Referee: Mike Dean
Assistants: D Bryan, D Cann
Fourth Official: I Williamson
As the Swans welcome in form Spurs to the Liberty on Sunday afternoon, one thing is certain, they will be glad to see the month of September out of the way. It’s been a torrid last few weeks for the Swans having got off to a flying start, they had their wings clipped in no uncertain fashion by Watford, Hull and then Southampton last time out.
For Spurs, well it’s been quite the opposite after having made a slow start to the season, they come to the Liberty oozing with confidence on the back of 3 straight Premier League wins, including the 4-1 walloping of Manchester City last weekend – whilst boasting a decent 1-1 draw at Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The last time the sides met at the Liberty, Spurs were extremely fortunate to take all 3 points when a stray pass from Jazz Richards was pounced upon by Christian Eriksen to grab a cruel 89th minute winner, in a game the Swans deserved at least a share of the spoils. A similar sloppiness tomorrow could once again prove costly.
Given the lacklustre nature of the Swans recent peformances, many fans have been calling for a change in starting personnel, with Leon Britton being singled out as the solution to the on-the-field problems, after impressing when coming on as a sub at Southampton and the man-of-the-match display at Hull.
If he starts, then Leon is sure to help the Swans retain the ball better, something which the team have been guilty of in recent weeks. Jack Cork is the player most likely to make way for Britton and that would be a tough call on a player who has excelled this season to date.
There were some signs of a return to form of former Spurs man Gylfi Sigurdsson last week and his timing couldn’t be better given how important a player he is to the Swans when at his best.
One thing is for sure, whomever starts, the Swans need to get the focus and desire back, otherwise the early season momentum will seem like a distant and insignificant memory.
Spurs are without their in-form £22 million summer signing Son Heung-Min, which is of little consolation really given the strength in depth and threat posed by Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
You only have to think of Christian Eriksen, Nacer Chadli, Erik Lamela, Clinton N’Jie and English starlets Dele Alli and Eric Dier – all of whom have been in great form this season – to realise the potential threat posed to the Swans from all areas of the field.
The only other doubt for the men from North London is Danny Rose due to a hand injury – expect Ben Davies to fill his boots.
There will be plenty of interest from fans of both camps no doubt as Gylfi Sigurdsson, Kyle Naughton and Ben Davies are all likely to feature against their former sides – with Michel Vorm keeping the bench warm.
It would be an understatement to say that the history books aren’t in the Swans favour with only a solitary point taken off the White half of North London in 8 previous Premier League meetings – and that was the rousing 1-1 draw on New Year’s Eve game at the Liberty in 2011, the Swans first season in the Premier League!
We all know however that history counts for nothing in the Premier League these days and with the Swans hungry to return to form and Tottenham likely to be suffering from the well documented impact of the Europa League, a tight should be on the cards with both teams taking a point.
Even the football world’s favourite pundit, Mark Lawrenson is in agreement with SCFC2, saying :
I am going for a draw (1-1), which would keep Tottenham ticking over and halt Swansea’s slide.”
Wise words Mark 🙂
Last meeting at the Liberty Stadium
14 December 2014: Swans 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2
Current League Form (Last 5)
Swans: LDLWD
Tottenham Hotspur: WWWDD
Predicted Swans Starting XI:
Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams (Capt), Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Cork, Montero, Gomis.
SCFC2 Prediction
Swans 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1
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.
Sky Bet have the Swans to win at odds of 8/5 and Spurs to run out winners at 17/10.
You can also get a cheeky 50/1 on Gylfi Sigurdsson scoring 1st and the Swans winning 2-1.
If you’ve not got a Sky Bet account, they are currently offering a FREE £20 when you bet just £5.