Good afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash between Swansea City and Chelsea at the Liberty Stadium! It is a battle between interim managers as Francesco Guidolin and Guus Hiddink both look to continue the impressive work that they have done since taking over at the respective clubs. A lot has happened since these two met on the opening day of the campaign, but it looks like being a quiet end to the season for both sides. Let's start with a look at the team news...

SWANSEA STARTING XI: Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Fer, Sigurdsson, Ayew, Montero; Paloschi

SWANSEA SUBS: Nordfeldt, Naughton, Amat, Ki, Barrow, Routledge, Gomis

CHELSEA STARTING XI: Begovic; Azpilicueta, Miazga, Ivanovic, Baba Rahman; Mikel, Fabregas; Pedro, Loftus-Cheek, Oscar; Pato

CHELSEA SUBS: Courtois, Aina, Kenedy, Colkett, Palmer, Traore, Falcao

What can we make of those two sides, then? Well, the biggest thing to note as far as the hosts are concerned is the return of Andre Ayew to the side. The forward has missed time recently with an ankle injury, but has been passed fit to start today's match, which is a big boost for Guidolin. Swansea's form may not have exactly suffered without him in the side, but there is no doubt that Ayew offers them a very real goal threat and they look like a more dangerous team with him in the starting XI.

Another big goal threat for Swansea will come from Gylfi Sigurdsson, who has been in impressive form recently. Indeed, his goal against Stoke last weekend took him into double figures for the season - the first Icelandic player to manage that in the Premier League since Eidur Gudjohnsen in 2004-05, when he scored 12 for the very team that Sigurdsson will come up against today. He can score in a variety of styles too, posing a big threat from set pieces in particular. He is one that Chelsea really have to keep their eyes on today.

Alberto Paloschi returns to the side to lead the line this afternoon, which sees Bafetimbi Gomis drop to the bench in one of four changes made by Guidolin to the team that drew 2-2 with Stoke last weekend. Routledge and Naughton join Gomis in dropping to the bench, with Neil Taylor and Jefferson Montero replacing those two in the side. There is no place in the matchday squad for Leon Britton due to a back injury, which paves the way for Ayew's return.

There is another start for both Cork and Fer in midfield, while at the back Ashley Williams will once again captain the side, playing at the heart of the defence next to Fernandez, who scored an own goal the last time these two sides met. Angel Rangel also continues at right-back, and Lukasz Fabianski is once again named between the sticks.

Fernandez is not the only one who will have unhappy memories of the reverse fixture against Chelsea, but Thibaut Courtois, who was sent off in that match on the opening day, is surprisingly left out of the starting lineup today. He only makes the bench in an unexpected move from Guus Hiddink, who instead hands Asmir Begovic the gloves for today's game. It will be interesting to hear the reasoning behind that decision, with no injury being reported and Courtois having kept a clean sheet in his last outing.

While Courtois has been left out, Hiddink is missing a number of key players through injury at the moment, including the likes of John Terry, Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic. Gary Cahill is also struggling with a hip injury and has not recovered in time to feature this afternoon, which means another start for Miazga alongside Ivanovic at the heart of the defence here. It is an unchanged back four from the win over Aston Villa last Saturday, with Azpilicueta and Baba Rahman on the flanks.

With Hazard sidelined, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is handed another start having opened the scoring against Villa last time out, but there is a change around him as Oscar returns to the starting XI in place of Kenedy, who drops out entirely. There is still no Willian, but Pedro will be hopeful of carrying on the sort of form that saw him score twice last weekend. Mikel and Fabregas, meanwhile, retain their spots at the base of the midfield.

Diego Costa, who has scored more goals against Swansea than he has any other Premier League side (5), is absent again as he completes his three-match suspension, and with Loic Remy also out with a groin injury, that means a first Premier League starts for Alexandre Pato. He has already opened his Premier League account, doing from the penalty spot in the rout against Villa last weekend, and today he has been chosen ahead of Radamel Falcao, who could be in line for a rare appearance having been named on the bench.

