Swansea City v Fulham Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Liberty Stadium Date - 29 November 2019 Kick off - 19.45 Following their hard fought and deserved draw away at relegated Huddersfield, next up is another of the relegated teams for Steve Cooper’s Swansea Squad, this time Fulham. Against Huddersfield, the Swans had to settle for a draw after a lively encounter at the John Smith's Stadium. Swansea took the lead against the run of play through Jay Fulton, before Karlan Grant equalised just before half-time. As both sides pressed for a late winner, the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Trevoh Chalobah was sent off for a headbutt. However, on this occasion the Swans could not find a stoppage time winner. They moved up a position to fifth in the Championship (before Wednesday’s evening fixtures), while Huddersfield remained 19th. Whilst the Swans were drawing in Yorkshire, Aleksandar Mitrovic's 13th league goal of the season helped send Fulham third in the Championship as they condemned outclassed Derby to a fourth straight away defeat. Mitrovic, the division's leading scorer, headed home Ivan Cavaleiro's corner just before half-time to add to Bobby Decordova-Reid's early opener and reward Fulham's first-half dominance. Decordova-Reid got in front of the Derby defence to poke home Aboubakar Kamara's inviting cross after just seven minutes to put the Cottagers on the way to a third successive win. Serbia striker Mitrovic should have added to his tally in the second half but headed a good chance over before turning provider late on, setting up Tom Cairney to slot home Fulham's third. The Swans have played Fulham on 65 occasions, winning 24, losing 31 and drawing 10. The sides last met on 28 January 2014 in a PL fixture at the Liberty Stadium that saw the Swans run out 2-0 winners thanks to a Jonjo Shelvey strike and a Dimitar Berbatov own goal. Turning to Friday, with Fulham in a fine run of form, and the Swans struggling at the Liberty, I’m fearful that we could lose 0-2, but am hoping that we can get at least a point. 1-1
Lose at home again and questions must be asked is Cooper the right choice for the managers job.....The fans deserve better and will turn against cooper if he loses again joining those who already want him gone..
Swansea City make three changes for Friday night’s visit of Fulham to the Liberty Stadium. Kyle Naughton, George Byers and Sam Surridge come into Steve Cooper’s starting line-up, in place of Jake Bidwell, Bersant Celina and Borja Baston. For Surridge it is a second league start of the season following his loan move from Bournemouth. Freddie Woodman continues in goal, with Connor Roberts, Mike van der Hoorn, Ben Wilmot and Naughton making up the back four; van der Hoorn having overcome the knock he took at Huddersfield in midweek for his 66th consecutive league start. Captain Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton retain their places in midfield, with Byers coming in at number 10 as Kristoffer Peterson and Andre Ayew again start on the flanks. Surridge, who has five goals to his name this season, leads the line for the hosts, while Tom Carroll comes onto the bench in place of Yan Dhanda. Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Connor Roberts, Mike van der Hoorn, Ben Wilmot, Kyle Naughton; Jay Fulton, Matt Grimes (captain); Andre Ayew, George Byers, Kristoffer Peterson; Sam Surridge. Subs: Kristoffer Nordfeldt, Ben Cabango, Jake Bidwell, Tom Carroll, Barrie McKay, Bersant Celina, Borja Baston. Fulham: Marek Rodak, Denis Odoi, Alfie Mawson, Stefan Johansen, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Tom Cairney (captain), Tim Ream, Ivan Cavaleiro, Joe Bryan, Josh Onomah, Aboubakar Kamara. Subs: Marcus Bettinelli, Kevin McDonald, Neeskens Kabano, Cyrus Christie, Anthony Knockaert, Matt O'Riley, Luca de la Torre.