Conte’s Chelsea look to extend their Lead
Chelsea take on Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday. Chelsea surprisingly dropped points to Burnley in their last league game. Burnley defended deep making sure Chelsea were not able to create any clear cut chances. Chelsea had only one shot on target and that resulted in a goal from Pedro. Conte on seeing Chelsea drop points against Burley, played most of his first team players in weekend’s FA cup game against Wolves. It not only resulted in a straight forward 2–0 victory but also brought back that winning feeling to his team. In addition to the victory, they also had their main striker Costa back in scoring form. Costa had not scored for the past four weeks, his last goal was against Hull on 22nd January. Conte would be relieved that Costa has got his scoring boots back on and would therefore be very confident of a victory against improving Swansea City.
Swansea City have won three of their last five games, they have made rapid strides ever since Paul Clement took over. They are back playing with purpose and confidence and their star man Gylfi Sigurdsson is back in form. He has been involved in more than 60% of Swansea City goals either through assists or goals since Paul Clement took over. Swansea City have already defeated good teams like Liverpool in convincing fashion and can provide a stern test to Chelsea on their day. But Chelsea are such a good side that even if Swansea City have a great day the best they can expect from this game is a draw. Conte’s team have already successfully crossed hurdles like this with ease. This game may be the one that decides the title in Chelsea’s favour.
Their title rivals Manchester City do not have a game this weekend because their opponents Manchester United are involved in the Capital One Cup final against Southampton at Wembley. Arsenal were supposed to play Southampton at the St Mary’s Stadium but that game is also postponed now. So with Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United not having games in the league, this provides Chelsea another great opportunity to extend their lead to a bigger margin. There is also the FA Cup Quarter finals coming up in two weeks. Teams like Chelsea , Arsenal, Manchester United are all involved in it. But there are also Premier League scheduled for that weekend so Fantasy Premier League players avoid players from Manchester United, City and Arsenal till Game Week 28 is over.
In the weekend’s other games Liverpool take on Leicester City on Monday. Leicester City are in poor form , they have not scored a single goal in the league in 2017, they are playing with zero confidence and players look like they have given up on their manager. Liverpool on the other hand have had a mini preseason under Klopp since they have been eliminated from all cup competitions, they dominated Spurs to a 2–0 victory at Anfield in their last league game. Their main man Saido Mane is back in form scoring goals for fun, he is their leading goal scorer with 11 goals in the league this season. The fifteen day break would have helped them recharge their batteries and get ready to press high up the pitch like they did during the beginning of the season. Liverpool is expected to coast to victory in this game.
Editor’s Weekend Predictions
Chelsea vs Swansea City : 2–0( Costa ,Pedro)
Everton vs Sunderland : 3–1(Lukaku,Lookman,Barkley,Defoe)
Crystal Palace vs Middlesbrough : 1–1(Zaha,Negrado)
Hull City vs Burnley : 2–1(Niasse(2),Gray)
West Brom vs Bournemouth : 2–1(Rondon,Chadli,Stanislas)
Watford vs WestHam United : 1–1(Niang,Snodgrass)
Spurs vs Stoke City : 2–0(Kane(2))
Leicester City vs Liverpool :0–3(Mane(2),Firmino)
