Preview | Swansea City v Stoke City
Swansea City host Stoke City in the televised Championship clash on Wednesday evening (8pm kick-off).
The Swans will be looking to bounce back after defeats to Queens Park Rangers and Middlesbrough, while visitors Stoke will be hoping to build on draws against Huddersfield Town and West Bromwich Albion in their previous two outings.
The Potters are one point below the Swans and would leapfrog them with a win this evening.
Team News
The Swans are waiting on the fitness of Josh Tymon after he was withdrawn from the weekend’s clash against Boro, while they continue to be without Joe Allen and Przemysław Płacheta for this evening’s match.
Sam Parker, Kyle Naughton and Josh Ginnelly are the longer-term injury absentees.
Pre-match views
Luke Williams: "It doesn't have to be a spectacular performance but it needs certain elements to the performance to show the fans they are being respected.
"Maybe the players don't realise the importance of applying yourself to the maximum in every moment of the game.
"I have to convince them of that. I have to convince them that every single time we go on the pitch we have to play properly.
"We can get beaten, we can get beaten by a great team or something like that, or because you are unlucky on the day or whatever, but you cannot beat yourself in that way."
Steven Schumacher: "Only a few weeks ago we saw Swansea play Cardiff at home and they were excellent.
"I know they've had a couple of difficult results since, but they're a top team and the way they pass the ball and the way they move is really hard to try to figure out and stop.
"You've got to be at it, make sure your plan is right and that everyone is committed to the plan. If you can do that and cause them problems, you're in with a chance of getting a result as any team is.
"So yes, we're confident, but we're also not taking anything for granted. It's a really tough game."
Meet the officials
Keith Stroud will be the man in charge this evening. It’s the fourth time he’s taken charge of a Swans match this term, most recently overseeing proceedings in the win at Sunderland in February.
He will be assisted by Matthew Smith and Nigel Lugg. Josh Smith will be the fourth official.
Click here to meet the officials.
Remember the last time?
Swansea City fell to defeat against Stoke City as the visitors came from behind to take all three points at the Swansea.com Stadium on their last visit to SA1.
The home side had taken a lead with less than two minutes on the clock as Morgan Whittaker scored from a Joe Allen pass.
But the lead did not last long, Josh Laurent converting from close range in the 15th minute, before the Potters captain gave them a lead they were not to relinquish four minutes later with an excellent finish from the edge of the area.
Both sides had chances in a second half that lacked the frenetic nature of the first 45 minutes, and Lewis Baker finished off a counter-attack in stoppage time to seal victory for Stoke.
Click here to read the match report.
Prime Numbers
0 – You have to go back to 1990 to find the last goalless draw between the two sides; an EFL Cup match. In the league, the sides haven’t played out a 0-0 draw since 1962.
8 – This will be the eighth consecutive time the two sides have met a in a midweek match. The last time they met on a Saturday was in January 2020.