The Match
Swansea will be hoping the first visit of a non-Champions League chasing side this season will result in a much awaited home win. Last time out against Southampton they huffed and puffed but failed to come close to blowing anything defence-shaped down, so the fact that the visitors boast the league's leakiest defence won't have got past Michael Laudrup. They should be fired up after most of the squad enjoyed a rest during the international break, and the Swansea boss will no doubt be expecting three points from this encounter.
Sunderland will be hoping a change of manager will bring about a change of fortunes. Yet to claim a league win, they've only managed one point from seven games and unless that changes soon you'd have to imagine they'll be leading candidates for relegation come spring. New boss Gus Poyet should get his side playing more structured football than the more...ahem..."motivationally focused" Paolo Di Canio, and as he's had the international break to work his magic his side should arrive in South Wales confident of making a much better fist of it than in previous matches. Remarkably, five of their seven games have been played at home so unless they start picking up points soon it could be a long, hard season for the team from the North East.
Prior Form (Most recent at top)
Team News - provided by Physioroom.com's Ben Dinnery
Swansea entertain Sunderland on Saturday in their first 3pm kick-off of the season to begin a “huge” and “pivotal” week of football for Michael Laudrups’ men. Positive news on the injury front as the Jacks treatment room is beginning to clear with a number of first team members expected to be available for selection this weekend. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm should be fine after picking up a slight hand injury during the World Cup qualifiers while de Guzman and Monk has recovered from their respective groin and knee niggles. Leon Britton is a minor concern having missed training during the international break because of a calf injury while Spanish playmaker Pablo Hernandez (thigh) will return after six weeks out, although his recent illness may mean a place on the bench is likely. Full-back Ben Davies has progressed well after his hamstring injury at Southampton, the defender was initially ruled out for around four weeks, but providing there is no reaction in training today he could be a part of the match-day squad.
For Sunderland the new manager has brought a renewed confidence with a surge of positivity sweeping across Wearside as Gus Poyet takes charge of his first game with a fully fit squad at his disposal. The big news is the return of striker Steven Fletcher who recovers after dislocating his shoulder at West Brom in September, the manager has already hinted at a possible start with Altidore potentially dropping to the bench after his midweek international exertions. Goalkeeper Westwood (shoulder) should retain the number one jersey despite missing out for Ireland with full-back Phil Bardsley back in the frame following his recent off-field antics and broken foot. Andrea Dossena is in line for his first competitive appearance for the Black Cats but Wes Brown is unlikely to be risked despite his recovery from on-going knee and calf problems.
For Sunderland the new manager has brought a renewed confidence with a surge of positivity sweeping across Wearside as Gus Poyet takes charge of his first game with a fully fit squad at his disposal. The big news is the return of striker Steven Fletcher who recovers after dislocating his shoulder at West Brom in September, the manager has already hinted at a possible start with Altidore potentially dropping to the bench after his midweek international exertions. Goalkeeper Westwood (shoulder) should retain the number one jersey despite missing out for Ireland with full-back Phil Bardsley back in the frame following his recent off-field antics and broken foot. Andrea Dossena is in line for his first competitive appearance for the Black Cats but Wes Brown is unlikely to be risked despite his recovery from on-going knee and calf problems.
Completely guessed lineups
Statistics & Trivia
- Swansea have completed 493 passes per game so far this season - the most in the league.
- Sunderland have kept clean sheets in three of their previous four PL games against the Swans.
- The Swans currently have the longest run of games at home without a win - eight, dating back to the Newcastle game last season.
- Swansea are one off 100 Premier League goals.
- Poyet is the 11th "permanent" Sunderland manager to be appointed in the Premier League.
- Under Poyet last season, Brighton had the best defence in the Championship, only conceding 43 goals in 46 games.
- Michu has been involved in more shots than any other player this season - 32. He's had 16 shots and created 16 chances for others.
- Sunderland are only the sixth team in Premier League history to have recorded one (or no) point after seven games. Three of the previous five were relegated. .
- Sunderland have gone 11 league games without a win.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Michael Laudrup speaks about Ashley Williams' fitness, and his pride about Michu making the Spanish squad:
Sunderland boss Gus Poyet fancies his chances of turning around Sunderland's fortunes:
Analysis
Swansea need to go for the kill. If Sunderland get to around half an hour gone without conceding it's distinctly possible they'll develop a sense of confidence they've probably been lacking so far this season, and it's imperative we don't afford it to them.
I really hope we see Leon & Canas deployed at the base of the midfield, especially with Ash and possibly Ben Davies out of action. With the need for a home win at the forefront of everyone's minds, Laudrup will surely deploy both Michu & Bony in the hunt for goals, which puts added pressure on the two other midfielders. I worry that without the balance the aforementioned midfield duo provide we could lose control of the midfield in a game we really can't be losing.
Hopefully Pablo will be fit enough to start, and he's surely itching to be back in amongst the action. With Bony not featuring in Ivory Coast's most recent match he'll also be fully fit, so I'm expecting a dynamic, deadly attacking performance for the Swans.
One cause for concern is the likelihood Steven Fletcher will be available for selection for Sunderland. The classy forward has three in three against the Swans so far in the Premier League and without Ash it'll be a tough task keeping him off the scoresheet. He'll need to be watched carefully lest he gets an early goal which allows Sunderland a foothold in the game.
New Sunderland manager Poyet will no doubt have been drilling his squad with his way of thinking, but given he's probably trying to get them to pass the ball around a lot they couldn't really be up against a worse team. - especially when you consider Ki (on loan from the Swans) is probably their best exponent of that type of football, and he's unavailable due to the conditions of the loan agreement.
Given the distinct possibility Fletcher will start I'm not confident of a clean sheet, but I am confident of a win. 3-1 Swans, with Bony impressing. Distance call, but I've had a beer and I'm feeling optimistic. Go on Wilf!