Swansea City have sacked Garry Monk and the team improved drastically against Manchester City, but the arrival of Slaven Bilić’s West Ham is never a good thing, even when the Hammers’ form has dropped.
The Swans may have lost at the Etihad last weekend, but their performance was intriguing. Alan Curtis has taken over the squad until a permanent solution is found and the effects of the change were obvious. Swansea unluckily lost in the dying minutes when Yaya Toure’s shot tricked Lukasz Fabianski after hitting Kelechi Iheanacho’s back and changing the ball’s trajectory. Swansea had a larger work rate than in the last matches of the Monk era, and the ability to press in longer periods of time was much needed. Swansea are hoping of upping their game again, finally putting poor form to an end.
West Ham’s form has dropped in recent weeks. After a seven-match streak of invincibility, the Hammers are without a victory since beating Chelsea. Bilić’s players drew four times and lost easily to Watford and Tottenham. The match at Swansea seems to come at a perfect time, just before the Wales-based club announces who will be its new manager. West Ham have impressed in their last two matches – goalless draws against Manchester United and Stoke City – and in both matches the Londoners were not sitting back and waiting for the final whistle.
Key Battle – Andre Ayew vs Manuel Lanzini
Swansea’s leading man this year, Andre Ayew, will have much impact on the way the home team plays. His tireless running in both directions will only help Curtis’ side if it is to win the ball deep into the opposition’s half.
On the other side, Manuel Lanzini should be fit for Sunday’s clash and his presence could mean a lot, too. The West Ham midfielder has scored four goals, but two of them came in his previous three starts.
Team News
Swansea played in very different manner last week. Curtis started with a 4-3-3 formation without a real striker. Ayew was accompanied by Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Routledge which surprised Manchester City – the Swans were pressing high and their level of energy was close to the one they had in early matches this season.
Jonjo Shelvey and Eder are under slight injury clouds but both of them should be ready. However, it remains unknown how realistic is to expect them in the starting XI, as Curtis already proved he can surprise everyone. Yet Bafetimbi Gomis’ goal against the Citizens will probably be enough for the Frenchman to secure a place in the starting team.
Bilić, on the other hand, has many problems. Five players are sidelined, though Lanzini should be back in the team this weekend. Winston Reid has hamstring problems, Victor Moses is not expected back before late January due to the same injury and Diafra Sakho’s thigh problems will leave him out until early March. Yet, the biggest issue could be Dimitri Payet’s ankle injury, as the lucid French midfielder quickly proved to be the leader of this team.
A 4-1-4-1 formation can be expected once again in the same manner the Hammers gave Manchester United problems. The great record away from home has been a real strength this season, but it is hard to predict if West Ham will shine at the Liberty Stadium without few of their crucial players.
Head-to-Head
The teams have played against each other on 10 occasions, with West Ham being much better in those duels. The Londoners have won six times and Swansea only once, but their win did come at the Liberty.
Last Meeting
It was early January when the teams met at the Liberty. It was a 1-1 draw with West Ham players netting on both occasions. Andy Carroll scored the opening goal, but Mark Noble’s own goal in the second half cancelled it out.
Prediction
Swansea are back on the right path and they will be eager to prove their worth on Sunday. West Ham will be weakened again and their shortage of good results came at the same time as the injuries and will not be able to be a constant threat to Fabianski’s goal.
Swansea City 1 West Ham United 1
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