Rob Davies
Swansea City take on Hull City in the early Saturday kick-off for Sky Sports coverage hoping to prise themselves out of the relegation zone after another late collapse against Sheffield United in midweek.
The Swans may have Michael Obafemi back amongst the substitutes after Russell Martin said yesterday that he would make the decision whether to recall the striker, who has been sidelined since the end of the transfer window.
Other than that, the Swans are still missing Joel Latibeaudiere and Liam Cullen but largely have a full squad to select from with the likes of Harry Darling also pushing for a return after being benched in recent times.
Hull enjoyed a strong start to the campaign which saw them leap to the top of the league but conceding goals has been a serious problem for the Tigers of late letting in 15 in the last 5 fixtures.
Shota Arvaladze has come under some pressure of late after a run of one win in six and another loss today would surely move him closer to an exit from the club after assembling such an expensive squad this summer.
Russell Martin’s team would go above Hull with a win and would rise to 13th before the rest of the Championship fixture list kicks off at 3pm.
Team News
Martin yesterday stated there could be changes to his team for today’s clash after the disappointment of yet another late goal conceded to lose to the Blades.
That could see the likes of Luke Cundle, Armstrong Oko-Flex and Darling come into the team. It could also see Jamie Paterson and Olivier Ntcham start although the less said about the impact those two made Tuesday the better.
One certainty is that Joel Piroe will start up front and having talked up Oli Cooper’s chances of a Wales call up yesterday, he is likely to start just behind. Matt Grimes and Joe Allen should sit and one would expect Jay Fulton to drop out from the wide right role – that Piroe played so often – in place of a more attacking player.
In defence, Kyle Naughton may be rested after his error allowed Rhian Brewster to set up Reda Khadra and perhaps we may see Fin Stevens start from the beginning after getting the nod from the bench midweek. Harry Darling would be the beneficiary should Naughton step out. Ryan Manning is sure to start on the left along with Steven Benda in goal.
Martin certainly has options, something that wasn’t true several weeks ago. It’s how he will use them is the question and whether today will be a defining moment in his Swans career. We seem to have those every couple of weeks lately.
As for Hull changes are expected after yet another heavy defeat in midweek although Benjamin Tetteh requires surgery so misses out as does Brandon Fleming, Allahyar Sayyadmanesh, Adama Traore and Vaughn Covil.
Summer recruit and suggested Swansea target Dimitrios Pelkos should start after impressing as a substitute in recent games in what is an expensively assembled squad.
Jean Michael Seri is one of those expensive additions after joining from Fulham in a Tigers team that is a much different proposition to that of a year ago. Star striker Oscar Estupinan is another that will need to be watched after scoring seven in nine starts since arriving.
Predicted line-up
Swansea (3-4-3)
Benda
Wood – Cabango – Darling
Stevens – Allen – Grimes – Manning
Cundle – Piroe – Cooper
The Managers
Russell Martin: “They’ll [Hull] want to react after their disappointment in midweek. We’ll want to react as well.
“I think it’s a brilliant game for us, not because it’s Hull and their form, but because it’s on Sky, it’s an early kick-off and it’s the last one before the international break. I’ve loved the feeling of the players and the supporters in the stadium in the last few games, it’s been really good.
“They (fans) can see the players giving absolutely everything. We just have to be brave, if we do, and the energy is the same from the players and supporters as it has been in the last few games, it’s a really exciting game for us.”
Shota Arveladze: “They play good football, they want to hold the ball and they like having men all over the park, especially in the middle of the pitch.
“They risk a lot, you can see that. I don’t think they deserved to lose in the last few minutes (against Sheffield United). It’s a very tough opponent. I know what they’re going to do to be honest, but I’m waiting for my boys to show more braveness.”
Prediction:
Swansea City 2-1 Hull City