It is something of a makeshift and unfamiliar Chelsea squad, then, particularly the bench, and with so many key players out for the visitors, Swansea will feel that they stand a very good chance of getting something out of today's game. Every point helps at this stage of the season, although now it is just a case of nudging them over the line as the bulk of the hard work appears to have been done. The Swans were right in the relegation mix not too long ago, but it would take an unlikely series of events over the final six games of the season for them to be dragged back into the mire now.

A lot of the credit has to go to Francesco Guidolin for taking them 10 points clear of the drop zone, and just three short of the magic 40-point mark. Garry Monk's sacking was followed by an uncertain period for the Swans as Alan Curtis took charge of the team and was then given the reins until the end of the season, only for the club to then confirm Guidolin. It wasn't exactly an orthodox way of doing things, but it has worked for the club, who have lost just three of their 11 games since the veteran Italian was confirmed as their new manager.

Five of those 11 games have ended in victories for Swansea, including three of their most recent five games. They have lost just once during that period, and crucially have picked up wins against the likes of Norwich and Aston Villa, both of whom were also embroiled in the relegation battle. There was also the matter of a win over Arsenal to grab an unexpected boost in their survival bid, and a similar result this afternoon would surely push them over the line.

It will be interesting to see what happens with Guidolin at the end of the season considering the job that he has done. He insists that he is not yet thinking about his future beyond this summer, but he has also previously hinted that he would like to stay on at the club. Swansea are expected to look elsewhere, though, with Brendan Rodgers among the names being linked with a return to the Liberty Stadium, although a few more impressive results between now and the end of the season will not to Guidolin's chances any harm at all.

One thing the Italian has managed to do is sharpen Swansea up defensively, especially here at the Liberty Stadium. They have conceded just two goals in their five home matches since Guidolin was confirmed, keeping three clean sheets in that time, including in each of their last two. Admittedly, this has not the place to be for excitement recently, with only six goals at either end going in in the last five games and no team scoring more than once in that period.

Swansea have scored four of those six goals, though, which has helped them to 10 points from a possible 15 at the Liberty Stadium since Guidolin's appointment. Stretching a little further back, they have won four of their last seven home outings having failed to win any of their previous seven before that run, and with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City to come in their final three home games of the season, they will be hopeful of keeping that form up. Their lack of goals will be a concern though, with only Watford and Aston Villa having found the back of the net less often in front of their own fans this season.

They have certainly shown a fighting spirit in recent weeks, though - both home and away. They came from behind to beat Arsenal and ground out recent 1-0 wins over Norwich and Aston Villa, before coming from two goals down to rescue a point against Stoke City last weekend. Swansea looked destined for defeat when the Potters went 2-0 up through goals from Afellay and Bojan, but Sigurdsson sparked the comeback with just over 20 minutes remaining and a 79-th equaliser from Paloschi earned the point.

The Swans are not an easy team to beat under Guidolin, then, but the same very much applies to Chelsea under Guus Hiddink. When the Dutchman took over the Blues were languishing down towards the bottom of the table, embroiled in a relegation battle along with Swansea. However, since their ninth defeat of the campaign, which came at the hands of Leicester City on December 14 and spelled the end for Jose Mourinho, Chelsea have not been beaten in the league and have climbed up to the top half.

Indeed, their run of 15 matches unbeaten, 14 of which have come with Hiddink in charge, is the longest run any team has managed in the Premier League this season. The only problem with their recent form has been the amount of draws that they have registered. The majority of games in that 15-match streak have ended all square (W7 D8), which is why they haven't managed to haul themselves back into real contention for a European spot, with nine points still separating them from fifth-placed Manchester United.

It is at Stamford Bridge where the draws have been the main problem, though. Chelsea have been held in six of their last seven home league outings, while they have won five of their last six games on the road and are unbeaten in seven. It is a drastic improvement on their away form under Jose Mourinho, when they won just one of their previous 10 before this recent run. Their seven-game unbeaten streak on the road also includes five clean sheets, with Chelsea having conceded just two away goals since Mourinho left the club in December.

