English Other
2013-01-23 - Swansea City vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : Capital One Cup
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013, 7:45PM GMT
PREVIEW
I know Chelsea have been a nightmare to deal with when they are on the road, but this is a game I can actually see them losing, or being held in. Chelsea come to Swansea needing at least 2 goals just to take the tie to ET, and that urgency may affect the defence, giving a very opportunistic Swansea offence the chance to deal a potentially killer blow with a goal.
Swansea registered a shock 2-0 win at the Bridge and I have them as strong favourites to progress to the finals. The Swans are not missing anyone important but Chelsea come here without Mikel and Moses, who are at the ACN. Most will look at the 8-0 home win over Villa, the 5-1 thrashing of Southampton and the 4-0 win at Stoke and feel confident Chelsea can do it. Not me.
Swansea are in incredible form, and bursting with confidence, knowing they can beat their opponents. Note, Swansea have lost just 1 of their last 9 games in all competitions.
That loss was a 1-0 result away at Arsenal, who had to earn a replay here to get that chance. Swansea have beaten Arsenal 2-0 away, and held them 2-2 here, and the loss was only by a goal. They've thumped Stoke 3-1 here, and held Everton goalless at Goodison. That does not look like a side that is going to get turned over by 2 or more goals.
Chelsea better be careful. They were able to let Leeds score first and come back, same with Southampton, but if they let Swansea score first it's over. The Swans have scored first in 15 games this season and have gone on to win 13 times, never losing.
BETTING VERDICT
This is the biggest game of the season for Swansea City. They've never, ever been to a major Cup final before, and will know if they get past Chelsea they are strong favourites to win it, which would make them the first Welsh winners of the trophy. That's a lot of motivation.
Chelsea, like Aston Villa, will score, but it's not going to be enough. I said Bradford could do something on the break, and take advantage of their opponents desperately chasing goals. I see Swansea well placed to do the same here.
Expect Michu to pop up with the goal that puts the tie past Chelsea.
The Pick :
Swansea City 1-2 Chelsea
