Preview: Sunderland v Swans
29th January
The Swans will be looking to continue their recent good form when they take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (7.45pm).
Michael Laudrup's men have lost just once in their last ten games in all competitions and currently sit ninth in the Barclays Premier League.
And the squad capped a fine few months with victory over Chelsea to land a place in the club's first major cup final.
They will now meet Bradford in next month's Capital One Cup showpiece at Wembley, but for the time being it is back to the Premier League.
Laudrup's men face a Sunderland side that have been in good form lately, recording back-to-back wins over Wigan and West Ham.
Martin O'Neill's side struggled in the early stages of the season, but their form has picked up largely thanks to the goals of striker Steven Fletcher.
The Scot scored twice on his debut for Sunderland against Swansea back in September - a game that finished 2-2.
The home side will be without injured trio Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar (both hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (knee).
Meanwhile, Swans boss Michael Laudrup has no fresh injury concerns, while Wayne Routledge could play his 150th Premier League game.
What they said
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill: "They (Swansea) have done fantastically, following on from last season's first attempt in the Premier League.
"They've kept the momentum going through a change of manager without any real change in style.
"There's parallels between now and last season, when we had an excellent January. We have to try and continue in the same vein if possible, though it won't be easy of course."
Swans boss Michael Laudrup: "We go into Tuesday's game with confidence having already won six away games this season.
"Away wins are important because they give you something extra. We are on 33 points at the moment but we want to get to the 40-point mark as quickly as we can.
"The target before the season started was survival. When we arrive there, we'll see how many games we have left and then look at a new target."
Head to head
Swansea are yet to beat Sunderland in the Premier League, including an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium back in September.
In the corresponding fixture last season, the Black Cats scored a goal in either half to secure a 2-0 win.
Sunderland stats
Sunderland have won four of their last six league games
The Black Cats are looking to record three consecutive league wins for the first time this season
Martin O'Neill's side have failed to win a league match this season in which they trailed at half-time (D1, L6)
Swansea stats
Swansea are unbeaten in their last six league matches (W2, D4)
The Swans have conceded just nine goals away from home this season - they are the only Premier League club not to have conceded double figures
They are yet to lose a league match after opening the scoring, winning on eight of those nine occasions
32Red odds: Sunderland 13/9 Swans 39/19 Draw 23/10
Michael Laudrup's men have lost just once in their last ten games in all competitions and currently sit ninth in the Barclays Premier League.
And the squad capped a fine few months with victory over Chelsea to land a place in the club's first major cup final.
They will now meet Bradford in next month's Capital One Cup showpiece at Wembley, but for the time being it is back to the Premier League.
Laudrup's men face a Sunderland side that have been in good form lately, recording back-to-back wins over Wigan and West Ham.
Martin O'Neill's side struggled in the early stages of the season, but their form has picked up largely thanks to the goals of striker Steven Fletcher.
The Scot scored twice on his debut for Sunderland against Swansea back in September - a game that finished 2-2.
The home side will be without injured trio Danny Rose, Carlos Cuellar (both hamstring) and Lee Cattermole (knee).
Meanwhile, Swans boss Michael Laudrup has no fresh injury concerns, while Wayne Routledge could play his 150th Premier League game.
What they said
Sunderland boss Martin O'Neill: "They (Swansea) have done fantastically, following on from last season's first attempt in the Premier League.
"They've kept the momentum going through a change of manager without any real change in style.
"There's parallels between now and last season, when we had an excellent January. We have to try and continue in the same vein if possible, though it won't be easy of course."
Swans boss Michael Laudrup: "We go into Tuesday's game with confidence having already won six away games this season.
"Away wins are important because they give you something extra. We are on 33 points at the moment but we want to get to the 40-point mark as quickly as we can.
"The target before the season started was survival. When we arrive there, we'll see how many games we have left and then look at a new target."
Head to head
Swansea are yet to beat Sunderland in the Premier League, including an entertaining 2-2 draw at the Liberty Stadium back in September.
In the corresponding fixture last season, the Black Cats scored a goal in either half to secure a 2-0 win.
Sunderland stats
Sunderland have won four of their last six league games
The Black Cats are looking to record three consecutive league wins for the first time this season
Martin O'Neill's side have failed to win a league match this season in which they trailed at half-time (D1, L6)
Swansea stats
Swansea are unbeaten in their last six league matches (W2, D4)
The Swans have conceded just nine goals away from home this season - they are the only Premier League club not to have conceded double figures
They are yet to lose a league match after opening the scoring, winning on eight of those nine occasions
32Red odds: Sunderland 13/9 Swans 39/19 Draw 23/10
