Chelsea vs. Swansea City: Team News, Preview, Live Stream and TV Info
Chelsea have an excellent chance to increase their eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League when they host relegation-threatened Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Swans have revived their fortunes since Paul Clement took over as head coach, winning at Liverpool and beating champions Leicester City recently. However, they will be facing a dominant Chelsea side set to be close to full strength following FA Cup duty.
If there's one concern for Blues manager Antonio Conte, it will be the possibility of being without goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who is struggling with illness. Yet, the former Juventus boss will still be eager for Chelsea to take full advantage of many of their top-six rivals not being in action.
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Manchester United face Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday, so their respective would-be opponents—Manchester City and Arsenal—won't play in the league this week.
Here are the schedule and viewing details, followed by a preview and look at the team news:
Date: Saturday, February 25
Time: 3 p.m. GMT, 10 a.m. ET
TV Info: NBCSN, Sky Sports 1 (Soccer Saturday Updates)
Live Stream: NBC Sports App
Preview
Courtois is said to be suffering from a "severe stomach bug," according to Jack Staplehurst of the Daily Express. The report noted how the illness forced the Belgium international to withdraw late from an appearance on French television, something said to have angered presenters on Telefoot.
However, Conte is still hopeful Courtois will be well enough to feature on Saturday, per Steve Goodman of The Sun. If not, Asmir Begovic will deputise for the Belgian stopper.
Fortunately for Chelsea, former Portsmouth and Stoke City man Begovic is a highly capable goalkeeper in his own right. In fact, the 29-year-old would almost certainly start for most other teams in England's top flight.
Aside from the situation between the sticks, Conte is also expected to make numerous changes to the team that beat Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup last weekend.
If there's one more notable doubt, it concerns the status of centre-back David Luiz. The Brazilian is said to be struggling with a knee problem, per Metro's Evan Bartlett, but Conte thinks he will be fit to start.
Chelsea are well-stocked defensively if Luiz misses out, but it would mean giving a youngster such as Kurt Zouma or Nathan Ake a chance in the league.
Swansea's hopes of testing a potentially weakened Chelsea back line could be hit by their own injury woes. In particular, the Swans are sure to miss the vision and passing quality of Ki Sung-Yueng.
The ex-Celtic playmaker is out, according to Tom Doyle of the London Evening Standard, but veteran Leon Britton could make his return from a back problem. Even at 34, the midfielder can still pass and move between the lines to help Swansea control possession.
City have the weaponry to cause Chelsea some worries at the back, particularly with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Fernando Llorente bossing things up front. However, the Blues' armoury should again prove decisive, with striker Diego Costa and winger Eden Hazard sure to punish the side in 15th place.
