Preview | Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City
Swansea City head to Hillsborough looking to buck the trend of their recent record at the ground and continue their winning run.
Victories over Cardiff and Wigan have seen Steve Cooper’s men surge back up to fourth in the Championship table.
They have not enjoyed the best of fortunes at Sheffield Wednesday, winning just one of their last 14 league visits.
But the Swans have made a habit of picking up results on their travels this season - they are currently unbeaten in nine league away games - and travel in buoyant mood after snatching the three points at the DW Stadium last time out.
Wednesday, managed by former Swans boss Garry Monk, have made an encouraging start to the season themselves and boast the second-best home defensive record in the division.
They will be no pushovers - indeed, they are yet to lose at home in the league under Monk - and Swans fans will only need to look back to the 3-1 defeat in South Yorkshire last term to know the threat the Owls will pose.
But the visitors will look to keep the momentum going having recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since August.
Team news
Jordon Garrick will be sidelined for three months after suffering a hamstring injury in training this week.
Swansea will again be without defender Joe Rodon as he continues his own rehabilitation following successful surgery on an ankle injury.
Aldo Kalulu has stepped up his return from his own ankle problem, but the on-loan French winger is not yet ready for first team action.
Erwin Mulder is close to returning from a broken finger.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “It’s a game we’re really looking forward to, it’s a big club and an iconic stadium. We’ll be ready.
“We’re not talking too much about our away run, we take each game as it comes.
“We don’t have a different approach whether we’re home or away, we try to win each game. So far it’s served us well and the plans won’t change.”
Garry Monk: “It was the best period of my career, it was the most successful period of my career as a player and as a manager, it was an unbelievable experience.
“It was a big learning curve and set me up for the years I’ve done since.
“It was an honour to play for and manage the club but I’ve moved on now. The club is very different to when I was there, personnel has changed and I don’t know the ins and outs anymore.
“Obviously there are staff I speak to but that’s more general things and not just football but there will be a few faces who will be good to see.
“But the main thing for me now is about Sheffield Wednesday and how we can approach this game and put ourselves in the best possible position to win it.”
Remember the last time?
The Swans suffered a miserable afternoon at Hillsborough as they succumbed to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in February 2019.
Graham Potter’s side found themselves 3-0 down at the break as Adam Reach (2) and Steven Fletcher hammered home the Owls’ dominance.
Reach swept home the opener after the Swans had surrendered possession in midfield, while a poor defensive clearance allowed the midfielder to double the lead.
Fletcher than added an acrobatic third after more poor defending from a corner.
The Swans improved in the latter stages of the second half as substitute Wayne Routledge pulled a goal back, but it was a first-half performance they will have wanted to forget.
Prime numbers
1 – Swansea have won just one of their last 14 league visits to Hillsborough, that coming courtesy of a 2-0 win in 2009.
9 – Swansea are unbeaten in nine away league games, their best form on their travels since the 2007-08 season.