Swansea City welcome Southampton to the Liberty Stadium in the Third Round of 2021-22 FA Cup.
Victory would see Swansea reach the Fourth Round for the fourth time in the last five seasons, whilst Southampton can progress from this stage for the fifth time in six seasons with a win.
Team News
Swansea have no fresh injury concerns to report but manager – Russell Martin has confirmed that some unidentified players will be absent due to fitness rebuild, following a Coronavirus outbreak within the squad since 11 December 2021.
Southampton will be without Mohamed Salisu as he serves an one-match ban after his red card in the festive 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at end of 2021.
Alex McCarthy (thigh), Jack Stephens (illness), Nathan Tella and Lyanco Vojnovic (both Coronavirus) are set to return to the starting line-up.
Moussa Djenepo (international duty), Will Smallbone (calf), Valentino Livramento (knee), Kyle Walker Peters, Thierry Small and Che Adams (Coronavirus) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- This is the very first meeting in all cup competitions between Swansea and Southampton.
- Swansea have won just one of their last six meetings against Southampton in all competitions (W1, D1, L4).
- Southampton are unbeaten in five of their last six trips to Swansea across all competitions (W4, D1, L1), with all four wins in that period coming as 1-0 results.
- Swansea have won three of their last five home matches in the FA Cup (W3, L2).
- Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints have avoided defeat in four of their last five matches against lower league opposition (W3, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having had nearly a month off, Swansea will be fresh but there will be a slight concern of rustiness in the opening stages, so defending will be key early on whilst settling into the game having gone into their enforced break following three consecutive defeats.
Southampton meanwhile have had a week-and-a-half of preparation following postponement of their league game against Newcastle, so will come here buoyed after two strong displays over Xmas and with a great recent head-to-head record against Swansea.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Saints have also visited Wales already this season as they thrashed Newport 8-0 in the Carabao Cup, which will give them extra confidence but Swansea should make a decent fight of this yet I can see just one winner coming.
Prediction: Swansea 1-2 Southampton
Result: Swansea 2-3 (AET) Southampton