If these two teams were going into a clash two or three weeks ago, Swansea would’ve been huge favourites, yet this weekend Everton will be in a better mood.
The Swans are trying to get their mojo back, which earned them four points against Chelsea and Manchester United. On Saturday, Garry Monk’s side will have to put up a great fight, after they lost at Watford, being the first team Hornets have beaten this season. Swansea were unrecognisable and lacked ideas going forward, the aspect they were so strong at in the first four matches. Everton will be a big challenge if the Toffees have a great day as they did last weekend.
Everton won rather easily against Chelsea, which is becoming more and more normal thing this year, and will want to continue their run of good displays. A one-man show from Steven Naismith was not actually showing lack of other players stepping up, as Arouna Kone and Romelu Lukaku could’ve humiliated the reigning champions even more. After a shaky start against Watford, Everton plays stronger and they are well organised team, which could cause problems for Swans. Though, Swansea are on a good run of games at Liberty Stadium this season.
Key Battle – Bafetimbi Gomis vs Romelu Lukaku
Two robust strikers are playing great so far this season. Swansea’s first attacking option scored in the first four matches this season, with only Watford being the team that managed to stop him. He is also Swansea’s top scorer, while Romelu Lukaku had one amazing game. The Belgian was stellar against Southampton, scoring twice in a 3-0 victory and his contribution against Chelsea was highly important even though he didn’t find the net.
Team News
Though his lads had a poor game at Watford, Garry Monk should be very happy to have the whole squad at his disposal for Saturday’s match. The match could be an opportunity for Ki Sung-yueng to enter the starting XI again after the hamstring injury, since losing his place to Jack Cork. Ki was important in Swansea’s win against Manchester United off the bench, changing the shape of the team.
Yet, with the strong squad Monk has, there will hardly be any major changes, though Kyle Naughton’s poor game last weekend could make the manager thinking about trying other solutions. Jefferson Montero should be back in the starting XI after his injury two weeks ago.
Swansea City Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork/Ki, Shelvey; Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero; Gomis
Roberto Martinez has a lot of problems completing his matchday squad. Leighton Baines and Tom Cleverley are out since they both are suffering from ankle injuries and Muhamed Besic has slight hamstring problem since he left the Chelsea match after eight minutes. Steven Pienaar is suffering from the same injury, though he is not coming back into the squad soon. Seamus Coleman suffered a knock but should be in the team against Swansea.
It will be interesting to see how the Toffees will line up this Saturday, with all the injury problems surrounding Martinez. The Everton manager could choose to start with the same eleven as he planned to play against Chelsea.
Everton Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Howard; Coleman, Stones, Galloway, Jagielka; McCarthy, Naismith, Barkley; Barry, Kone; Lukaku
Head-to-head
In the last 14 matches, Everton have been very convincing. Swansea won only once, during last season in a Carling One Cup match, when they have beaten Toffees at Liberty 3-0. Everton have won nine times, though both Premier League matches last term were draws.
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Last meeting
It was a 1-1 draw at Liberty Stadium in the last meeting of the two teams. Aaron Lennon gave Everton lead after 41 minutes, while Jonjo Shelvey equalised from a penalty kick after 69 minutes.
Prediction
Swansea will have to bounce back after a real let-down at Watford. Garry Monk will have to wake up his squad who can play at a great level. Everton had a great match against Chelsea, though it is hard seeing them repeating the display from last Saturday. Swans’ Liberty Stadium will remain unconquered fortress.
Swansea City 2 Everton 1
