Seven games unbeaten. No defeat since the opening day. A midweek comeback that rattled a Premier League side. Swansea City arrive in Birmingham with momentum, belief and a sold-out away end behind them. Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at St Andrew’s isn’t just another test. It’s a chance to make a statement.
Alan Sheehan’s side have quietly stitched together one of the Championship’s most resilient runs, blending defensive grit with flashes of attacking flair. The early-season loss to Middlesbrough now feels like a distant misstep, replaced by a growing sense that this squad is capable of something more. Birmingham’s home form is no soft spot either. The Blues are unbeaten in their last 27 league games at St Andrew’s, the longest run in England’s top four tiers.
That makes this fixture a proper yardstick. With a short turnaround from Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup thriller, Sheehan must balance freshness with continuity. Birmingham have had a full week to prepare and remain a tough nut to crack on their own patch. For Swansea, it’s a chance to extend the run, quiet a big crowd and show that belief isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a weapon.
🔥 Forest Felled, Belief Built
If belief needed a boost, Wednesday night delivered it in stoppage-time drama. Swansea’s 3–2 win over Nottingham Forest wasn’t just a cup upset. It was a statement of intent. Two goals down to a Premier League side with 20 minutes to play, Alan Sheehan’s squad didn’t flinch. They surged.
Cameron Burgess, who had looked shaky early on, rose to the occasion with two goals: a glancing header to spark the comeback, then a thumping finish in the 97th minute to seal it. In between, Žan Vipotnik came off the bench to level in the 93rd, converting Liam Cullen’s cross with ice-cold precision. It was the kind of turnaround that doesn’t just lift a crowd. It lifts a dressing room.
Sheehan spoke post-match about character and momentum, and it’s hard to argue. This wasn’t a fluke or a smash-and-grab. Swansea matched Forest for intensity, pressed with purpose and found a way to win when the odds were stacked. Ethan Galbraith was excellent again in midfield, Cullen made an impact off the bench, and Eom Ji-sung’s delivery for the first goal was inch-perfect. Even with key players missing, the squad looked deep, hungry and together.
The win sends Swansea into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup. More importantly, it sends them to Birmingham with wind in their sails. Seven unbeaten in all competitions, now a cup scalp to add to the mix. Confidence isn’t just growing. It’s starting to look like a habit.
🧳 Jack Army on Tour Again
They’ve done it again. Swansea’s away allocation for Saturday’s clash at Birmingham sold out days in advance, with over 2,000 fans making the trip for the 12.30 kick-off. It’s not just numbers. It’s noise, colour and belief. The Jack Army have been a constant presence throughout the unbeaten run, and this weekend they take centre stage on live TV.
St Andrew’s has hosted some big atmospheres, but few visiting fanbases bring the kind of energy Swansea’s travelling support delivers. From the first whistle to the final minute, they’ve backed Alan Sheehan’s side with full voice, and the players have responded. Whether it was celebrating three points at Sheffield Wednesday or the roar that followed Burgess’s winner against Forest, the connection between squad and supporters feels stronger than ever.
With the game moved for broadcast, the early start hasn’t dampened enthusiasm. Coaches, trains and carloads will roll into Birmingham with flags flying and chants ready. For Sheehan and his players, it’s another reminder that this run isn’t just theirs. It belongs to the fans too, and they’ll be right there, behind the goal, pushing for eight unbeaten.
🧠 Selection Puzzle Built on Stability
Swansea head to Birmingham with a starting XI that looks increasingly locked in. Alan Sheehan has leaned into continuity during the club’s seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, and there’s every reason to expect a return to the side that started last weekend’s 2–2 draw with Hull. That result may have stung, with a last-minute equaliser denying all three points, but the overall performance reinforced belief in the current setup.
Ricardo Santos and Jay Fulton remain sidelined, but their absence no longer feels disruptive. Santos is still recovering from an unspecified injury, while Fulton’s hamstring issue has kept him out of the last three matchday squads, and while his experience is missed, the midfield has adapted well in his absence. Marko Stamenic is nearer fitness though and could feature within the squad today although it maybe too early for him to start against the Blues.
In goal, Lawrence Vigouroux is expected to return after being rested midweek, with Ben Cabango also likely to come back in alongside Cameron Burgess at centre-back. Burgess’s two-goal showing against Forest was a reminder of his aerial threat, but Cabango’s composure and recovery pace make him a key figure for this kind of fixture. Josh Tymon should reclaim his spot at left-back after a brief rest, though Ishé Samuels-Smith’s debut was promising and showed he’s ready to contribute when called upon. Josh Key will continue on the right.
The midfield trio of Gonçalo Franco, Ethan Galbraith and Malick Yalcouyé has looked increasingly cohesive, with Galbraith in particular dictating tempo and breaking lines. Franco’s positional discipline and Yalcouyé’s ball-carrying have given Swansea a platform to play, and Sheehan is unlikely to tinker with that balance.
Up front, Žan Vipotnik is expected to lead the line after scoring five goals in his last five appearances. His movement, finishing and confidence make him undroppable at the moment. Ronald is likely to start on the right, with Benji Inoussa expected to return on the left. Eom Ji-sung’s performance against Forest, capped by a pinpoint assist, may earn him a place in the XI, especially with Sheehan valuing his delivery and work rate. If not, he’ll be a strong option from the bench.
The bench itself looks well-stocked. Cullen and Idah offer different profiles up front, while Benson brings pace and creativity out wide. Casey and Samuels-Smith provide defensive cover, Andy Fisher returns as backup keeper, and Melker Widell is expected to be involved again. Add in Widell and you start to see the strength that the recent transfer window gave to this squad — depth, versatility and genuine competition for places.
Ultimately, the expectation is for Swansea to stick with what’s working. The starting group looks strong, battle-tested and confident. Against a Birmingham side desperate to end a three-game goal drought, Sheehan will want his players sharp, organised and ready to strike when the moment comes. With seven unbeaten in all competitions, the belief is real and the continuity speaks volumes.
⚔️ All Eyes on St Andrew’s
Seven unbeaten. A Premier League scalp in the bag. A squad that’s starting to look like it means business. Swansea head to Birmingham with momentum, belief and a point to prove.
The XI looks settled. The bench looks stacked. The away end is sold out. This isn’t just another fixture. It’s a chance to show that this run has teeth. Birmingham haven’t lost at home in 27 league games, but records are there to be broken. And Swansea, right now, look ready to break things.
Kick-off comes early. The cameras are rolling. The Jack Army will be loud. If Sheehan’s side can find the edge they showed against Forest, the composure they showed against Hull and the hunger that’s fuelled this run, they’ll be right in the fight.
This one’s got bite. This one’s got belief. Let’s see if the Swans can make it eight.
🕵️ Did you know?: Birmingham v Swansea
- St Andrew’s stalemates
Four of the last five league meetings between these sides have ended in draws. It’s a fixture that rarely explodes — but often simmers. - Swansea’s scoring drought
The Swans are winless in their last eight games against Birmingham, with Jordan James’ late equaliser last season denying them a long-overdue victory. - Historic highs and lows
Swansea’s biggest win over Birmingham came way back in 1952 — a 4–1 thumping at St Andrew’s. But the Blues returned the favour two seasons later with a 6–0 demolition.
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