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Swansea City v Fulham: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this week’s Premier League fixture at the Liberty Stadium

Monday 27 January 2014 19:19 GMT

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup looks on from the touchline (GETTY IMAGES)

It is almost unthinkable that a team who were so successful last season and won so many plaudits, winning the Capital One Cup and finishing ninth in the league, could find themselves on the edge of a relegation battle this season, but that is where Michael Laudrup’s side find themselves. A combination of second-season syndrome for Laudrup and participation in the Europa League are possible culprits for Swansea’s decline, and perhaps, fifteenth place reflects a rather false assessment of what the Dane’s squad is capable of. Nevertheless, Laudrup will be hoping to put an end to his side’s worrying run of form, which has seen them fail to win in eight league matches and win just two of their last sixteen home games, when they meet fellow strugglers Fulham.

Things are not looking much better for Fulham. In fact, they are looking worse. The stats speak for themselves. The Cottagers have averaged just one point per game under Rene Meulensteen, compared to 0.77 under Martin Jol, and have won only three of their last fourteen matches. The writing is on the wall for Fulham; they are very much involved in a relegation scrap. The revival under Meulensteen has failed to take off at any great speed, and while his side continue to leak goals at the rate in which they do, conceding 48 this season with a goal difference of -26, Fulham will struggle to pick up points.

To compile the Fulham manager’s concerns, the fixture comes just two days after Fulham’s FA Cup Fourth Round draw against Sheffield United, and the Dutchman will be less than pleased with having to play again so soon, but will restore a whole host of key players for this game. Swansea, on the other hand, fared much better at the weekend, with two goals from Wilfried Bony against Birmingham seeing them through to the next round, and despite missing Michu, Jonjo Shelvey and Jose Canas for this game, if the Ivorian can keep his rich vein of form going, the Swans will be optimistic they can get all three points against the Cottagers, like they did in the reverse fixture earlier on in the season.

KICK-OFF: Tuesday, 7.45pm

PAST MEETINGS…

Fulham 1 (Parker) Swansea 2 (Hughes o.g, Shelvey), Premier League, November 2013

Swansea 0 Fulham 3 (Kacaniklic, Berbatov, Emanuelson), Premier League, May 2013

Fulham 1 (Ruiz) Swansea 2 (Graham, de Guzman) Premier League, December 2012

Fulham 0 Swansea 3 (Sigurdsson 2, Allen) Premier League, March 2012

Swansea 2 (Sinclair, Graham) Fulham 0, Premier League, December 2011

STATS…

In three consecutive matches between the sides from September 1956 to August 1957 in the old Division Two there were a total of 27 goals scored (Fulham 7-3 Swansea, Swansea 4-5 Fulham, Swansea 4-4 Fulham).

Swansea have benefitted from five own goals so far this season, more than any other side in the Premier League.

Michael Laudrup's side have conceded the opening goal in their Premier League fixtures 14 times this season, only opponents Fulham have conceded more with 15.

Fulham have gone 18 matches without a draw in the league, winning five and losing 13.

The Cottagers have allowed 141 shots on target against them this season, more than any other team in the top flight.

ODDS…

Swansea to win: 1.72

Fulham to win: 5.9

Draw: 3.95

TV: Highlights on BBC1 on Wednesday at 10.35pm

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

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1/20Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Manchester United

Main goal: Champions’ League qualification What they need to secure it: A new midfield and replacement for Patrice Evra. Juan Mata will add creativity and David Moyes is also targeting Yohan Cabaye, Juventus’s Arturo Vidal and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Patrick Herrmann, with a longer-term eye on Ilkay Gündogan of Borussia Dortmund. Enquiries have been made for Luke Shaw of Southampton; Atletico Madrid’s Filipe Luis is another option. How badly do they need to buy: 10/10

Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Cardiff City

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Premier League quality, given how conspicuously they’ve been sliding. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been busy but it feels as if he needs much more than three former Molde players in Mats Moller Daehli, Jo Inge Berget and Magnus Wolff Eikrem. Stoke’s Kenwyne Jones is heading their way, with Cardiff also set to get Wilfried Zaha and Fabio da Silva on loan from Manchester United. How badly do they need to buy: 9/10

