EPL: Swansea v Chelsea preview

Swansea v Chelsea preview

Swansea are sweating over the fitness of defenders Federico Fernandez and Kyle Bartley ahead of their home clash with Chelsea on Saturday.

The pair face scans on knee injuries and if they are ruled out the Swans might be forced into a change of formation.

Swansea are 17th in the Premier League table, four points clear of the relegation zone, having failed to win any of their last five league matches.

However, they have picked up 13 points from the last 15 on offer at home.

"It is David against Goliath again," said manager Carlos Carvalhal. "But at the Liberty, we have good support from the fans, they were fantastic against Everton [1-1 draw in the last home game], and our players grow and are bigger at home.

"They have great players, a good manager, but we are in a period where we have to make our presence felt."

Carlos Carvalhal will have no issue if Liverpool rest PFA Player of the Year Mohamed Salah against Swansea's relegation rivals Stoke

Swansea should be boosted by the fact they have three of their last four games at the Liberty Stadium.

Chelsea, meanwhile, still have a slim chance of finishing fourth as they look to close a five-point gap on Tottenham in their remaining four matches.

The potential absences of Fernandez and Bartley could force Carvalhal into playing four at the back rather than three central defenders.

Dutch winger Luciano Narsingh is another doubt with an ankle problem, but on-loan midfielder Renato Sanches could return to the squad for the first time since the end of January after a hamstring problem.

Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso will complete his three-match ban when his team travel to Swansea.

The Blues have no fresh injury concerns, but could make changes following the FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton, with Thibaut Courtois expected to return in goal.

Danny Drinkwater (groin) was left out at Wembley but could return, but defenders David Luiz (knee) and Ethan Ampadu (ankle) are out.