Chelsea vs Swansea

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Premier League giants Chelsea will play host to heavy underdogs Swansea in the 2014-15 English Premier League on Saturday September 13th. Jose Mourinho’s Blues have looked fantastic so far this season, unbeaten in their first three. Swansea put in a solid performance against Machester United in their opening season game, and are also unbeaten thus far.

Match facts

Chelsea

The Blues have looked rampant so far this season, and their 6-3 drumming of Everton at Goodison Park certainly grabbed everyone’s attention. Playing at Stamford Bridge is always a daunting task, but for Swansea it will seem like a giant mountain. The world class talent that play for the Blues are capable of some very crisp and precise attacking play. I think the biggest tip for Chelsea ahead of their match with Swansea would be don’t get complacent.

Swansea

The underdog team that is Swansea is looking fantastic so far. After beating 20-time league winner Man Utd at Old Trafford, the sky is truly the limit for the Welsh side. They will truly be stretched to deal with the rampant Blues in London, but if anyone can do it this season, it is Swansea. They just need to absolutely throw everything in to their attacks, but bare in mind that all it takes is one swift counter attack from Chelsea.

Prediction

The stats would suggest that a draw is more likely than any other result, but I have a Chelsea win in mind. It’s hard playing at Stamford Bridge, even harder when you don’t have a team of superstars to play there. Swansea have had a great season thus far, but I think that Chelsea will be their first stumbling block. I expect that Swansea will put in a gutsy performance, but will come out as the losers after 90 minutes. I’m calling it 3-1 for Chelsea.

NaijaBet Odds

At the time of this post, NaijaBet odd or Chelsea to win is 1.25, Swansea to win is  8.98 to end in draw is 5.21

Manchester United vs Swansea City

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Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie will again be missing when Manchester United entertain Swansea at Old Trafford.

Rooney has been sent for some warm weather training as he tries to overcome a groin problem that has kept him out of United’s last two games, whilst Van Persie has not recovered from a thigh strain which has sidelined him for a month.

In addition, Rio Ferdinand, Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini, Nani and Ashley Young are injured, whilst Fabio is suspended.

Meanwhile, Swansea’s injury woes have deepened ahead of their return to Old Trafford.

Jonathan de Guzman, Roland Lamah and Dwight Tiendalli have joined Nathan Dyer, Pablo Hernández, Garry Monk, Michel Vorm and Michu on the sidelines, leaving manager Michael Laudrup with limited options against the reigning champions.

Match facts

  • Louis van Gaal’s first competitive match in charge of United has been hotly anticipated and kicks off the Premier League campaign on Saturday.
  • The Dutchman has kept the faith with the 3-4-1-2 formation he utilised at the World Cup with Netherlands throughout pre-season, and with new signing Luke Shaw sidelined Ashley Young could get a chance to prove his worth at left wing-back.
  • Robin van Persie hasn’t featured at all in pre-season and is a doubt so Javier Hernandez could partner new captain Wayne Rooney up front, with Danny Welbeck carrying a knock.
  • It’s been a busy summer at Swansea, with many of the outgoings at the club going somewhat under the radar.
  • Ben Davies and Michel Vorm left for Tottenham, while former first teamers Chico, Jonathan De Guzman and Pablo Hernandez are also no longer at the club.
  • Bafetimbi Gomis has signed from Lyon but will likely to start on the bench as Wilfried Bony’s deputy. There could, however, be debuts for Lukasz Fabianski and Jefferson Montero, along with a welcome return from Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Predictions

Van Gaal’s side should continue on from an impressive pre-season campaign and register a first win of the season to get the ball rolling under the Dutchman. I am predicting a 2 : 1 at the end of the match.

NaijaBet Odds

At the time of this post, NaijaBet is tipping Manchester United to win at slightly over 100% and Swansea to win at over 700%.

1.31 4.80 7.85