The Premier League returns this weekend after the international break and for Swansea City, it will be a chance to stay in eight place if they can beat Hull City at the Liberty Stadium.
Swansea are currently in eighth place in the league table but are only a point ahead of Stoke City in tenth. Garry Monk will surely see this game as an opportunity to stay there given the fact that Swansea’s opponents are currently fighting to stay out of the relegation zone. The Swans have had indifferent form, winning three of their last six, and will be hoping to get some consistency going in their performances.
Hull may not be in the relegation zone right now but they are perilously close. They have not won in the league for more than a month and with 18th-placed Burnley just three points, Steve Bruce will be fretting over what the potential consequences of a loss to Swansea this weekend could be. This is a must-win game for Hull.
Team News
Tom Carroll will be unavailable for Swansea this weekend and will be for some time after picking up an ankle injury. However, Leon Britton, Kyle Bartley and Jefferson Montero could all return this weekend if they can pass late fitness tests.
Gaston Ramirez and Mohamed Diame could return for Hull this weekend but will have to prove their fitness before the game. It will be closer to the end of the season however before Nikica Jelavic and Robert Snodgrass can make a return to action for the squad.
Interesting Statistics
- Swansea have not lost consecutive home games since January last year.
- Swansea have averaged just 16 touches in the opposition box this season, only Hull have managed fewer with 15.
- Hull have only managed to win one of their last 14 away matches in the league.
- For your quirky stat of the day, Hull have not won in any of their seven league matches against another “City” this season.
Key Players
Swansea City – Ki Sung-Yeung
Ki has been Swansea’s top performer this season and has made 27 league appearances for the club. He has scored six goals from midfield and according to Squawka.com, he has created 20 chances for his team mates, contributing one assist in the process. Ki has completed 1295 passes in the league, meaning that he has an impressive passing accuracy of 89%. The midfielder has won just over half of his overall duels and when you look at this in detail, he has been successful on 14 of the 21 occasions he has attempted to take on an opponent. Hull will have to find a way of stopping Ki from playing well if they are to take anything from the game on Saturday.
Hull City – Ahmed Elmohamady
Elmohamady has played in every one of Hull’s league games this season. He has only scored two goals but according to Squawka.com, he has created 47 chances for his team mates, although only three of these have resulted in assists. The midfielder has completed 910 passes in the league, meaning he has a passing accuracy of 74%. Elmohamady also contributes in defence, averaging five defensive actions per game. Just under two thirds of these have been clearances however he has also made 54 interceptions this season. And with no defensive errors so far, it is clear to see why he is such an integral part of Steve Bruce’s plans.
Prediction
Swansea have not been very consistent recently but I still fancy them to win this one. Hull’s away form has been woeful and I simply cannot see them taking anything from this game. I think Swansea will win the game 1-0.
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