Preview | Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers
Swansea City host Blackburn Rovers at the Swansea.com Stadium this afternoon in their first home match of the 2022-23 season (3pm).
Russell Martin’s side will be hoping for a winning start at home after coming from behind to take a draw at Rotherham United last time out.
The visitors were one of seven teams to take three points in their opening fixture as they defeated Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Ewood Park thanks to a stunning Lewis Travers’ strike.
TEAM NEWS
Russell Martin has no new injury concerns following Saturday’s outing against Rotherham United.
Joe Allen is set to miss out again as he recovers from a hamstring injury, but he is expected to be fit enough to be in contention for selection against Oxford or Blackpool next week.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Russell Martin:
"I am excited, we all are. We enjoy playing at home. Last season the players built a brilliant connection with the supporters in how they played and the backing they showed.
"It was really positive and we are looking forward to being back at home. We have got the first game out the way, there has been less anxiety in training because everyone wants to get that first game out of the way.
"That has seen a release of some of the tension you get as the season is about to start, and the players have trained really well.
"We want to get that first win early, it was nice to get a point on the board last week even if we were frustrated not to get all three.
"We have looked at the video on how we can improve and I think we will improve on that performance this weekend."
Jon Dahl Tomasson:
“I know they are a good team with the ball and possession-wise they are strong with lots of good movements.
“They are good at that. In modern football, you need to be flexible.
“Just because they are good with the ball, we are allowed to be good with the ball. It’s okay if we are good on the ball as well.”
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?
Michael Obafemi netted his first goal at the Swansea.com Stadium to give 10-man Swansea City victory over promotion hopefuls Blackburn Rovers.
The striker headed home the only goal of the game, making the most of an excellent cross from Jamie Paterson to find the net.
The hosts then found themselves down a man early in the second half as Ryan Manning saw red after receiving a second yellow card.
But Russell Martin’s side dug in and showed tremendous character to claim the three points and give keeper Andy Fisher a first clean sheet in his new colours against one of his former clubs.
PRIME NUMBERS
4 – Of the past seven championship contests between the two sides, four have ended in draws.
10 – Michael Obafemi’s goal against Blackburn at home last season sparked the beginning of an excellent second half of the campaign as he went on to score a further 10 goals in 18 matches.
11 – Following his equaliser at Rotherham on the opening day, Harry Darling took his goal tally since the start of the 2021-22 season to 11. The most of any defender in the top four tiers.