Preview | Southampton v Swansea City

26th December
First team

Swansea City and over 1,300 members of the Jack Army make the trip to Southampton for this afternoon's Boxing Day fixture hoping to build on victory over Preston North End (3pm).

The Swans head to the south coast on the back of a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Lilywhites, courtesy of a Jamie Paterson brace, including a 95th-minute winner.

They have taken seven points from their last four games as they prepare to take on a Saints side unbeaten in 15 Championship games and firmly among the promotion hoepfuls.

 

TEAM NEWS

 

Joe Allen warm up

Caretaker head coach Alan Sheehan will assess his squad after seeing Josh Key among those to pick up knocks during that win over Preston.

Joe Allen was fit enough for a place on the bench on Friday, while Nathan Wood's substitute appearance saw him feature for the first time since September.

Kristian Pedersen, Azeem Abdulai and Mykola Kuharevich are all working their way back to full fitness.

 

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Alan Sheehan

Alan Sheehan: "We have got to dust ourselves down quickly and be ready to go.

“We have shown resilience away from home, so it’s about building that character to be able to get wins and points on the board.

“We are at the halfway stage of the season, we are not where we want to be but hopefully we can keep building confidence within the group.

“We know the challenge, every game poses different questions and challenges but we want to go there and put on a performance.

“Winning is a good habit to get in to, particularly when you know you have room to improve.”

Russell Martin: “It'll be nice to see people and catch up with people who were brilliant for us in our two years there, but ultimately I want to win the game. 

“They will want to win the game, so I don't know if that makes it any more special or not, but hopefully we win and then then I can enjoy seeing people after, because if we don't win, you don't enjoy any of that.”

 

MEET THE OFFICIALS

Close up of referee Keith Stroud

Keith Stroud will be the man in the middle for this afternoon's fixture.

You can find our more about the experienced Hampshire-based referee and his team of officials here.

 

REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?

Swansea City secured a point as they held Southampton to a goalless draw on their last visit to St Mary's in the opening game of the 2017-18 season.

The hosts created the better chances with Manolo Gabbiadini striking a post,while Dusan Tadic, Maya Yoshida and James Ward-Prowse were denied by Lukasz Fabianski.

Tammy Abraham and Leroy Fer had Swansea's best chances, the striker heading wide early on with midfielder Fer volleying off target in the second half.

 

PRIME NUMBERS

Jamie Paterson goal

9 - No Swansea City player has more goal involvements that Jamie Paterson this season, with the midfielder having five goals and four assists to his name.

70 - Southampton has not proven a happy place to visit for the Swans historically, with just one victory in 14 away games dating back to 1953. That solitary win came courtesy of a stunning Jonjo Shelvey goal in 2015.