PREVIEW: Swans v Hull

9th December


The Swans will be looking for back-to-back home league wins when they take on Hull at the Liberty (8pm).

Michael Laudrup's side won for only the second time at the Liberty this season when they beat Newcastle last Wednesday.

That 3-0 victory was a timely boost for the Swans as they put themselves within three points of a place in the top ten of the Premier League.

Hull, meanwhile, will have similar ambitions on Monday as they also go in search of the win that would take them up the table.

Steve Bruce's side have settled in well to the top-flight following promotion last season, having picked up 17 points from their 14 games so far.

There will be a familiar face in the black and amber of the visitors as Danny Graham returns to the Liberty Stadium.

The striker is on a season-long loan from Sunderland - who he joined from the Swans last January - but is yet to find the net for the Tigers this season.

 

TEAM NEWS

Alvaro Vazquez is ruled out for the home side with a groin strain, while both Michu and Wilfried Bony are back in training.

Hull welcome Curtis Davies back from suspension, and the defender could partner James Chester in defence.

 

WHAT THEY SAID

Swans boss Michael Laudrup: "For me, it's a huge week for us. If we can get points in the two league games, and we can move on to the knockout phase of the Europa League, it would be great.

"We have to fight for it because it will be three really tough games. There's so many Premier League games in a short time, you can move up or down very quickly.

"When you have confidence, like our players have after the win on Wednesday, you have to take advantage of it. That's what we have to do this week."

 

Hull boss Steve Bruce: "They've done it their way and Swansea are an unbelievable success story.

"It's a group of supporters and their chairman who have had a great vision. You have to compliment them for the way they've done it and the way they play.

"It'll be a really difficult game as they've come on leaps and bounds over the last few years. If we could copy them over the next few it would be fantastic."

 

SWANSEA STATS

  • No team has benefitted from more own goals than Swansea this season (4) while two of their last five goals have come via the opposition
  • The Swans have averaged 59.2% possession this season - higher than any other club - while only three teams have a lower figure than Hull (43.3%)
  • After 24 Premier League games without a goal at the Liberty Stadium, Nathan Dyer has now scored in successive home league matches

HULL STATS

  • Hull City have won three and lost none of the last four league meetings with Swansea
  • Steve Bruce's side have won just one of their last 31 Barclays Premier League away games (W1 D7 L23)
  • The Tigers have lost five of their last seven Premier League games overall (W2)

** Don't forget you can follow live updates from the Liberty Stadium on Twitter via @SwansOfficial or the official website.

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