Swansea v Crystal Palace Preview

Both of these sides could make big steps this weekend as Swansea aim to break into the automatic positions, while Crystal Palace are looking to exit the relegation zone. A draw could even help both achieve their aims; although with much of the season remaining both managers will be desperate to get more than that.

When Paulo Sousa left Swansea during the summer, not many of their supporters had much faith in the board appointing someone who could build on his success. However, despite arriving with a dented reputation, Brendan Rodgers has taken Swansea to another level and should they win this weekend, they’ll have an excellent chance of sneaking into 2nd place. However, Rodgers knows that his side must improve their recent form with the club approaching this game having lost three from their last five league games. They do come into this fixture on the back of a win though, having brushed past Colchester in the Cup with a 4-0 result last weekend.

Their opponents meanwhile have had an awful season and George Burley was made to pay with his job just before the start of the New Year. Palace were thought to have approached many different people for Burley’s successor but in the end they appointed from within, with Dougie Freedman being given the role permanently. It certainly seems a bold move, especially with Palace in such a precarious position and with Freedman having no prior experience. This is his first game in charge on a permanent basis and while he oversaw victory in the Eagles’ last league game as caretaker, he’s certainly going to have a job on his hands to keep them in the division. That victory was their only one in their last six league games and having also lost in the Cup last weekend, confidence at Selhurst Park must be at an all time low.

As for team news, Swansea have a huge piece of news heading into this encounter with Alan Tate back in the reckoning after completing a suspension. That makes up for Garry Monk’s absence, as the former Barnsley defender sits out through a knee injury. Elsewhere, Neil Taylor is another absentee as he struggles with an ankle complaint, while Angel Rangel should be available having recovered from his injury. The visitors on the other hand have two concerns. Darren Ambrose and Alex Marrow are struggling with minor injuries and both will be penciled in for late fitness tests.

Both of these sides are in poor form and both have picked up the vast majority of their points at home. Although Crystal Palace won’t make it easy, we think that the Swans will just have too much and will edge this out with a 2-1 victory.

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