Losing Eden Hazard to injury for around two weeks will have come as a hammer blow to Chelsea, but it could prove a blessing in disguise.
The left-winger has led the Blues’ challenge on all fronts this term, scoring 16 goals and setting up a further seven strikes.
Yet his lay-off will allow two of Stamford Bridge’s most in-form operatives to take to the flanks as his teammates bid to post an eighth consecutive win without him in the match-day squad.
Chelsea’s recent away wobbles make them an enticing 7/4 chance to post a third-straight shutout defeat against Swansea when they visit south Wales in their next outing.
So why not sign up at bwin.com today and receive a £30 free bet that would yield a handsome £52.50 to the balance books if they Blues’ rearguard stands firm en route to victory at the Liberty Stadium?
Only four of Hazard’s 14 league goals this term have were notched on the road and his anonymity in recent away games at Aston Villa and Crystal Palace came when his team needed him most.
After an effervescent campaign in which he has hardly missed an outing, it wouldn’t be surprising if the former Lille man was tiring slightly.
By contrast Willian and particularly Andre Schurrle have taken time to come to themselves, but both now have the bit firmly between their pearly whites.
The Brazilian has spent much of his Chelsea career on the right thus far, but he’s earned a stellar whoscored.com average performance rating of 7.88 when employed in left attacking-midfield, as opposed to a more modest 7.35 when stationed on the starboard bough.
Hazard’s injury will allow him to revel in his natural habitat, while freeing up a right-wing berth for Schurrle.
Former Leverkusen man Schurrle has notched six times in his last nine outings for Mourinho, including an away hat-trick against Fulham, and he can be backed to fire against Swansea at 19/10.
