Chelsea
are set to play Swansea for the first time since Antonio Conte was confirmed
as manager.
Swansea have never beaten the Blues in the Premier League, and Guus Hiddink
remains unbeaten in the league since taking over on an interim basis.
However, Swansea will be looking to make sure of their top-flight safety and
earn an elusive three points over their opponents.
Team news
Andre Ayew has shaken off an ankle problem and is available for Saturday,
Ayew, Swansea's top goalscorer with eight, has missed the last three games
but midfielder Leon Britton and defender Jordi Amat are both struggling with
back problems and could miss out.
Full-back Neil Taylor and striker Alberto Paloschi, whose equaliser after
coming on as a substitute at Stoke last weekend earned a 2-2 draw, are in
contention to return to the starting line-up.
Chelsea will be without John Terry, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, Loic Remy and
Nemanja Matic when they play at Swansea in the Premier League on Saturday.
Costa completes his three-match suspension and fellow striker Remy has a
groin problem, so Alexandre Pato could make his first start or Radamel
Falcao could make his first appearance since October following a thigh
problem.
Terry (Achilles) and Hazard (hip/groin) remain out, along with midfielder
Matic (bruised leg), while defender Gary Cahill (hip) faces a fitness test.
Opta stats
Swansea City have never beaten Chelsea in a league match during their time
in the Premier League (D3 L6).
The Blues won 5-0 in this exact fixture last season, their biggest away win
over Swansea in any competition.
Chelsea are looking to keep a fourth consecutive clean sheet at the Liberty
Stadium (in all competitions).
Diego Costa has scored more goals against Swansea City than any other
Premier League side (5).
Swans' playmaker Gylfi Sigurdsson (10) is the first Icelandic player to
score 10+ goals in a Premier League season since Eidur Gudjohnsen in 2004/05
(12).
Chelsea are enjoying the longest unbeaten run of any team in the Premier
League this season, going 15 games without a loss (W7 D8).
Swansea's last five home league games have produced a total of just six
goals, with no side scoring more than once in any of those fixtures.
The Swans have shipped a league-high four own-goals this season.
Chelsea are unbeaten on their five trips to Wales in the Premier League,
winning the last three (two wins, two draws v Swansea and one win v
Cardiff).
Merson's predictions
Swansea are pretty much safe for me. They had a good result last week coming
back from 2-0 down to draw with Stoke.
But Chelsea haven't been beaten for a while now in the league, and I can see
them continuing that at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 16/1)
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