Swansea City host Southampton tomorrow in a key clash for both - albeit for completely different reasons.

With the Swans looking to escape the threat of relegation and the Saints searching for European football, it's sure to be a well-contested affair at the Liberty Stadium as they battle for the points they need.

Upturns in form

Both teams have recently undergone their own respective resurgences in form, with Southampton's the more prolific as they have won four of their last five - the remaining game being a goalless draw with Arsenal - after losing eight of their 10 games before that.

Ronald Koeman has remarkably relieved the pressure that was on him and now his team are well in with a shout of clinching European football for next season, despite their hopes having looked more than bleak just a few weeks ago.

Swansea, on the other hand, have had their form aided by the arrival of a new manager. Francesco Guidolin watched from the stands as they beat Watford 1-0 a few weeks ago and since he has been in the dugout, he has yet to lose.

Still, back-to-back draws have seen the Swans drop points from losing positions twice coming into this game, and they will be keen to make amends for that - especially in front of their own fans.

Will trends be bucked or followed?

However, as well as boasting the better form coming into the game, Southampton also have a superior head-to-head record with Swansea, having won six of their 13 previous meetings. Swansea have won just four and have lost four of the last five against the Saints.

They did win at St Mary's last season, a strike from Jonjo Shelvey - now at Newcastle United - strike giving them a 1-0 win, but that was their first victory over the side from the South Coast since 2008.

1-0 is a common result in this fixture too, with three of the last four clashes between these two ending in that scoreline. Other recurring trends include late goals - if a goal is scored past the 80th minute on Saturday, it will be for the sixth successive time in this fixture - and, more recently, red cards - with two brandished in the last three meetings.

Referee Jonathan Moss will officiate this game, bringing with him yet another factor that waives in the Saints' favour too as Southampton have a terrific record under his charge. A win tomorrow would be their seventh in 10 games with Moss in the middle, whilst a reverse result would be only the third victory in 10 for Swansea.

Team news

News regarding personnel is positive for the hosts, with Ki Sung-Yueng set to return after missing last weekend's game with Crystal Palace.

The South Korean suffered a blow to the head in the match prior, against West Bromwich Albion, and subsequently missed his side's latest fixture with concussion. However, he is ready and raring to go for the visit of Southampton.

The away side, on the other hand, will be without Victor Wanyama, who has received a five match ban following his third red card of the season last time out. Steven Davis and Matt Targett return from injuries for the game but, whilst he is expected to return to training this month, this fixture comes too soon for striker Jay Rodriguez.

The two will face off at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with kick-off scheduled for 3PM.

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About the author
Ameé Ruszkai
Head of the Sunderland, Swansea City and women football sections at VAVEL UK. Email: [email protected]