After a run of very difficult fixtures, Swansea City under new manager Bob Bradley host Watford at the Liberty Stadium, as the former US men’s national team coach looks to stabilise the Welsh side. The Swans, who ultimately lost away to Arsenal last weekend, gave their manager plenty of encouragement with their performance throughout the match. Even though they came up short, they will still believe that they can keep themselves up this season.
Current Form
If the form table is anything to go on, Swansea are looking at a difficult season ahead. Having lost six out of their opening eight games this season, they currently find themselves second from bottom with four points.
However, with their previous three games coming against last season’s top eight, the Swans may go out thinking that now is the time to put a good run of results together.
Watford, under manager Walter Mazzarri, are currently enjoying a better spell of late. The Hornets have won three out of their last five games, the latest victory coming in a 1-0 win at Middlesbrough last weekend.
Watford will be out to make things difficult for their hosts and have shown that they are more than capable of doing so, having previously recorded big wins against sides like Manchester United and West Ham this season.
Team News
Swansea welcome Fernando Llorente back into the fold after he’d missed the previous two fixtures with knee and rib injuries respectively. Modou Barrow looks set to keep his place in the starting line-up after recovering from a knock suffered in last weekend’s defeat to Arsenal, but winger Jefferson Montero looks set to miss out again as he remains sidelined with a calf problem.
Watford striker Odion Ighalo could earn a recall to the starting line-up, with forward Isaac Success currently a doubt due to a muscle problem. Miguel Britos is fit to play after leaving last weekend’s match due to injury, but defender Craig Cathcart misses out as he continues to recover from a groin injury.
Statistics
These two sides have only played each other twice in the top flight, with each side winning away at the other’s ground by a one goal margin.
The top scorers for both of these teams are currently tied on four goals each (Leroy Fer and Etienne Capoue).
A loss for the home side means that the for the first time ever, the Swans would be on a run of five consecutive premier league losses.
Watford captain Troy Deeney only needs one more goal to become the fifth player in the club’s history to reach the 100 mark.
Final Thoughts
While it is still relatively early in a long Premier League season, the Swans will be hoping to push on and gain their first win since the opening day of the season.
Watford, who currently sit in mid-table would be satisfied with a point. Swansea, on the other hand, would prefer the win, with the club currently staring down the barrel of a relegation dogfight. With both teams in very different places right now, this could turn out to be a cagey affair.
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