They actually have a better away record than they do at Stamford Bridge this season, despite their poor form on the road under Mourinho. They have amassed 22 points both home and away, but have reached that tally in one less game on the road. It is likely that they will end the campaign with a better away record too - their final three home games come against Man City, Tottenham and Leicester, while away from home they take on Swansea, Bournemouth, Sunderland and Liverpool.

In all competitions, though, Chelsea are not in the best form despite their ongoing unbeaten run in the Premier League. Their 4-0 drubbing of Aston Villa last weekend was their first win in five outings having been eliminated from both the Champions League and the FA Cup in quick succession. They have lost two of their last four games, having only suffered one defeats in their 17 games in all competitions immediately prior to this run.

It will all be Antonio Conte's problem to sort out soon enough, though, with the Italy boss being confirmed as Chelsea's next manager after Euro 2016 finishes this summer. It certainly looks to be a logical choice, with Conte having achieved great success during his time with Juventus, both as a player and then as a manager. When he took over at the Old Lady they had actually finished seventh in each of the previous two seasons, but he then took them to three consecutive titles and laid the foundations for the side that made it all the way to the Champions League final last season. He could have a similar rebuilding job on at Chelsea next season, and it will be interesting to see whether he can do it again.

He will have a wealth of talent at his disposal to do so, and while Juve's back-to-back seventh-placed finishes were part of working their way back up after their demotion to Serie B, this season is surely just a blip for Chelsea after they stormed to the title so convincingly last term. Conte's former players all seem to have glowing references for the Italian, and he could well restore Chelsea to a Premier League force next year.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Liberty Stadium, which means that it is time for a prediction! This is quite a tough one to call with both sides in good form, and Chelsea weakened by their lack of a number of key players. Swansea should be safe now but will be desperate to just edge over the line, while Chelsea have little left to fight for this season but will want to keep their unbeaten run going. I can see this one ending all square - 1-1!

Swansea have never managed to beat Chelsea in a Premier League game, drawing three and losing six of their nine meetings since being promoted to the top flight. They have failed to even score on Chelsea's last three visits to the Liberty Stadium in all competitions, including a 5-0 thrashing in the corresponding fixture last term. Oscar and Costa both netted braces in that game before Schurrle added a fifth as Chelsea recorded their biggest ever away win over the Swans.

Chelsea have never failed to score in a Premier League match against Swansea, and often they score quite a few - hitting four or more goals in three of their six Premier League victories over the Welsh outfit. They are also unbeaten in their five previous Premier League visits to Wales, with two wins and two draws here at the Liberty Stadium and a victory against Cardiff City during their time in the top flight.

Swansea were the happier of the two teams in the reverse fixture, though, as Chelsea's ill-fated title defence got off to a poor start at Stamford Bridge on the opening day of the season. Ayew and Gomis were on the scoresheet for the visitors in a 2-2 draw that saw Courtois sent off and was also notable for the row between Mourinho and his physios after they have raced on to treat Hazard. It was a result that proved to be the beginning of the end for Mourinho.

Right, we're almost ready to get going at the Liberty Stadium but before we start, let me point you in the direction of the latest edition of our podcast 'The Dugout'. We discuss the midweek European action as well as Conte's appointment as Chelsea boss and much more. Have a listen below!

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KICKOFF: Here we go then! Chelsea get us underway at the Liberty Stadium as they look to impress in their first match since Conte's confirmation.

Bright start to the game from Swansea as they come forward and knock the ball about nicely inside the Chelsea half. It comes to nothing, but the hosts are looking to get going early here.

Another promising Swansea attack comes to nothing, with the hosts winning the ball back in a good area and Ayew carrying it forward. He looks for Paloschi, but the pass in behind the striker and Chelsea win the ball back.

SAVE! The first shooting chance falls to the visitors, and it is far too easy for them to create it. They knock the ball downfield at a leisurely pace before finding Loftus-Cheek in space inside the box, but his crisp strike is held by Fabianski.

Good spell for Swansea here as they keep Chelsea penned right in with persistent pressure in the final third. Once again, they can't make anything of it, but Guidolin will be pretty pleased with what he has seen from his side in these opening exchanges.

