Side with Swansea supremacy at Chelsea with a two-goal handicap

Swansea’s inability to match the standards they set last term has masked their respectable away record, which means Chelsea could be in for a festive grind when the south Wales outfit hit the capital.

At 1/3, few are giving Michael Laudrup’s men a hope of victory against a Blues side that’s won seven and drawn one of their eight Stamford Bridge outings since Jose Mourinho’s return.

Backing the 15/2-rated Swans for success is probably an unwise move, but there’s some potential in the draw at 4/1.

It’s the handicap markets where the best value is to be had, though.

The visitors can be backed at 17/20 to prevail at Stamford Bridge with a two-goal head start and entertaining such an offer may well pay dividends come the final whistle.

This bet would have copped in three of the away league games Swansea didn’t end up winning this term, including one at Tottenham where a heavy loss was forecast.

They would have avoided defeat under the same circumstances in this fixture last term, whereas Chelsea would’ve failed to win each of their last four Premier League home games when giving the opposition a two-goal start.
Stamford Bridge is hardly a fortress of the Etihad’s magnitude, even Anfield’s, and there’s no real evidence to suggest capable travellers Swansea are in for a Yuletide mauling.

For the more adventurous punters out there, a wager on the odds of almost 11/5 that say the Welsh club won’t lose in west London may appeal, while those on the opposite side of the fence may be tempted by the conservative option of 11/10 for both teams bagging goals.

It’s an outcome that’s occurred in three of Swansea’s last five league games, as well as five of Chelsea’s previous seven at home.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date