next six weeks after the forward was forced to undergo surgery on his ankle. Nathan Dyer, Garry Monk and Michel Vorm are all out but Leon Britton has recovered from a broken toe. (bbc)
Key Stats
Swansea haven't beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the league since 1925. There have been three red cards for Chelsea players in the last six meetings with Swansea in all competitions. The Swans have benefited from five own goals this season. Apart from when Manchester United had 10 in 2009-10, no team has had more than six in one season. Chelsea took part in the highest scoring Premier League game on Boxing Day when they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa in 2007.
On Monday, Chelsea played out a dour goalless bore-fest with Arsenal in a game they were determined not to lose - but on Thursday, they will be going all out to win against a stretched Swansea. Monday's 0-0 draw with the Gunners was painful viewing and Jose Mourinho will be hoping to get his side back to winning ways against an opposition the Blues have pretty good form against. Swansea's only league victory at Stamford Bridge came in in November 1925 and Michael Laudrup's men have won two of their last nine league matches - this fixture represents something of a belated Christmas gift for Chelsea then, you would think. Particularly when you take into account the fact the inspirational Michu is out until the New Year, and that the Blues are hungry for a win that could send them top of the tree over the festive period. Chelsea have never lost at home in the league under Mourinho and that won't change here. Prediction: 3-0
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
