Chelsea x Swansea: must-win for AVB (preview)

Chelsea have a must-win game on Saturday if they don’t want to see leader Manchester United get too far away on the table. 

The Blues were defeated at Old Trafford for the first time in the season and manager André Villas-Boas will have to prevent any more points from being lost against a well-known Brendan Rodgers.

Newly promoted Swansea’s manager was part of José Mourinho’s coaching staff during his time at Stamford Bridge – as Villas-Boas was himself.

In order to guarantee a triumph, Chelsea must improve their finishing as they failed one too many attempts in a solid game at Old Trafford and didn’t manage to score against Carling Cup’s tie against Fulham in 120 minutes. 

As for Swansea, Rodgers’ side has returned to the elite this year and is currently on a one-point-per-match average, after two draws and a victory in five fixtures. They are sitting comfortably at 14th, but haven’t managed to win more than one of their last eight league games.

And Chelsea are also more comfortable at home, where they won eight or their last nine matches.

No great injuries concerns for any of the coaches

André Villas-Boas only has one doubt – Daniel Sturridge picked up minor knee injury in the Carling Cup tie. Petr Cech is recovered from a knock to the head and is set to start. 

AVB rested several players, who should now be coming back into the team. The main curiosity is to see if the Portuguese tactician finally uses striker Didier Drogba, who is still to make a season appearance after head injury.

Rodgers, however, is short in centre backs, as Alan Tate and Steven Caulker have long-term injuries. Agustien and Beattie are also sidelined. Neil Taylor, on the other hand, is recovered and set to play.