Chelsea vs. Swansea: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Jose Mourinho has signed a new contract that will ensure he remains Chelsea manager until 2019.
The news was confirmed on Friday, but if Chelsea don't get their Premier League title defence off to a win against Swansea City this weekend, the season will start in the worst possible way.
Ask Mourinho, and he'll say the same himself—last season is in the past. That Chelsea are champions matters for little, giving the club nothing more than bragging rights as we enter 2015/16.
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That will fade very quickly if Mourinho's men haven't got their finger on the trigger, ready to reassert their dominance in the Premier League.
Chelsea were so convincing last term that the title was effectively wrapped up before Christmas. After the turn of the year, it became a practice in doing enough to stave off the chasing pack.
With the points counter reset to zero, it all means nothing. And after a quiet summer on the transfer front, the first few weeks are vital for Chelsea to stem the momentum their rivals have gained on the back of their respective splurges in the market.
On paper, the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Manchester City have narrowed the gap; now the new season is here, we're going to find out if they have in practice.
There are big questions surrounding this Chelsea team. Can they cope without Diego Costa whenever he is injured (or suspended)? Will Radamel Falcao rediscover his goalscoring form? Do they have enough depth to last the season? Have they made an error by not signing reinforcements?
In isolation, it's just one game, yet facing Swansea is significant. No other team conceded more goals against Chelsea last term than the Swans, being humbled 4-2 at Stamford Bridge in September before humiliation followed in mid-January as the Blues thrashed Garry Monk's side 5-0.
Chelsea were rampant; however, do they have it in their locker to be so dominant once more?
It's the opening game of 2015/16, but Swansea's visit to west London is going to tell us plenty about what we can expect from the champions.
Match details
Date: Saturday, August 8
Time: 5.30 p.m. BST/12.30 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK only); NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only); NBCSN Live Extra (U.S. only)
Pre-season results
It's not only Chelsea who have endured a frustrating pre-season. The Blues have drawn twice, losing three games to Fiorentina, Arsenal and New York Red Bulls.
Now Swansea City travel to Stamford Bridge with just one win under their belt in five outings. They've only scored five goals, too, which isn't a sign of Monk's men proving too much of a risk in front of goal come kick-off in west London.
| July 23 | New York Red Bulls 4-2 Chelsea |
| July 25 | Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Chelsea |
| July 29 | Barcelona 1-1 Chelsea |
| August 2 | Arsenal 1-0 Chelsea |
| August 5 | Chelsea 0-1 Fiorentina |
| July 15 | Borussia Monchengladbach 1-1 Swansea City |
| July 18 | 1860 Munich 1-2 Swansea City |
| July 24 | Reading 1-1 Swansea City |
| July 25 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Swansea City |
| August 1 | Swansea City 0-0 Deportivo La Coruna |
Predicted lineups
Players to watch
Diego Costa
He's missed Chelsea's last two pre-season outings, but Diego Costa must surely start against Swansea City. Radamel Falcao and Loic Remy haven't done enough to convince they should be starting ahead of him early in the campaign, and Chelsea need to get their season up and running with a win.
Mourinho's side travels to Manchester City next weekend, meaning anything but three points against Swansea could leave the Blues in a precarious position so early into the campaign.
They need Costa against Swansea as Chelsea don't carry the same goal threat without him.
And having scored five goals in two games against the Swans last season, we can be sure Ashley Williams and Co. will be having a few nightmares at the prospect of facing him again.
Ki Sung-Yueng
The South Korean is the player who makes this Swansea City team tick. He's the pass master in the middle of the park, and everything positive that comes on the attack often starts with him.
Indeed, Chelsea fans will remember Ki very well after he helped open the scoring at Stamford Bridge with a well-worked goal last season.
His movement created the space for the eventual cross that saw John Terry turn the ball into his own net.
Chelsea haven't looked as solid defensively during pre-season, so Ki will look to expose them early on and put Swansea on the front foot.
If the visitors are to pull off an upset, you can be sure Ki will be involved somewhere.
Key battle
Diego Costa vs. Ashley Williams
It promises to be a meaty, head-on collision when this pair meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Should Costa start for Chelsea, Williams is going to be in for one busy afternoon.
The Welshman knows what Costa is capable of after he tore through the Swansea City defence last season, so he'll be looking to settle a score or two.
Costa hasn't had the best preparation for the new campaign as his hamstring woes continue, but being rested for the past week or so should mean he's fresh and not weary from the extensive training sessions and games the Blues have played.
Williams is physical, so he'll give Costa the sort of challenge he relishes.
If they're both up for it, there should be fireworks.
Prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Swansea City
Odds
Home win: 1-4
Away win: 10-1
Draw: 9-2
First goalscorer: Bafetimbi Gomis 11-1
*Odds via Odds Shark and OddsChecker
Garry Hayes is Bleacher Report's lead Chelsea correspondent. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter @garryhayes