Alert goalkeeping from Begovic as he races off his line to collect a pass over the top which was of interest to Paloschi. It is the hosts who are asking the most questions in the early stages here.

SAVE! Another smart piece of goalkeeping from Begovic here as Montero drives into the box and earns a yard on Azpilicueta. He tries to cross the ball into the middle, but it takes a nick of the Chelsea full-back which almost sees it sneak in at the near post. Begovic is down quickly to make the save, though.

Vital piece of defending from Fernandez to dig Cork out of a hole. The Swansea midfielder had given the ball away cheaply to Loftus-Cheek, who immediately looked to drive at the heart of the defence. However, Fernandez makes a good, clean sliding challenge to dispossess the youngster.

CHANCE! Almost a chance for Chelsea as Swansea go to sleep from a corner, which is taken quickly to find Oscar in the box. In the end the defence scramble and put pressure on Oscar as he sends his effort comfortably off target, but it is a warning sign for the hosts.

Chelsea have settled into this game now and, while they struggled to get out of their own half for much of the opening 10 minutes, it is now the visitors who are looking the more threatening.

CHANCE! Brilliant defending from Fernandez to deny Chelsea! Oscar picked the ball up on the right flank and reached the byline before whipping a good delivery in towards the front post. Loftus-Cheek is attacking that area, but he is tracked all the way by Fernandez, who turns it behind for a corner.

CHANCES! Swansea have their first chances of the afternoon, but they can't take either of them! Firstly, Montero slips the ball inside for Sigurdsson in space, but his effort from the edge of the box is too close to Begovic, who makes the save. Moments later they come forward down the opposite flank as Rangel gets forward down the right, but his shot under pressure from Begovic is well off target.

Good defending at the other end from Williams as he steps in to stop Oscar in his tracks on the edge of the box. It was a decent move from the visitors, but Williams was there to make a strong challenge.

Poor from Rangel as he pulls out of a 50-50 with Baba Rahman deep inside his own half, gifting the Chelsea full-back possession. He drives a first-time low cross into the box, but it travels all the way across the six-yard box and through to safety.

Almost another chance for the hosts, with Ayew causing problems by chasing a hopeful ball upfield. Ivanovic can only clear it as far as Montero, who whips a ball into the middle towards Ayew. It is just too high for the forward, though.

CHANCE! Chelsea go right up the other end and create an opening of their own, with Oscar sending a tempting cross into the middle. Pato is coming in at the back post, but can't steer his effort on target.

First blood goes to Swansea! It is Montero who does the damage down the left as he twists and turns his way into a bit of space to cross. His delivery is met by a Chelsea head, but Miazga can only clear it as far as Sigurdsson. The Iceland international doesn't need another invitation to go for goal, and sure enough he fires a first-time volley past Begovic from inside the area.

Sigurdsson has been so important for Swansea in the last few months, and it is his goal that is the difference again at the moment. As things stand, the Swans are heading for the 40-point mark, but there is still a long way to go here.

Swansea will be pretty happy with their performance in the opening half an hour, though. They haven't created a great deal of chances, but they are causing Chelsea problems, with Montero in particular looking in the mood today.

YELLOW CARD! Angel Rangel becomes the first name in the book today for a tug on Baba Rahman.

Chelsea have just about edged the possession so far in this match, but they certainly don't have control over this game. It is an even contest at the moment, with Chelsea's performance showing signs of a typical end-of-season display.

Nervy moment for Begovic as he stutters on the ball after Ivanovic had knocked it back to him. Paloschi is right on top of the Chelsea goalkeeper, but he just about manages to sort his feet out and clear the danger.

CHANCE! Big chance for Swansea to double their lead! A corner is flicked on to Fer at the back post and he has a great chance to go for goal himself, but instead looks for a pass to set up a tap-in. No white shirts can finish it off, though, and moments later Miazga turns the ball towards his own goal and is rescued by a save from Begovic.

YELLOW CARD! Montero has been causing Azpilicueta problems all day, and now he has the Chelsea full-back on a yellow card after being brought down by him.