Martin Rickett/PA

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

West Ham

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: A forward to back up Andy Carroll – Roma’s Marco Borriello was yesterday signed on loan until the end of the season, along with Milan midfielder Antonio Nocerino. They need more. How badly do they need to buy: 9/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Fulham

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Defensive durability and youthful zest, given an ageing side is leaking goals. Leicester defender Liam Moore, Burnley striker Danny Ings and Porto’s Steven Defour are targets. A £4m bid has gone in for West Ham’s Ravel Morrison. How badly do they need to buy: 8/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Arsenal

Main goal: The title What they need to secure it: A striker. Olivier Giroud needs back-up. Juventus’s Marko Vucinic and Rodrigo of Benfica are possibles, with contact made for Schalke’s Julian Draxler. How badly do they need to buy: 8/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Liverpool

Main goal: Champions’ League qualification What they need to secure it: Luis Suarez to stay fit, and defensive protection to mitigate against any blip. With Lucas Leiva injured, it’s no surprise Liverpool have looked at Milan’s Nigel de Jong and Rubin Kazan’s Yann M’Vila. How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Crystal Palace

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: At least one Premier League-level centre-back, a striker and a midfielder. Tony Pulis has initiated moves for Will Buckley of Brighton and Wolves goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey. How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

Getty Images

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Aston Villa

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Experience at centre-half and midfield, and more goals. Paul Lambert has been frustrated in his pursuit of Wes Hoolahan, but is trailing Porto’s Steven Defour and Kyle Naughton of Tottenham Hotspur. How badly do they need to buy: 7/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

West Brom

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: A striker, after the sale of Shane Long and likely suspension of Nicolas Anelka. The club’s recruitment department are currently surveying options. How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Swansea City

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Greater depth, as they are still in the Europa League. Currently in talks for Bolton’s David Ngog. How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Norwich City

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Goals, although Norwich spent a lot on three forwards in the summer. As such, Chris Hughton has attempted to solve issues further back. He hopes to add Danny Guthrie to on-loan Jonas Gutierrez. How badly do they need to buy: 6/10

Getty Images

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Stoke City

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Mark Hughes has admitted he wants to make a big signing, but looks to have been frustrated with Lee Cattermole. Monaco’s Emmanuel Riviere an option up front. How badly do they need to buy: 5/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Chelsea

Main goal: The title What they need to secure it: Most would say a striker, but Jose Mourinho has insisted the club’s January business is finished with Nemanja Matic and Mohamed Salah. How badly do they need to buy: 5/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Newcastle United

Main goal: Top-half finish What they need to secure it: It depends on the future of Yohan Cabaye. Marseille’s Remy Cabella is a potential replacement while Borussia Monchengladbach’s Luuk De Jong could yet bolster the forward line. How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

AFP

Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Hull City

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Attacking impetus but Steve Bruce has rectified that with Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long. Milan midfielder Sulley Muntari may yet arrive. How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Everton

Main goal: Champions’ League What they need to secure it: With Monaco’s Lacina Traore in on loan and Aiden McGeady joining from Spartak Moscow, Roberto Martinez seems to have sufficiently bolstered his squad. How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Tottenham

Main goal: Champions’ League What they need to secure it: Clear direction. Due to the managerial change, Spurs’ situation is hard to call, but it seems Tim Sherwood will make do with the squad he has, despite reports players will be sold. How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Sunderland

Main goal: Survival What they need to secure it: Cohesion. Gus Poyet has done his main business by bringing in Marcos Alonso and Santiago Vergini on loan. How badly do they need to buy: 4/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Southampton

Main goal: Top half What they need to secure it: Stability. Southampton have had to deal with the departure of Nicola Cortese, but they will temporarily keep both Mauricio Pochettino and the squad together. How badly do they need to buy: 3/10

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Premier League transfer wants and needs: The big buys for this week

Manchester City

Main goal: The title What they need to secure it: The only weakness in personnel at the Etihad Stadium seems to be at centre-half, but the manager Manuel Pellegrini seems otherwise content. How badly do they need to buy: 2/10

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