Swansea City host Everton at the Liberty Stadium this weekend in the hope of getting their survival bid back on track – we’ve got all the details here ahead of the clash.
Carlos Carvalhal’s side will be glad to be back on home soil after failing to win in their last 3 League games – all on their travels. Everton, like the Swans, have two wins in the last 5 league fixtures.
Home Team News
Renato Sanches’ return to the city after a spell back at his parent club Bayern Munich has been delayed by another week, but there’s good news that Jordan Ayew is available again after serving a 3-match ban and will most certainly return to the starting line-up.
Wilfried Bony and Leroy Fer are long-term injured absentees, while van der Hoorn is a big doubt after a shoulder injury picked up at West Brom. Having replaced him at the Hawthorns, Kyle Bartley is expected to replace him if he doesn’t make it. Carvalhal also confirmed in Thursday’s press conference that Sam Clucas is also doubtful after missing training earlier that day.
Away Team News
Gylfi Sigurdsson is out injured so he won’t have the chance to face his former club. Ashley Williams has fallen out of favour and will most likely watch on from the bench, while Gueye will be a welcome boost to the starting eleven.
Other injuries:
James McCarthy, Maarten Stekelenburg, Mason Holgate, Eliaquim Mangala.
What The Managers Are Saying
Swansea boss, Carlos Carvalhal
We need points, we have to achieve points to stay in the league. The last game we talked about we had one. This is at home, we are stronger at home, our fans support a lot and give more energy to our team so we expect to perform well and fight for the three points. We know Everton have fantastic players and a good manager but we are optimistic, we have trained very well. Players are at a good level, and this is very positive because they are giving 100 per cent and taking responsibility and they are all ready to play. We have a small squad but they are all enthusiastic in training this week.
Everton manager, Sam Allardyce
“We need to be at our best, The players cannot allow themselves to slip from the levels they need to get against a team like Swansea that are fighting relegation. We want to go out and score the first goal because when that happens, everything becomes panicky and nervous when you’re in that position. If you lose the first goal when you’re down at the bottom it’s very difficult to come back from it.”
Everton’s Last Match Line-Up
Everton 0-0 Liverpool
League Positions and Recent Form
| R | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Everton | 33 | 11 | 8 | 14 | 38 | 53 | -15 | 41 | LLWWLD |
| 15 | Swansea | 32 | 8 | 8 | 16 | 26 | 45 | -19 | 32 | WLWDLD |
Swansea Line-Up Prediction
Fabianski,
Naughton, Bartley, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson,
A. Ayew, Ki, Clucas, King
J. Ayew.
Pre-Match Stats
- Swansea City have won their last 4 home League games, we haven’t won five consecutive home League games since 1981
- Tom Carroll has the same amount of assists this season than Gylfi Sigurdsson (3), the former Swansea midfielder is out injured
- Swansea have lost only 1 in the last 7 games against Everton, that one game being this season at Goodison Park.
- Rooney may be dropped to the bench for this one after showing his frustration when he was subbed off against Liverpool, but he’d be worth starting, he’s been involved in 9 goals in his last 8 league games against the Swans.
- Everton have never conceded more than 1 goal in the League at the Liberty Stadium
- It might not be a game full of chances, Everton have had 57 shots on target under Sam Allardyce, only the Swans have fewer in the same period (51).
Last Outing
A crucial goal against @Everton last season. We need another like this on Saturday… 💥 pic.twitter.com/PMo3Q2vSXF
— Swansea City AFC (@SwansOfficial) April 10, 2018
Match Officials
Match Officials: Swansea City vs Everton
Prediction
Allardyce is desperate for a win, but can the Swans go 5 wins on the bounce at home? With Jordan Ayew back and it being the longest winless run of Carvalhal’s Swansea spell so far, we shouldn’t be lacking any enthusiasm and confidence to get the win, considering our home form of late.
Considering some of the stats mentioned above, I can’t see it being a goal or even a shot fest, with the odd goal likely to decide it. A repeat of last season? Yes please! Swansea 1-0 Everton.
Backup Prediction: Swansea 1-1 Everton.
Twitter Poll
What's the result going to be tomorrow then #TwitterJacks ?#Swans to win their 5th home game in a row Vs @Everton!? #SWAEVE
— Vital Swansea (@VitalSwansea) April 13, 2018