CHANCE! Another sight of goal for the Swans! Begovic comes off his line to meet a ball over the top, but Baba Rahman is also tracking back and there is a breakdown in communication between the two. Paloschi's pressure does not help and Begovic can only get an unconvincing foot to the ball. It eventually falls to Ayew but, with Begovic out of position, he can't take advantage of the chance.

Chelsea's defending has not been particularly impressive this afternoon, and you can tell that they are missing the experience of Cahill and, in particular Terry. If this is a window into the future without Terry then Chelsea may consider offering him a new deal after all.

YELLOW CARD! Montero again causes problems and again it results in a yellow card, with Miazga dragging the winger back. Free kick in a good crossing position...

CHANCE! Taylor hangs the delivery into the middle and Fer rises much higher than anyone else in the box to get his head to it. He can't get any power behind his header, though, and it is easy for Begovic.

YELLOW CARD! Andre Marriner has his card out again, and this time it goes to Taylor for a poor challenge on Loftus-Cheek. No complaints there.

There will be two added minutes at the end of this first half.

CHANCE! Big chance for Chelsea right at the end of the half as a ball over the top suddenly finds Oscar in space. However, he overruns it a bit and is forced to cut back, by which time Swansea get back to make a block. The loose ball falls to Pato, but he skews his shot wide.

The referee brings an end to the first half at the Liberty Stadium, and it is so far so good for the home side. Swansea lead Chelsea by a goal to nil, and they are worthy of it too. Guidolin's side look a lot hungrier than their visitors, who have simply not got going yet. It was even for long spells of the first half, but Swansea appear to be the side who want the win more.

The only goal of the game so far arrived in the 25th minute, and it was Sigurdsson who continued his fine recent scoring form to put his side ahead. Montero's delivery from the left was only cleared as far as the Icelandic midfielder, who fired a first-time volley past Begovic. It wasn't the cleanest strike, but it did the job to leave the Chelsea keeper helpless.

Swansea have had a number of other decent sights of goal too, with Sigurdsson and Rangel both squandering chances in quick succession before the goal and Leroy Fer passing when he could have gone for goal himself 10 minutes before the interval. Ayew also had a decent opening following a mix-up between Begovic and Baba Rahman, but the Swans were forced to settle for just the one goal in that opening 45 minutes.

Chelsea have had a few sights of goal themselves, not least at the very end of the half when Oscar was released inside the area. He couldn't make the most of the chance, but the loose ball fell to Pato, who could only lash his strike wide when he should have done better. Loftus-Cheek and Oscar have also threatened for the visitors, but for the most part they have struggled to get going this afternoon.

KICKOFF: Swansea get us back underway for the second half as they look to end Chelsea's long unbeaten run, and the first thing to tell you is that the visitors have made a change at half time. It is an interesting one too, with Kenedy replacing Miazga.

Positive play from Loftus-Cheek early on in this half as he skips forward past a couple of white shirts and to the edge of the box. He eventually gets a shot away, but Williams is there to make the block.

That half-time switch has seen Mikel drop back into the heart of the defence alongside Ivanovic, by the way.

Chelsea have made a decent start to this second half, coming out with a bit more urgency about their play. It looked too much like a meaningless end-of-season game from the visitors in the first half, but they have upped their tempo since.

CHANCE! Big chance for Swansea! Montero is again involved and he back-heels the ball to Sigurdsson, who in turn plays it through to Paloschi. It needs a small slice of luck to make it through, but Paloschi then finds himself in on goal. His first touch is heavy, though, and that allows Begovic to smother the ball at the striker's feet.

CHANCE! Big chance at the other end for Chelsea now, and they should be level! It is good football from the visitors in the build-up as Pedro is slipped in down the left channel. He plays a low pass into the middle for Pato, who tries a clever flick inside the far post, but it goes just wide of the target.

Chelsea's threat is beginning to grow as they see more and more of the ball inside the Swansea half. There are a few ominous signs starting to crop up as far as the hosts are concerned.

