Preview | Swansea City v Preston North End

17th August
First team
Swansea.com Stadium in the surroundings

Swansea City will look to make it two home wins in a week when they host Preston North End at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The Swans host the Lilywhites in their first home Championship fixture of the season, having seen off Gillingham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

The visitors were also victorious in knockout action, beating Sunderland 2-0 in their first game since the departure of head coach Ryan Lowe.

 

Team news

Ronald Middlesbrough

Head coach Luke Williams will weigh up whether to hand Ronald a first league start of the season after the Brazilian's eye-catching display against Gillingham in midweek.

The Swans boss confirmed goalkeeper Andy Fisher is facing a spell on the sidelines after groin surgery, while Joe Allen, Josh Ginnelly, Sam Parker and Aimar Govea are currently sidelined.

 

Pre-match views

Luke Williams: "I feel like we are in a good place.

"We know we should win the game in midweek, and we were expected to win the game, but there is a way of winning and the team performed in the way I would like us to perform more often.

"That is something we can achieve, we have some new players and some younger players and we need that time to rehearse and be brave enough to try and play like that in the Championship.

"I have no doubt we can do that.”

 

Mike Marsh: “It will be a tough game, they are a good side.

“I know quite a bit about Swansea, having spent two years down there as a coach.

“It will be good to go back and see some old faces, but nothing will please me more than turning them over. We’ve got three days to prep; I’ve been here for two-and-a-half years, I know the players really well.”

 

Meet the officials

Stephen Martin referee

Experienced referee Stephen Martin is the man in charge this afternoon, you can find out more about him and his team of officials here.

 

Remember the last time?

Jamie Paterson struck a stoppage-time winner as Swansea City secured all three points in their final home game of 2023 against Preston North End at the Swansea.com Stadium.

The midfielder had broken the deadlock in superb fashion on the hour mark as he expertly sent a lovely pass from Matt Grimes into the bottom corner for his fourth goal of the season.

However, the lead would prove shortlived as Liam Millar worked room to beat Carl Rushworth and level for the Lilywhites seven minutes later.

But Paterson was on hand to complete his brace in the fifth of seven added minutes as he swept home left-footed after Liam Cullen had seized on a poor pass.

 

Prime numbers

1 - The last time Preston were Swansea's first home opponents in a league campaign, the Swans were 1-0 winners thanks to a Jay Fulton header in August 2018.

6 - In each of the last six meetings between the sides, the home side has emerged victorious.

10 - Swansea City have won 10 of their last 11 meetings with North End in SA1.