Will a meeting with England rugby head coach Eddie Jones inspire Antonio Conte against Swansea?

The Chelsea boss and his coaching staff visited Jones and the England rugby team this week to compare training methods.

"For me it was very interesting to observe another sport and the differences between the two, such as the physical aspect to their training, as well as speak with Eddie Jones about the analysis side to the game," said Conte.

The Italian added: "Eddie is a winner and he is transferring that mentality on to the team."

Image source, Rex Features

Paul Clement will not have any problems finding his way around Stamford Bridge.

Swansea's 45-year-old boss spent two spells with Chelsea's coaching staff, including a spell as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant when the Blues won the title in 2010.

Clement's previous experience of Antonio Conte came during his time as Ancelotti's assistant at Real Madrid when they faced Juventus in the Champions League.

"He has done a really good job at Chelsea," Clement said.

"They have looked really strong home and away with the new formation they are playing, there is a lot of confidence." 

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte: "It's nonsense to say Chelsea have won the league when there are 13 games to play. We must be focused and take it step by step.

"I watched Swansea's games against Liverpool and Leicester and the coach has had a great impact on the team. We must pay great attention."

On his thinking behind recalling Cesc Fabregas in place of Nemanja Matic: "After a week's work I try to take the best decision for the team. I know I can count on these players. Every game I have to make the best decision."

Image source, Rex Features

Guy Mowbray
Match of the Day commentator at Stamford Bridge

Claudio Ranieri's sacking - a Chelsea v Swansea guide:

Paul Clement.  A change of boss  has taken Swansea above Leicester in the table, and their comfortable win over the Foxes two weeks ago followed a pledge by the champions' owners of 'unwavering support' to their manager.

Now former Chelsea assistant manager Clement returns to Stamford Bridge, along with assistant…..Claude Makelele. Twice a champion with Chelsea. He re-defined the role of 'midfield shield', paving the way for the likes of….

N'Golo Kante. Like Makelele, brought to the Premier League by Ranieri. THE key player in Leicester's title win, he's now playing a huge part in making Chelsea champions under….

Antonio Conte. Sacked next season? Sicuramente no!

Image source, Rex Features

Swansea City

Image source, .

Five weeks ago Swansea were anchored at the bottom of the Premier League table yet three wins from the past four games has earned them a four-point safety cushion.

Whatever happens at Stamford Bridge, they will be confident of staying out of the bottom four in the coming weeks.

Their next four games after this are: Burnley (home); Hull City (away); Bournemouth (away) and Middlesbrough (home).

Chelsea

Image source, .

Chelsea are closing in on their second Premier League title in three seasons thanks to some seriously impressive home form.

While Antonio Conte's side have failed to win in three of their past four away games, they have won nine in a row at Stamford Bridge since losing 2-1 to Liverpool on 16 September.

Chelsea had 60 points after 26 games in 2014-15 when they went on to be crowned champions of England. Victory today will see them move to 63 points from the same number of matches.

Image source, .

Cesc Fabregas returns to Chelsea's midfield in place of Nemanja Matic, the only change from the team that drew 1-1 at Burnley on 12 February - their last Premier League match.

Chelsea XI: Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Moses, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard. Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Willian, Batshuayi, Terry.

Image source, .

One change also for Swansea from the team that won 2-0 against Leicester on 12 February, as midfielder Wayne Routledge replaces Nathan Dyer.

Swansea City XI: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson, Fer, Cork, Carroll, Routledge, Llorente, Sigurdsson. Subs: Ayew, Amat, Britton, Borja Baston, Nordfeldt, Rangel, Narsingh.

They will be on the outside looking in when the first major trophy of the season is contested at Wembley in just over 24 hours.

Image source, Rex Features

Yet Chelsea have their eyes on something a little bigger than the League Cup. 

Image source, Rex Features

Beat Swansea today and the Blues will pull 11 points clear at the top of the table - and their dream of sealing an impressive Premier League-FA Cup double will be a little closer to reality.  

Image source, Getty Images