Chelsea’s odds to beat Swansea to nil great if Cech is passed fit
Published:Chelsea’s odds to beat Swansea may be too short to back at 1/6, but the fact that Petr Cech should be fit to play means that there is another significant betting opportunity in the Premier League fixture.
Cech was taken off at half time in Chelsea’s Carling Cup third round clash with local rivals Fulham after complaining of dizziness and was taken to hospital for a scan.
Ross Turnbull deputised well as Chelsea eventually progressed on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, but Andre Villas-Boas expects Cech to have recovered to return between the sticks against Swansea.
And if Cech plays, the omens are good that Chelsea will not only beat Swansea, but also keep a clean sheet.
In Cech’s last six outings against newly-promoted Premier League clubs, he has kept five clean sheets in Chelsea victories, with the only blemish being when Newcastle left Stamford Bridge with a 2-2 draw late last season.
It is 11/10 in the Premier League odds that Chelsea win to nil against Swansea and the chances of this happening are further boosted by the fact that the Welsh outfit have failed to score in four of their five top-flight fixtures so far.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are 5/6 to simply keep a clean sheet against Swansea.
There could also be some value to be found in the correct scoreline market, with two of Chelsea’s last six games against newly-promoted sides finishing in 3-0 victories and another two ending 4-0 in their favour.
Chelsea are 6/1 to beat Swansea 3-0 to continue their chase of Manchester United and Manchester City at the head of the Premier League standings and 9/1 to triumph 4-0.
Cech has already been out for almost a month this season because of a medial ligament injury suffered on the opening day of the campaign at Stoke.
