Swansea City host promotion-chasing Southampton at Swansea.com Stadium in a Championship clash.
Victory could see Swansea climb to 14th if they win by four or more goals, whilst Russell Martin’s Saints look to go second with a win.
Team News
Harrison Ashby could return for Swansea following his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Ben Cabango, Liam Walsh (both ankle), Josh Key, Sam Parker (both hamstring), Josh Ginnelly (Achilles) and Azeem Abdulai (unspecified) remain absent.
Southampton manager, Russell Martin could hand new signing, Joe Rothwell his debut for the Saints.
Joe Aribo (international duty), James Bree (hamstring), Juan Larios (unspecified), Ross Stewart (muscle), Samuel Edozie (ankle) and Kamaldeen Sulemana (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Swansea host Southampton at 12:30pm GMT on Saturday 20 January at Swansea.com Stadium, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Swansea have won one of their last five league meetings against Southampton (W1, D1, L5).
- Southmpton are unbeaten in five of their last six visits to Swansea (W4, D1, L1).
- Russell Martin’s Saints have won four of their last five trips to Swansea by a 1-0 result, except for a 2-1 loss in January 2017.
- No Swansea players have been involved in more goals this season than Jamie Paterson (4 goals + 4 assists) and Jamal Lowe (6 goals + 2 assists).
- Southmpton’s Adam Armstrong has contributed two goals and two assists in his last two appearances.
Prediction
Currently sat on the outer-edges of the race for the play-off spots and unbeaten in five of their last six matches in all competitions, Swansea know that this is a must-win if want to keep pace with their rivals especially given that they have avoided defeat in six of their last seven at home.
Southampton meanwhile are 20-match unbeaten across all competitions and despite thrashing Sheffield Wednesday at home last weekend, the Saints have won one of their last five on the road (W1, D4) so some defensive improvement is needed if want a clean sheet here.
Nevertheless Swansea will have a point to prove at home to Southampton and specifically their former boss – Martin, so I do expect this to be a competitive clash and another draw would be a fair outcome although it would be a typical football irony for the Saints’ form to end here.
Prediction: Swansea 1-1 Southampton
Result: Swansea 1-3 Southampton