There’s only one match to savour on Super Sunday due to the rather odd timing of the Manchester derby (Saturday lunchtime….really?), and here it is: Swansea welcome Chelsea to Wales for the 4pm kick off.
The Blues have started the 2016/17 in a better fashion than they commenced last season, and with three wins from three under their belt they will be relishing this trip west. Swansea have been very Swansea-like so far – unconvincing at times, impressive at others – and so we don’t really know where we stand with them.
Chelsea could theoretically be the last team in the Premier League with a 100% record by the end of Sunday; motivation, should any be needed, for them to make it a perfect four here.
Match Betting
To analyse Swansea’ start to the season, we can only remark on what a poor couple of weeks it has been, both in terms of their results and their performance levels. They were eye-catching against Burnley first up, and a three or four goal margin of victory wouldn’t have flattered them. Since then, well, a pair of defeats to Hull and Leicester – and being played off the park – will be of huge concern to Francesco Guidolin’s men.
They say the table never lies, and usually it doesn’t, but just look at a table that shows shots on target this season and you will see Swansea in seventh place with 15. However, with just two goals scored it is pretty obvious what their problem is – maybe record signing Borja Baston will help on that front. More worryingly for the Welsh outfit is that Chelsea sit third in the same table with 20 shots on target and seven goals; a handy conversion rate of 35%. The Blues have also conceded the fewest shots on target in the division too….so the evidence is mounting against the Swans here.
Chelsea have ridden their luck at times, particularly Diego Costa who could have been sent off twice already, but ominously for everyone else they look similar to the side that won the Premier League in 2014/15 at a canter. Eden Hazard is firing on all cylinders, Costa is scoring and in N’Golo Kante they possess a player who, pound for pound, must be one of the best in world football right now.
It was the Swans that triumphed 1-0 in this corresponding fixture back in April, but we’re happy to write off Chelsea’s campaign as a blip, rather than the norm. The Blues did the double over Swansea in their title-winning campaign with scorelines of 4-2 and 5-0, and that is more reflective of the two sides you would fancy.
Swansea’s new starlet Borja could make his debut here, but even that boost probably won’t be enough to stop Chelsea from easing to victory on Sunday.
Recommended Bet
Back Chelsea to win at 8/13 with William Hill
Side Bets
Chelsea’s goal tally of seven is the second-best in the Premier League at the moment – they stuck three past Burnley and two past West Ham and Watford respectively. You wouldn’t argue that Swansea are any better than those sides defensively, and clearly they are struggling to come to terms with the loss of former captain Ashley Williams.
Having shipped four against Hull and Leicester, it will be of concern for Guidolin just what damage Chelsea can do to his side. Backing the Blues to score two or more at 7/10 with Coral.
He doesn’t have the universal appeal of a Lionel Messi or a Neymar, but you can’t fault Diego Costa when it comes to putting the ball in the back of the net. The Spaniard had already notched two in three for his club side before venturing off to represent his national side. He duly bagged another brace, admittedly it was only against Liechtenstein, but when you’ve got the knack and are feeling confident goals tend to follow. He’s available at 23/20 with Betfair to find the net here.
Recommended Bets:
Chelsea to Score 2+ Goals at 7/10 with Coral
Diego Costa to Score Anytime at 23/20 with Betfair
