Swansea welcome Fulham to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday hoping to get back to winning ways after their disappointing defeat at Blackburn last week.
Brendan Rodgers’ side haven’t won in their last matches at the Liberty Stadium after losing their unbeaten home record to Manchester United three weeks ago. A bright start to their debut campaign in the top-flight saw the Swans win a legion of admirers for their total football style passing principles as opposed to the usual backs to the wall approach adopted by promoted teams. However despite their encouraging start to life in the Premier League their form has dipped considerably since mid-October with Welsh club recording just one win in their last seven league games. They went three games without scoring before finding the net at Blackburn last week although they went on to lose 4-2 against the relegation strugglers. Their inexperience at this level is starting to become evident with each passing game and it’s starting to cost them points. Conceding goals has started to become a monumental issue whilst finding the net themselves is also a problem having scored just 14 in as many games. Manager Rodgers has the likes of Scott Sinclair, Leroy Lita and Danny Graham to choose from up front with the latter the only forward who has score consistently at times this season. Supporters will be extremely disappointed that Sinclair has failed to replicate his form in the Championship in the top-flight with a series of underwhelming displays seeing his place come under threat. Starting their festive campaign off against in-form Fulham is hardly ideal and it might be a good idea to implement a more stringent approach to ward off yet another winless game.
The Cottagers have endured a tiring season so far with their Europa League campaign mixed with their domestic commitments casing fatigue levels to rise on the Thames. A stop-start campaign, which has been mixed with impressive victories and disappointing defeats, see’s Martin Jol’s side lie 13th in the Premier League table with only three wins on the board. Their latest success is arguably their most impressive of all with Liverpool leaving Craven Cottage empty handed after Clint Dempsey’s late goal securing a priceless three points. It was as good a defensive performance that Fulham have provided this season as they frustrated the Red’s £50 million plus strike force for 90 minutes before their late smash and grab. The win provided a five-point safety net between themselves and the relegation zone with a run of one defeat in their last five putting them on the road to safety. It’s been a frustratingly slow start for Jol since his appointment in the summer with the players initially struggling to get to grips with the Dutchman’s attacking philosophy. Goals have been a problem this season with the Cottagers finding the net only 16 times this season. They’ll need to start scoring ahead of the energy sapping festiveseason with Swansea providing a great opportunity to preserve the confidence built up during their strong form in November.
Swansea – 15th
Last Five: Lost 4-2 v Blackburn (A), Drew 0-0 v Aston Villa (H), Lost 1-0 v Manchester United (H), Drew 0-0 v Liverpool (A), Won 3-1 v Bolton (H)
Potential Starting X11: 1. M. Vorm 27. A. Richards 2. A. Williams 16. G. Monk [C] 3. N. Taylor 27. M. Gower 15. W. Routledge 7. L. Britton 12. N. Dyer 11. S. Sinclair* 16. L. Lita
Injury News: Rodgers is without leading scorer Danny Graham for the visit of Fulham whilst Angel Rangel remains out.
Key Player: Scott Sinclair
Despite not being able to match his performances from last seasons successful Championship campaign Sinclair still remains a vital part of the Swansea squad. The work he does up and down the left flank has proved invaluable to the Welsh side this season and whilst his goals tally may not look pretty it’s his overall contribution to the team that has saw him retain his starting place. His pace and skill down the wing will be vital on Sunday as will his tracking back
Match Fact: Swansea have won only one of their last 12 league games against Fulham with that victory coming in whilst also being thrashed 7-0 in a 1995 FA Cup tie.
Fulham – 13th
Last Five: Won 1-0 v Liverpool (H), Drew 1-1 v Arsenal (A), Drew 0-0 v Sunderland (A), Lost 3-1 v Tottenham (H), Won 2-0 v Wigan (A)
Potential Starting X11: 1. M. Schwarzer 6. C. Baird 18. A. Hughes 5. B. Hangeland 3. J. Riise 11. B. Ruiz 10. P. Kasami 20. D. Etuhu 23. C. Dempsey* 30. M. Dembele 25. B. Zamora
Injury News: Captain Danny Murphy has been ruled out for the Cottagers whils Damien Duff and Steve Sidwell will also miss the trip to Wales.
Key Player: Clint Dempsey
Despite a slightly underwhelming start to the season from Dempsey he proved his worth to Fulham with the late winner against Liverpool on Monday. The American hasn’t been at his best for the Cottagers during the current campaign but he is still one of the best players in the Premier League and he can be unstoppable when he wants to be. With Danny Murphy out injured Jol will be relying on Dempsey to provide the midfield inspiration that will see them record a second win in a row.
Match Fact: Fulham haven’t tasted defeat against Swansea in four games since a 2-1 loss in May 1994 when both sides were plying their trade in the old Second Division.
Last Time at Liberty Stadium
FA Cup 14 February 2009
Swansea 1-1 Fulham
Scotland (52)
Monk (44 ,OG)
Attendance: 16,573
Referee: Howard Webb
PREDICTION Fulham’s win against Liverpool will have lifted the confidence levels at Craven Cottage and they’ll be expecting to take all three points against Swansea on Saturday to move further away from danger. The Swans haven’t been performing well of late and their poor run of form has seen then edge close to the drop zone. However they are difficult to beat at home and should grab at least a point.
Score: 1-1
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