Capital One Cup (League Cup) Round 3 – Hull City v Swans at 19:45 on Tuesday, 22nd September 2015
Referee: James Linington
Assistants: Nicholas Hopton and Jonathan Hunt
Fourth Official: Scott Duncan
The Swans travel to in-form Championship side Hull City for what is a much trickier test of their League Cup credentials than the home tie against York City almost a month ago.
Historically the Swans have never been the best of cup teams but with the current squad that Garry Monk has assembled, the quest for a good run in the Cup (League and/or FA) is perhaps now more achievable than ever. The potential for re-living the League Cup win in 2013 is there, it is up to Monk’s men – whomever takes the field – to take that opportunity.
Last season this was a Premier League fixture and Steve Bruce will no doubt have his eyes firmly focussed on a swift return to the top tier rather than League Cup glory. The early indications for the Tigers are good as they sit in 3rd place in the Champtionship table having suffered only 2 deafeats (both away) thus far this season.
Given Garry Monk’s interview after the match against Everton, expect a number of changes to the starting line-up for the Swans, but not perhaps as many as there were against York. Expect Swedish stopper Kristoffer Nordfeldt, French defender Franck Tabanou, Portugese striker Eder and former England U20 captain Matt Grimes to be given a chance to impress, along with Modou Barrow and Wayne Routeledge. With Gylfi being a shadow of the player he was last season, he may also make a surprise start.
As for Hull, well they are likely welcome back Jake Livermore for the first time since his positive test and ban for cocaine back in May. Steve Bruce has also hinted at ringing the changes, saying that his players were “leggy” in the darw at home on the weekend, but expect David Meyler, Ryan Taylor and Ahmed Elmohamady to be in contention to start.
On paper you’d fancy the Swans to progress and ironically these sides have met previously in the League Cup at the KC Stadium during August 2008. The Swans won 2-1 that day and I’m expecting despite a tough test, I’m predicting the Swans to run out winners by the same margin this time around.
Last result at the KC Stadium
20th December 2014 – Premier League – Hull City 0 Swans 1
Current Form (League & Cup)
Hull City: WWLWD
Swans: DWWLD
Predicted Swans Starting XI:
Nordfeldt, Rangel, Bartley, Amat, Tabanou, Britton (capt), Sigurdsson, Grimes, Barrow, Eder, Routledge
SCFC2 Prediction
Hull City 1 Swans 2
At the Bookies
Those of you who fancy a flutter might want to check out the odds being offered on the game at the moment.
The bookies are backing the Swans to beat their Championship opponents with Paddy Power are giving odds of 11/8 on the Swans to win with Eder at 9/5 and Matt Grimes at 8/1 to score at anytime.