Premier League Preview: Chelsea v. Swansea City

• Chelsea have been reduced to 10 men in three of their last six meetings with Swansea in all competitions.
• Chelsea took part in the highest scoring Premier League game on December 26 when they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa in 2007.
• Frank Lampard has played more games on December 26 than any other player in Premier League history (15).

Chelsea will look to close the two point gap on league leaders Liverpool when they welcome Swansea City to Stamford Bridge on Thursday (9:45am ET live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).
Following the 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Monday, the Blues sit fourth in the table, seven spots ahead of the Swans. Jose Mourinho’s side have dropped only two points at home all season, keeping The Special One’s home unbeaten streak at 68 games. Which doesn’t bode well for Swansea.
The fact that Michael Laudrup‘s club have been inconsistent on the road this season will only complicate the issue further for the Swans, who are suffering from a rash of injuries and the rigors of playing in the Europa League. The combination of the two has made Swansea a completely unpredictable squad. Sometimes they look like world beaters, other times the look like a Championship side.
But while Swansea have never beaten Chelsea in four previous league meetings, Stamford Bridge is the venue where they secured a 2-0 victory in the semi-final of last year’s League Cup – the necessary result to help them go on and win the competition.
If they’re to win on Thursday it will have to be without Michu (ankle), Michel Vorm (knee), Nathan Dyer (ankle) and Gary Monk (knee), who are all sidelined with injury.
For Chelsea, Ryan Bertrand (knock) is out while Marco van Ginkel (knee) remains a longterm absentee with an ACL injury. Nevertheless, expect Mourinho to rotate his squad given the close temporal proximity of this match to the Arsenal match.
What They’re Saying
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: “OK, we don’t go to Christmas as leaders, but we go with evolution because last season the championship was already lost by this point. Now, we are there.”
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup: “We are talking about one of the favourites for the title, but other teams have gone there and done well and I still think we have a chance. We have fond memories of that pitch.”
Prediction
Normally, I’d say Swansea could give Chelsea a game in this one. They’re a great footballing side and one that’s capable of shocking anyone. Except when Vorm is out because or my money, Gerhard Tremmel is the worst goal-keeper in the league. A bit harsh but true. The Blues will roll.