SAVE! Brilliant save from Begovic! Montero is again the source of the danger down the left, with his cross being cleared by Baba Rahman out to Cork. He hits a first-time 25-yard volley into the ground that bounces up and towards the top corner, but Begovic is at full stretch to push it away.

Chelsea have been very sloppy at times today, and this is another one of those times. Ivanovic gives the ball away far too cheaply and Sigurdsson suddenly has a shooting chance on the edge of the box. Mikel makes an important block and the ball bounces to Ayew, but he drags his effort wide of the near post.

It's been quite the year for Sigurdsson so far. His goal is still the difference as we go into the final half an hour of this game!

CHELSEA SUB: The visitors make their second change of the afternoon, and it is Bertrand Traore who comes on for Pato.

Chelsea have enjoyed 60% of the ball in this second half so far, but there is no way through for them. Fabianski has rarely been tested today.

SWANSEA SUB: A change for the home side here as Wayne Routledge comes on to replace Ayew.

YELLOW CARD! Paloschi goes into the book for a challenge on Pedro from behind.

YELLOW CARD! Pedro himself goes into the book now after being adjudged to have dived when challenged by Cork, although the Spaniard cane feel hard done by there.

Loftus-Cheek gets the better of Fer, who wants a free kick but doesn't get it from Andre Marriner. The Chelsea midfielder gets a shot away that takes a deflection and flies wide of the target, with Fabianski rooted to the spot.

Time keeps ticking away for Swansea as they edge closer and closer to the 40-point mark. Chelsea have not threaten Fabianski anyway near enough so far today.

SWANSEA SUB: Another change for Swansea sees Bafetimbi Gomis, who scored the equaliser in the reverse fixture on the opening day, replace Paloschi.

CHANCE! Oh it should be game over for Swansea! Routledge plays a reverse pass in to Sigurdsson, who skips beyond Baba Rahman to the byline before beating Begovic to the ball and clipping a cross into the middle. Montero is there with the goal gaping in front of him, but he puts his header over the top when he simply had to score!

CHELSEA SUB: A third and final change for Swansea sees Radamel Falcao make his return from a lengthy injury, replacing Loftus-Cheek.

YELLOW CARD! Andre Marriner flashed a few yellow cards off the ball in the last couple of minutes, with Fabregas going into the book for dissent and Ashley Williams for time wasting.

YELLOW CARD! ...and they are swiftly joined by Fer, who becomes the ninth player to be cautioned today.

Chelsea, as expected, are seeing the vast majority of the ball late on, and a lot of it is coming in the Swansea half, but the hosts have defended very impressively today. Williams and Fernandez have repelled everything that has come their way.

SWANSEA SUB: A third and final change from the home side as Montero goes off having hurt Chelsea for the second time this season. He is replaced by Kyle Naughton.

SAVE! More important defending from Williams to track Falcao all the way into the box and get something on the Colombian's strike. The ball bounces up and needs Fabianski to make the save, but it might have been a lot tougher had Williams not got the touch.

Chelsea are asking the late questions, but Swansea have all of the answers. Hiddink will be very unhappy with how little his side have tested Fabianski considering their possession.

There will be five minutes of added time at the end of this match.

More great defending from Williams as he pokes the ball away from Ivanovic just as the Chelsea man was looking to pull the trigger. Swansea look on course for their first Premier League win over Chelsea here!

The celebrations at the final whistle tell you just how big that win is for Swansea. They reach the 40-point mark to all but secure their Premier League status for another season, ending Chelsea's 15-match unbeaten streak in the process. It was a deserved win too, with the hosts performing brilliantly at the back to keep Chelsea at bay and also creating a number of chances at the other end too.

The only goal of the contest came from Sigurdsson, who made it nine this calendar year and 11 for the season when he fired a first-time volley past Begovic from inside the area. It was Montero who was the creator, with his cross into the middle only being cleared as far as Sigurdsson, who did the rest. It could have been even better for the Swans, but they were certainly settle for another win to take them 13 points clear of the drop zone.

That is all we have time for this afternoon! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's match as Swansea's survival hopes are all but fulfilled with their first ever Premier League victory over Chelsea. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too. From me, though, it is goodbye for now!