Swansea a great price to trouble Chelsea once again
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Since entering the Premier League in 2011, Swansea have caused Chelsea plenty of strife, and despite their lacklustre start to the new season, the Welsh side could be well worth backing this weekend to do so once more.
Chelsea have made six trips to the Liberty Stadium in league and cup games over the last five years, and they’ve won just twice.
The Blues’ troubles with the Swans really showed last season, with the 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge on the opening day arguably the catalyst for the west Londoners problems, and of course, Jose Mourinho’s demise.
Chelsea then lost the visit to Wales 1-0 in April, and they really don’t seem to like the long trip along the M4.
Under Antonio Conte the capital club have got off to a strong start, and the bookies understandably make them 4/7 favourites for Sunday’s fixture.
But with Swansea at 9/2 and the draw 3/1, we reckon there’s plenty of value in backing Chelsea to drop their first points of the year.
The hosts are 16/5 on the Draw No Bet, and a Swansea/Draw double chance is also above evens at 11/8.
Sometimes a top-level team develops a bogey side. You can read Bolton or Stoke for Arsenal, Leicester for Manchester United, and Sunderland for Manchester City.
And after last season, Swansea are certainly that for Chelsea.
Francesco Guidolin may have lost Ashley Williams and Andre Ayew, but the Italian has welcomed Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston to Wales, and if they can gel, they could become a fine offensive duo.
The Swans will also be hoping that the highly-rated Alfie Mawson can fill Williams’ boots too after signing from Barnsley in a £5m deal last month.
With the two Manchester teams meeting on Saturday, Chelsea could go top if results go their way, but history suggests they have real trouble on their visits to Wales, and the Swans have plenty of potential to cause another upset.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
