Chelsea vs Swansea match preview: It's a big game for Radamel Falcao

A look ahead to the Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

The Chelsea manager, Jose Mourinho, shares a joke with his staff at Cobham yesterday (Getty)

It’s a big game for…

Radamel Falcao. After a dreadful year with Manchester United where the Colombian poacher never looked like discovering his form of the past, Jose Mourinho will be hoping the Colombian can provide an able deputy to the hamstrung Diego Costa. In the Community Shield against Arsenal, neither Falcao nor Loïc Remy looked like breaking down the Gunners’ defence - but in a system he is more accustomed to we may see the Falcao of old before too long.

Weird stat…

2: This is only the second time that Swansea have started their top-flight campaign against a non-Manchester club in their five seasons in the Premier League. The other exception was a match away at Loftus Road in 2012, where they trounced QPR 4-0. Former Swans fan favourite Michu bagged a brace. Omen?

Remember when…

When Eden Hazard kicked a ballboy? In the 2013 league cup semi-final between Chelsea and Swansea the Belgian wizard became tired with the time the ball was taking to get back to the ‘keeper- so took the law into his own hands. Chelsea went on to lose 2-0.

Player to watch…

André Ayew. The Ghanaian international arrived at the Liberty stadium on a Bosman transfer and will look to make an instant impact on Swansea’s left hand side. Despite his size, the midfielder possesses a formidable leap - Branislav Ivanovic will have to keep his wits about him from crosses from the right.

Past three-meetings…

Swansea 0 Chelsea 5 (Oscar 2, Costa 2, Schürrle) Premier League, January 2015

Chelsea 4 (Costa 3, Remy) Tottenham 2 (Terry OG, Shelvey), Premier League, September 2014

Swansea 0 Chelsea 1 (Ba), Premier League, April 2014

Form guide…

Chelsea pre-season: LDDW

Swansea pre-season: DWDDD

Vital information…

KICK-OFF TIME: Saturday, 5.30pm

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1, highlights on BBC1