Swansea City and Southampton enter Saturday’s clash at the Liberty Stadium in fine form and are both unbeaten in the last month.
The Swans have found their way since Francesco Guidolin was surprisingly appointed as the new manager. The Italian watched his new team beat Watford 1-0 four weeks ago, before he took them to win another five points in the next three matches. The Welsh club has not lost since his appointment and the shape of the Saints will be their biggest test right now.
Southampton finally found their ways in recent weeks. Goalkeeper Fraser Forster has come back between the sticks and Ronald Koeman’s team have yet to concede since his return. The Saints had four wins and a draw in their last five matches, also recording five clean-sheets in the process. Swansea are not exactly a side that scores many goals and the Dutch manager will be happy if his team continues improving in Wales.
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Gylfi Sigurdsson has improved a lot since Guidolin arrived at Swansea, scoring a goal in all three matches that the Italian has lead the team from the touchline. The Icelandic playmaker added goals to his tally, but more importantly has started playing in a more direct manner. He created six chances in total against West Brom and Crystal Palace, giving Swansea more attacking options.
Sadio Mane, on the other hand, has been a little bit quieter in the recent weeks, but his presence in Southampton’s side is still very important. He is contributing with good displays in both directions and is a constant threat. The Senegalese could exploit all of Swansea’s frailties if they continue conceding goals from their mistakes.
Team News
Ki Sung-yueng is back from injury, after earning concussion against West Bromwich Albion. Guidolin will have complete squad at disposal, but it will be interesting how they will lineup. Against Palace, the manager played in a new 4-3-1-2 formation, making a more solid block in front of the defensive line. Ayew thus played in a midfield role, rather than winger, relying more on Paloschi and Sigurdsson.
Swansea have not had any great problems defensively since Guidolin’s arrival, but two goals conceded after set-pieces took four points from them in a survival battle. His team must keep the solidity, especially against Graziano Pelle, as Southampton’s striker is decisively searching for goals.
The biggest problem for Koeman will be replacing Victor Wanyama. The Kenyan earned his third red card of the season and second in 2016. A replacement is needed and Oriol Romeu might be the one entering the starting XI. Romeu came on against West Ham when Wanyama got sent-off and did well to help his teammates keep the 1-0 lead.
Southampton might line-up in a 3-4-3 formation as they did against the Hammers. Swansea play with the strikers in focus since Guidolin took over the team and a spare man in defense could help extend their run of matches without conceding to six.
Head-to-head
The teams have met 13 times before, with Swansea winning four and Southampton six. Yet, the Swans are better at Liberty, winning three and losing two out of six matches played in Wales.
Last meeting
Southampton won comfortably in their first meeting of the season. Virgil can Dijk scored the opener, before Ki’s own goal and Mane’s strike gave a big lead to Saints. Sigurdsson scored a late consolation from the penalty spot.
Prediction
Swansea are sturdier than last time these teams met. Sigurdsson has started scoring and assisting, Ayew has been helpful defensively and Paloschi was very close to score first goal in Swansea jersey on several occasions. On the other hand, Saints are in great form, but winning at Liberty might be a tougher task than many expect.
Swansea City 1 Southampton 1
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