Rob Davies
Swansea travel to Sunderland to take on an in form Black Cats team pushing for the play off places in their first season back in the Championship.
Tony Mowbray has led the team to 8th place after one defeat in seven games – against reinvigorated West Brom – and could theoretically end the day in 4th place.
The Swans have beaten them this season at home thanks to goals from Harry Darling and Ollie Cooper in a 2-1 win but with form a struggle and uncertainty over plenty of players in the transfer window it won’t be easy today.
Our last visit to the Stadium of Light was a great one. I was there as Fernando Llorente and Kyle Naughton both scored to secure Premier League safety in 2017 with the Black Cats already down and out.
One player who definitely won’t feature is Morgan Whittaker, definitely.not brought back to be sold, after a bid was rejected for the forward earlier this week.
Team News
As above, Whittaker will be kept at home as will Michael Obafemi and Jamie Paterson as rumours swirl about moves to Burnley and Coventry City this window.
Nat Ogbeta left on loan for Peterborough yesterday although you can’t say that weakens the side having not really got a look in since arriving a year ago from Shrewsbury. Same can be said for Brandon Cooper who has also depsrted.
Both Armstrong Oko-Flex and Fin Stevens have been recalled to their parent clubs after barely featuring this season.
So that leaves a pretty threadbare squad all in all and you’d expect there to be little in the way of change from what we saw at Bristol City, a first half that Russell Martin described as the team’s best ever.
He also spoke up about his delight at how the three central midfielders – Grimes, Fulton and Allen – are playing together so expect that to be the set up in the middle of the park.
Ben Cabango hobbled off in that FA Cup game at Ashton Gate but Martin wasn’t concerned so expect him to return alongside Harry Darling with Latibeaudiere and Manning on the flanks.
Then front three should be Ollie Cooper, Liam Cullen and Joel Piroe. The only position I didn’t mention was in goal and despite the howlers from Steven Benda he is sure to retain his place between the sticks.
Benda
Latibeaudiere – Darling – Cabango – Manning
Fulton – Grimes – Allen
Piroe – Cullen – Cooper
Views of the Managers
Russell Martin: “There’s very little between us and them in terms of points.
“I really like them as a team, they’re young, vibrant and energetic and have a manager with so much experience at this level.
“They pose a lot of threat, it’s a brilliant place to play. I really enjoyed playing there myself as a player. It’s one we’re really looking forward to and one I think we’re really well prepared for.”
Tony Mowbray: “I’ve been studying this week, they are number one in our 24-team league for ball possession and something like number two for shots on goal.
“They are a very, very good football team and I think we felt it down there in the first half until we got things sorted.
“We played with a centre-forward that day and their centre-half Harry Darling just kept waltzing through the middle of the pitch. Until we got that sorted we were in a lot of trouble because they are a very good team.”
Planet Swans Prediction
Sunderland 2-1 Swansea
