MX23RW : Tuesday, March 16 17:44:38| >> :600:98097:98097:
Mar 3, 2021 at 8.15pm UK at Bet365 Stadium
StokeStoke City
1-2
SwanseaSwansea City
Powell (6')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Roberts (19'), Ayew (90+5' pen.)
Manning (71')

Preview: Stoke City vs. Swansea City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Stoke City and Swansea City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Promotion contenders Swansea City make the trip to the bet365 Stadium looking to improve on a run of just one win in three Championship fixtures.

Meanwhile, Stoke City head into the game on Wednesday evening on the back of consecutive defeats, form which has left the Potters as outsiders for a playoff spot.


Match preview

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper pictured in February 2021© Reuters

When Swansea impressed to defeat leaders Norwich City in the middle of February, Steve Cooper would have expected the result to act as a springboard for greater success later in the season.

However, toppling the division's pacesetters has only hindered the Welsh outfit, who have produced four below-par performances since that victory at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea have still managed to collect six points from those fixtures, but the 3-1 reverse at home to Bristol City on Saturday highlighted that this side have started to lose their way.

Should they prevail in their two matches in hand, Swansea will move into second position, a reward for their consistency in defence since the start of September.

Nevertheless, seven goals have been conceded in just three games, almost a third of the strikes that they have shipped throughout the campaign.

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured in October 2020© Reuters

As far as Stoke are concerned, Michael O'Neill would have been left relatively impressed with the level of performance produced against Brentford at the weekend.

With the Potters holding an early lead, it took one of the goals of the month from Vitaly Janelt to turn the game on its head, subsequently helping the Bees record a 2-1 win.

Having lost two matches in succession, Stoke are now seven points off the playoffs, putting the Staffordshire outfit under pressure to get a win on the board on Wednesday.

Stoke have claimed seven points from their three most recent home fixtures, keeping clean sheets in each of the games against Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town.

Stoke City Championship form: DLWWLL

Swansea City Championship form: WWWLWL
Swansea City form (all competitions): WLWLWL


Team News

Stoke City's Jacob Brown in action with Nottingham Forest's Ryan Yates in the Championship on December 29, 2020© Reuters

Jacob Brown is expected to keep his place in the Stoke attack after ending a near four-month wait for a goal versus Brentford.

While Stoke should stick with three players in defence, Jack Clarke may be drafted back into the starting lineup.

Cooper is likely to hand a recall to midfielder Jay Fulton, potentially as an alternative to Yan Dhanda.

Kyle Naughton and Korey Smith are also pushing for appearances in the starting lineup, but Ryan Bennett is expected to miss out through injury.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Batth, Souttar, Chester; Smith, Allen, Mikel, Norrington-Davies; Clarke, Brown, Powell

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Naughton, Cabango, Guehi; Roberts, Fulton, Grimes, Bidwell; Hourihane; Ayew, Lowe


SM words green background

We say: Stoke City 1-1 Swansea City

While both of these clubs will view this contest as one which they must not lose, a draw does not benefit either club. Taking everything into consideration, we can only see a low-scoring stalemate in the Potteries with the home side potentially finding a late equaliser.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Under 2.5:data


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Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich36247553262779
2Watford36209748252369
3Swansea CitySwansea35209645252069
4Brentford35199762362666
5Reading361871150381261
6Barnsley36187114539661
7Bournemouth3615111052371556
8Cardiff CityCardiff361591254371754
9Middlesbrough36158134438653
10Millwall36111693533249
11Stoke CityStoke361212124142-148
12Bristol City36153183948-948
13Queens Park RangersQPR351210133540-546
14Blackburn RoversBlackburn36128164941844
15Preston North EndPreston36135183946-744
16Luton TownLuton35128152841-1344
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest361011152935-641
18Huddersfield TownHuddersfield36118174051-1141
19Derby CountyDerby36109172539-1439
20Coventry CityCoventry35911153246-1438
21Birmingham CityBirmingham36811172646-2035
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham3295183543-832
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds3597192545-2028
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe3668222458-3426

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