Chelsea vs. Swansea: Key Battles That Will Shape Premier League Clash

Chelsea will welcome Swansea City to Stamford Bridge on Saturday in a top-of-the-table Premier League clash. With three games played, both sides have taken maximum points while playing some thrilling football in the process.

Much of the focus has been on Chelsea being the team to beat this season. Diego Costa's four goals in three games and Cesc Fabregas' incisive passing give the Blues the edge that they were missing last season, but they would be remiss to ignore the performances that their opponents have put in so far.

Swansea's shock defeat of Manchester United on the opening day underlined their top-flight credentials. With a strong, well-balanced team, they have several players who could make the difference in Saturday afternoon's clash.

Click through for a look at the three key head-to-head battles that will decide this tie.

All statistics from WhoScored.com. 

Eden Hazard vs. Angel Rangel

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Eden Hazard has drifted in and out of games so far this season but is still one of the most influential players on the pitch. New signings Fabregas and Costa have given him more space to work with than he enjoyed last season, as defenders are forced to split their attentions over several key individuals.

Although he has freedom to roam across the pitch, Hazard is likely to start on the left of Chelsea's attacking midfield on Saturday. He will be lining up opposite Angel Rangel, who takes his defensive duties at right-back seriously.

During Swansea's 3-0 win over West Bromwich Albion, Rangel made three tackles and five interceptions with a passing accuracy of 90 percent—all in the space of his own half.

By contrast, Hazard was defending down the left while making incisive runs and passes across Everton's 18-yard box.

Rangel will be charged with marking Hazard closely on Saturday in the hope that removing him from the game will enable Swansea to get their first Premier League win at Stamford Bridge. 

Gylfi Sigurdsson vs. Nemanja Matic

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Gylfi Sigurdsson has been one of the Swans' key players so far this season with one goal and four assists from three matches. He also has the highest number of key passes, averaging 2.7 per game.

As the No. 10, Sigurdsson will be squaring off against Chelsea's Nemanja Matic.

Matic has made 12 tackles and nine clearances so far as well as scoring one goal and assisting another with a key pass every game. Being paired with Fabregas has ensured that Matic will act as a defensive shield, stopping the likes of Sigurdsson from influencing the game. 

Diego Costa vs. Ki Sung-Yueng

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Diego Costa is the Premier League's top scorer so far with four goals from three games. His strength, pace and finishing have safely dispatched Burnley, Leicester City and Everton, and he will have his sights on continuing his scoring form against Swansea.

Defensive midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng will most likely be tasked with man-marking Costa to keep him out of the game.

The Korean was the hero of the day after scoring the first goal in the opening match against Manchester United. Since then, he has made six tackles and the same number of interceptions as well as five clearances. He bossed the middle of the park against West Brom, and although Chelsea are a different calibre of opposition to the Baggies, he could be the player to keep Costa quiet on Saturday.