Preview | Birmingham City v Swansea City
Swansea City will be backed by 2,000 members of the Jack Army as they travel to St Andrew’s to face Birmingham City in Luke Williams’ first league match since taking charge this afternoon (3pm).
The Swans played out a 1-1 draw with the Blues on the opening day of the season, with Jerry Yates’ strike securing a point.
But it’s all change for both sides this time round. Williams will be taking charge of his first Championship fixture, while newly-appointed Birmingham manager Tony Mowbray has the reins of the home side for the first time.
The Swans will be hoping to build on back-to-back wins at the start of 2024, while the home side will be hoping for a winning beginning under their new boss.
TEAM NEWS
Azeem Abdulai will miss Swansea City’s trip to Birmingham City after being withdrawn with a hamstring injury during last weekend’s FA Cup tie.
And the club are awaiting news on Liam Walsh’s calf injury sustained in the Championship fixture with West Bromwich Albion.
Harrison Ashby, Josh Key and Josh Ginnelly are also sidelined for the Swans ahead of the trip to St Andrew’s.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Luke Williams: "When I was first here my first game was Blackburn away and Tony Mowbray was their manager.
“Now we go to Birmingham, away from home, and Tony is their manager. I don’t know if he’s done it on purpose!
“I have been up against Tony a number of times, and I think everyone knows he is top and he knows exactly what he is doing.
“We are in similar situations. We will both be trying to make an impact on our teams as quickly as we can."
Tony Mowbray: "Swansea have a new coach themselves, I know Luke Williams well. He's certainly in the mould that Swansea historically like to play, very open and possession-based.
"It is important we work with the group, coach each individual about how we want to play. It may take some time to see the finished article, but at the moment the players are really listening ahead of the Swansea game.
"I want the fans to see a team who are working as hard as they possibly can on Saturday, a team they can be proud of. Hopefully, we can put some smiles on faces at St. Andrew's and come away with the three points."
MEET THE OFFICIALS
Matthew Donohue will be the man in the middle on Saturday. He will be assisted by Paul Hodskinson and Bhupinder Singh Gill, while David Webb is the fourth official.
It's the third time Donohue had overseen a Swans match this term, and you can find out more about him here.
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?
Swansea City were denied victory by a stoppage-time equaliser from Troy Deeney on their last trip to St Andrew's.
Scott Hogan had put the Blues ahead, but Olivier Ntcham swept home his fifth goal of the season before Matt Grimes scored his first goal in 18 months to put the visitors ahead at the break.
But they were unable to see the game out as Hogan flicked on a corner and Deeney smashed home from close range.
PRIME NUMBERS
4 – St Andrew’s is not a happy hunting ground for the Swans. They have won just four of their 23 matches against the Blues at the ground since first heading there in 1946.
4 – Charlie Patino registered his fourth goal of the season for the Swans last Saturday, bettering his tally from last term with Blackpool. He also has four assists.
7 – Jerry Yates took his tally for the season to seven with a goal against Morecambe last time out. He’s now the club’s topscorer, while Jamie Paterson has the most goal contributions with five goals and four assists. A total of 17 players have been on the scoresheet for the Swans this season.