Chelsea v Swansea League Cup Prediction 9th January 2013

Chelsea v Swansea Betting Preview
The Blues have been firing along heavily in the Carling Cup this season and the question is whether or not Swansea will be able to keep the blue tide back? The Swans have to hang on to something to take back to the Liberty Stadium for the second leg, but with Chelsea bolstering their forward line with Demba Ba, how will the Swans cope? On their last two visits to Stamford Bridge, they have taken heavy defeats.

Chelsea v Swansea Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Chelsea 2/5, Draw 7/2, Swansea 7/1

Chelsea v Swansea Recommended Bet:
The Blues have netted 16 times so far in the competition in three matches, beating Wolves 6-0, Manchester United 5-4 and Leeds 5-1 and they have had more shots on target in the tournament so far than anyone else. With Rafa Benitez’s men thumping Southampton 5-1 at St Mary’s in the FA Cup on Saturday, will this be an easy ride for the Blues? They wasted no time in bringing in the scoring threat of Demba Ba from Newcastle, who immediately made an impact with a brace on his debut. However, Chelsea have not had things all their own way at Stamford Bridge this season, winning just half of their Premier League matches there. They were stunned into a 1-0 defeat by struggling QPR in their last home match in the Premier League. However, Chelsea have some good cup pedigree, making it through to the final in their last three semi final appearances in the League Cup.

Out of ten previous semi finals, Chelsea have moved to the final six times. Only once before have they bumped into Swansea in the league Cup, and they produced a 3-2 home win way back in 1965. Chelsea’s form in the competition at Stamford Bridge is hot, winning 18 of their last 25 ties there, losing just three of them. They also are carrying good general form against Swansea too, going unbeaten in their last five against the Swans in all competitions, including a 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium earlier in the season in the Premier League. However, there have been far more stumbles at home this season than you would expect from Chelsea, who have actually won just two of their last six on home soil in all competitions.

So that will give Swansea a little window, as they go in search of their first ever League Cup final. The Swans have only faced one Premier League side in the tournament this season, beating Liverpool 3-1 at Anfield. Swansea have a really busy month, with an FA Cup replay to come against Arsenal as well as the two legs of the League Cup semi final. The Swans rescued a draw against the Gunners in the FA Cup on the weekend, as Danny  Graham struck a late equaliser in a thrilling finish to the cup tie. Turning attention to Swansea’s away form, and you see it isn’t great, having failed to score in five of their last ten away matches. They have, however, lost just one of their last seven away from the Liberty Stadium. Interestingly too, they have not managed to keep a single clean sheet in their last nineteen matches in the League Cup and you feel that they will have to dig deep in this one. They are a decent side, they play some good football, but this is a big pressure match for them and Chelsea have all the experience in these situations. Swansea lost 4-1 and 6-1 on their last two trips to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s Juan Mata has four assists and two goals in three League Cup matches this season and could be worth a look at First Goalscorer for odds of 5/1 at online bookmaker Ladbrokes, who have a great Money Back Special running for the match too (see below).

Form
Chelsea WWWWLW, Swansea LDDWDD

Stat Attack
Chelsea have won just two of the last six matches at Stamford Bridge in all competitions
The Blues have had more shots on target in this season’s competition than anyone else
Swansea have scored inside the last ten minutes of all their League Cup ties this season
Swansea have not kept a clean sheet in the last 19 League Cup away matches
The Blues have only won 2 of their last 6 matches at Stamford Bridge

Online bookmaker Promotion
Great coverage on your Chelsea v Swansea match betting with a Money Back Special at online bookmaker Ladbrokes. If the game ends in a draw, then the bookie will refund all losing single stakes placed on the First Goalscorer market. Get yourself a free £50 bet as well for your League Cup betting as Ladbrokes will match the value of your first stake on a brand new account with a free bet!