STATS: Swansea vs Chelsea
Swansea v Chelsea
Swansea will be eager to put last weeks 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hull City behind them this weekend when they face title contenders Chelsea. The Swans are currently in 15th place with 33 points and will be desperate to put distance between themselves and the drop zone. Gary Monk will want his team to start the game how they played in the second half against Hull and capitalise on Chelsea star Eden Hazard’s absence.
Wayne Routledge registered his sides only shot on target last weekend in their frustrating loss to Hull. In addition to his shot on target, Routledge made 6 attacking contributions (Shots on target, dribbling, crosses and assists). The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has 2 goals to his name this season with 11 out of a possible 17 shots on target.
Swansea fans will be hoping that top scorer Wilfred Bony has a better game this week when his side take on Chelsea. Bony has impressed this season with 12 goals in 29 Premier League appearances so far this season.
Even without the threat of Eden Hazard, Swansea will have their work cut out in defence. Gary Monk will be confident however that Ashley Williams can contain Chelsea’s firepower. Williams has won an impressive 80% of his 60 tackles made in the Premier League this season. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index also shows that he has made 410 defensive contributions (tackles won, interceptions, blocks and clearances); more than any other Swansea player.
Chelsea will be full of confidence following their 2-0 defeat of PSG in the Champions League quarterfinals. The Blues also kept their hopes of the Premier League title alive at the weekend when they dominated Stoke City at home to win 3-0. Chelsea fans and manager alike will be hoping that the absence of the incredibly influential Hazard will not limit the Blues attacking creativity.
Chelsea fans will be hoping that Mohamed Salah puts in another impressive performance this week against Swansea. Salah made 5 attacking contributions (shots on target, dribbles, assists and crosses) last week against Stoke as well as scoring his second goal in Chelsea colours.
Willian curled in a powerful shot to seal the game for Chelsea with little over 15 minutes left on the clock last weekend. The Brazilian has now scored 3 times for Chelsea in 21 Premier League appearances. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has had 13 shots on target this season out of a possible 25; that’s an accuracy of 52%.
With John Terry looking doubtful for this weekends fixture with Swansea, defensive duties will rest of the capable shoulders of Gary Cahill. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he has made 267 defensive contributions (tackles won, clearances, interceptions and blocks) and has won 82% of his 38 tackles made this season.