23rd Jan 2013 | Football
Swansea v Chelsea Tip
The Swans have already shared the spoils with Liverpool, Arsenal, Man Utd and Chelsea at home this season.
Last night we saw how difficult it can be, even for a superior team, to overcome a two-goal deficit. Villa were dominant in the first half against Bradford but it only took one goal for the League Two side to really knock the stuffing out of Paul Lambert’s strugglers.
Tonight Chelsea will face the same conundrum. Advocates of the revival point to the fact that the Blues have been excellent on their travels under Rafa Benitez, winning handsomely several times. However, thumping opponents is considerably easier when the outcome is decided and everybody mentally relaxes. That will not happen at the Liberty Stadium where Swansea would have hope even if they went 3-0 down.
As it happens, I see no reason to think the Swans will ever find themselves three goals down on the night anyway. Laudrup’s boys have only lost two out of 15 encounters on their own patch in all competitions this season.
The club from south Wales have more than held their own against the big boys and I think they are a great shout to draw on the night and advance to Wembley at best odds of 3/1 with Skybet.
Half the Premier League games at the Liberty Stadium in 2012-13 have ended as stalemates. Home clashes with Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal (in the FA Cup) and indeed Chelsea have all ended as draws. At the price, there seems to be a great likelihood of it happening again.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 16:05 23rd Jan, 2013 but subject to change
