Talking Tactics | Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers
After victory on the road last time out, Swansea City return to the Swansea.com Stadium to take on Blackburn Rovers on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Ahead of the welcome of Blackburn, WhoScored.com preview the clash, looking at what to expect from the opposition, the key battle and a key stat.
What to expect from Blackburn
John Eustace’s side travel to SA1 on a run of three consecutive league draws against Preston North End, Cardiff City and Norwich City and will be looking to improve their current league form, which stands at one win in the last 13.
Rovers were edged out of the FA Cup in midweek by Premier League Newcastle United. A 79th-minute Sammie Szmodics goal was enough to take the tie to extra-time but the Championship side were ultimately defeated on penalties.
Away from home Blackburn have struggled so far this season having won just five of their 17 away from Ewood Park, with a 3-0 victory over Stoke in November the last time they were victorious on their travels.
The two sides come into this fixture on the same points tally, and goal difference, with the visitors ahead on goals scored only.
Blackburn have tended to set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation so far this term which has seemingly played into the strengths of Szmodics with the 28 year-old notching 18 goals already this campaign, 38% of Rovers’ total and more than any other player in the league.
When these sides met earlier in the season, a first-half Liam Cullen goal was enough to seal all three points for Swansea back in October.
A Key Battle
WhoScored.com’s statistically-calculated strengths for Blackburn include creating chances, using through balls and initiating counter-attacks. In fact, only Leeds United (11) and Plymouth Argyle (nine) have scored more goals on the counter than Blackburn (seven) this season.
Rovers do also have the league’s most prolific goalscorer in Szmodics. He’s the visitors' highest-rated player this season with a WhoScored.com rating of 6.94.
He has also scored six goals from his three appearances in cup competitions this season and is in a rich vein of form that Swansea will want to halt when these sides clash later today.
With a big job on the hands of the Swans midfield here, Joe Allen is likely to be key.
The experienced 33-year-old started alongside Matt Grimes in the victory over Sunderland and narrowly missed out on the WhoScored.com Player of the Match award with a rating of 7.99 for his efforts.
Not only did Allen provide Ronald with the assist for his second goal, but the Welshman also won 100% of his tackles, made one clearance and completed a total of five interceptions, the most of any player in that fixture.
He will have to be at his best again here, but will be buoyed by his performance last time out.
A Key Stat
Recent results between these two sides imply home advantage could be key, with the Swans winning four of the last six (one draw and one defeat) at the Swansea.com Stadium.
In terms of goals, there could be plenty this afternoon. There have been more than 2.5 goals in all of the last three Swansea matches, and only Rotherham have conceded more goals in the Championship this season than Blackburn’s 60.