Swansea City will be looking to move away from the relegation zone with a win as the Swans hosts Afc Bournemouth at Liberty Stadium on Saturday. Swansea City currently sits at position nineteen in the league standings after losing four consecutive Premier League matches - the latest being the 2-0 defeat at Burnley last weekend.
Bournemouth travels to Wales after handing Huddersfield a comprehensive 4-0 defeat at the weekend in a game that the Cherries won despite remaining ten-men after the sending off of Simon Francis at the break. Eddie Howe's men currently occupy the thirteenth spot in the Premier League log and could climb to the tenth place with a win away from England.
Talking points
- Bournemouth is undefeated in the last four encounters with Swansea City. The Cherries had won three times and drawn just once in those recent meetings.
- Bournemouth has scored a minimum of two goals in seven out of the eight previous meetings with Swansea City. In fact. The Cherries have even managed to score at least two goals on four occasions while in Wales.
- Swansea City has lost all their past seven matches in all competition. If the Swans loses against the Cherries, it will be the first time Swansea City has lost five games in a row in a top-flight league.
- It isn't a coincidence that the Swans are second last in the Premier League tables given that only Crystal Palace who sits in the last position has scored a lower number of goals than Swansea City. The Swans have just scored seven goals after twelve rounds of the league actions.
- Paul Clement's men have been blunt in front of the opponents' goal just managing twenty-three shots on target after playing twelve Premier League matches.
- The Swans have relied on a sole player to score goals for the Welsh club. Tammy Abraham who's serving his loan deal from Chelsea has scored 71 percent of the total number of goals than Swansea has managed in the league this season.
- Bournemouth is currently in an impressive form managing to win all their last three Premier League matches. The Cherries last victory was the 4-0 win over the Terriers in the previous weekend.
- No English player has managed a hat-trick in this term of Premier League campaign. Bournemouth's Callum Wilson bagged three goals last weekend at Vitality Stadium to become the first English player to walk with the ball in his hands at the blow off full-time whistle this season.
Team news
Kyle Bartley is the only player who's set to miss the match due to injury while Swansea City's leading scorer, Tammy Abraham is doubtful and could miss the match due to a back issue.
The rest of the players are available for selection, and Paul Clement will choose the strongest squad to welcome the Cherries in a bid to save his job at the club.
Tyronne Mings, Adam Federici, and Brad Smith are automatic absentees for the trip to Wales due to injuries. Jordan Ibe who pulled out with a knock before half-time could miss the game while Junior Stanislas is facing a late fitness test.
Simon Francis received two bookings in the 4-0 success last Saturday so he will stay out of the match with a ban.
Predictions
Based on head-to-head statistics, Bournemouth has a slight edge over the hosts and Eddie Howe can ride on the confidence boost that they earned after beating Huddersfield Town in the previous week. However, the hosts have fewer injury cases and nearly have the entire squad available for picking.
Paul Clement is under pressure to win lest he becomes the sixth manager to lose his job in Premier League this term. Swansea can stun the Cherries with a home win given that the Swans are playing in the backyard.
Full-time prediction: Swansea City 2-1 AFC Bournemouth
