Chelsea welcome Swansea City to Stamford Bridge in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final, with the Blues keen to take a comfortable lead into the reverse fixture on 23 January.

Where to Watch Live

Kick-off is set for 7:45pm GMT. Live coverage is available on Sky Sports 1, Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports 3D.

Chelsea
Reuters

Overview

Rafael Benitez's men emerged comprehensive winners in the previous round, with a 5-1 triumph over Leeds United at Elland Road. Swansea, on the other hand, overcame Middlesbrough by a single goal at the Liberty Stadium.

Both sides are also on a good run of form of late, with Chelsea having lost just once in their last five games, winning the other four. Meanwhile, Michael Laudrup's side remains unbeaten during the same period, though they have drawn four of those matches.

The Blues are currently fourth on the Premier League table with 38 points from 20 games, while the Swans sit ninth with 29 points, having played a game more than their midweek opponents. The two sides have already met once this season, in 1-1 draw at the Liberty in November, when a late strike by Pablo Hernandez cancelled out a Victor Moses header.

Form Guide

Chelsea

  • Last Five Matches (all competitions, most recent first): W L W W W
  • Last Match: Southampton 1-5 Chelsea

Swansea City

  • Last Five Matches (all competitions, most recent first): D D W D D
  • Last Match: Swansea City 2-2 Arsenal
Michu
Reuters

Team News

Chelsea: Both John Mikel Obi and Moses have joined the Nigeria squad competing in the Africa Cup of Nations. Benitez will also be without Petr Cech (groin) and Yossi Benayoun (knee) for this clash, while John Terry (knee) and Oriol Romeu (knee) remain sidelined.

Probable Line-Up: (4-2-3-1) Turnbull; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Bertrand; Ramires, Lampard; Mata, Oscar, Hazard; Torres

Swansea City: Laudrup's only absentee is Neil Taylor (ankle), who was ruled out for the season. Captain Ashley Williams returns from the sidelines, while the Swans are also set to recall Miguel Michu, Hernandez and Angel Rangel to their starting line-up, after benching them against Arsenal at the weekend.

Probable Line-Up:(4-2-3-1) Tremmel; Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies; Britton, Ki; Hernandez, de Guzman, Routledge; Michu

Nigeria