Swansea City welcome Cardiff City to the Liberty Stadium in Saturday’s blockbuster Sky Bet Championship clash.
Depending on results earlier in the day, Swansea could begin the match sat fourth in the standings and needing to win to keep pace with second-placed Watford.
Cardiff meanwhile could climb to eighth if Middlesbrough fail to beat Millwall earlier on Saturday afternoon.
Team News
Swansea have no fresh injury concerns to report after Tuesday’s defeat at Bournemouth.
Marc Guehi (groin), Steven Brenda, Liam Cullen (both ankle), Tivonge Rushesha, Jordan Morris (knee) and Paul Arriola (thigh) remain ruled out.
Cardiff will be without Tom Sang after the youngster suffered a hamstring injury in their midweek goalless draw against Stoke.
Jordi Osei-Tutu (hamstring), Curtis Nelson (calf), Joel Bagan (shoulder), Joe Bennett (knee) and Perry Ng (knock) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Swansea are unbeaten in four of their last five meetings against Cardiff (W3, D1, L1).
- Cardiff have won just one of their last seven league trips to Swansea (W1, D2, L4).
- Each of Swansea’s last three home league goals have come from Andre Ayew, of which two came from the penalty spot.
- Cardiff have failed to keep clean sheets in three of their last five away trips.
- This match is Paul Tierney’s first match refereeing a game involving Swansea and Cardiff this season.
Prediction
After producing a lacklustre midweek display at Bournemouth despite defending well against 17 shots from the Cherries, Swansea will be hoping to bounce back here given their form in this Welsh derby and attacking quality at home.
Cardiff meanwhile will be looking to continue their recent upsurge in form but they need to be sharper than they were in a dull goalless draw against Stoke on Tuesday, otherwise they could be in for a tough evening of defensive work.
I however am expecting to see a good competitive if open game here between two strong Welsh teams, so am punting on a draw here.
Prediction: Swansea 1-1 Cardiff
Result: Swansea 0-1 Cardiff
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