Swansea City face a massive five-game run before the next international break
Since the appointment of Luke Williams on January 5, Swansea City have endured a difficult run of form, winning one of the seven league games they have played.
When Williams was first appointed, optimism among Swansea fans about the fixtures that were ahead of them was limited. Swansea faced Birmingham City, Southampton, and Leicester City in the league in January, clubs that sit 15th, second, and first, respectively, as it stands.
Facing Birmingham away seemed Swansea’s most likely chance of picking up a win, but after a determined performance and goals from Harry Darling and Jamal Lowe, a late equaliser from young Welshman Jordan James left the Swans with their only league point of the month.
Into February, the Swans’ activity in the transfer window landed the club three new wingers, with Williams and sporting director Paul Watson putting an emphasis on adding pace to the side.
Despite these new signings and electric performances from Brazilian winger Ronald, fears for the future have grown throughout February, with the Swans being more frequently mentioned in the relegation conversation, with a hard-fought 1-0 win away at Hull City dampened by losses to Plymouth Argyle, Leeds United and Ipswich Town.
There is, though, reason for Swansea fans to feel more positive for future weeks as their brutal fixture run mellows somewhat, playing no team currently in the top six for the rest of the season.
The South Wales derby against a Cardiff City side also in poor form looms large on the horizon for Williams and Co, the last of five games that precede the international break.
Winning this game would undoubtedly do wonders for Williams and his charges following the 2-0 defeat at Cardiff City Stadium in September. First, however, the Swans must look at all the fixtures directly in front of them.
Sunderland (A)
Position: 10th
Form: LLWDW
The Black Cats’ form has been a mixed bag under new manager Michael Beale, who has won four of his 12 matches in charge at the club. Following the fondly remembered stability of the Tony Mowbray era, vital playmaker Alex Pritchard’s transfer saga saw him force himself out of the club shortly after Beale’s appointment. Beale’s refusal to shake the hand of his own full-back Trai Hume on Saturday at Birmingham only added to the nervy atmosphere brewing at the club.
There is still considerable quality in the ranks at Sunderland, though, with 15-goal winger Jack Clarke posing the main threat. Swansea’s more positive away form means they have a chance to capitalise on Sunderland’s tough situation on Saturday and come away with a result, even though the Stadium of Light remains a difficult place to go.
Score prediction: 1-1
Blackburn Rovers (H)
Position: 17th
Form: DLWLW
Blackburn have found themselves one place above Swansea, despite having the league’s top scorer, Sammie Szmodics. A disappointing run of home results is the main concern for the Swans, but Blackburn’s away form makes for nice reading for Jack Army supporters. Rovers’ last win away from home was on November 25 last year in a 3-0 victory at Stoke City.
Swansea are due a win at home, and Blackburn may just be the day they do it, as a result in SA1 seems to be coming for the Swans.
Score prediction: 3-1
Watford (A)
Position: 11th
Form: WLLLL
Watford ended an extremely poor run of form by beating bottom-of-the-league Rotherham United 1-0 on Saturday, their first win in eight attempts. Somehow, the Hornets still sit in 11th thanks to their solid form earlier in the campaign.
Saturday’s win may be a turning point for Valerian Ismael’s high-pressing side that beat Swansea 1-0 in November’s reverse fixture thanks to a powerful Ken Sema strike. Everything suggests the Swans may struggle away at Vicarage Road, though.
Score prediction: 3-0
Bristol City (A)
Position: 12th
Form: LWWDL
Only four days after travelling to Watford, Swansea can expect a heated encounter away at Bristol City, who are yet again heading for a mid-table finish. A loss to QPR at home on Saturday would have been a huge blow to the Robins’ slender play-off hopes. Their defence has been rock solid, with only Leicester, Leeds and West Brom conceding fewer goals in the league this season.
Unfortunately for the Robins, a lack of goalscoring threat has let them down, with Tommy Conway the club’s top scorer this season with just six league goals in 26 games.
Regardless of Bristol City’s superior league position, the Swans go into the game knowing they have a good record at Ashton Gate, only losing one of the last seven games when they have visited there. A draw would be a sought after and attainable result.
Score prediction: 1-1
Cardiff City (H)
Position: 14th
Form: LLLWL
The big one, and an opportunity for the Swans to go into the international break with their heads held high. Following a New Year’s Day win over QPR, Erol Bulut’s promotion-pushing Bluebirds started to run out of steam, losing six of their last seven games, seeing them slip down the table to 14th.
