Match Day Thread Birmingham City v Swansea City

Birmingham City v Swansea City

Competition - Sky Bet Championship
Date - 2 April 2021
Kick off - 20:00
Venue - St Andrews

Following their disappointing 0-1 defeat at home in the South Wales derby, next up for Steve Cooper’s Swansea squad is a tricky looking trio to play Lee Bowyer’s Birmingham City.

In the late kick off on Saturday 20 March, Aiden Flint's first goal of the season ensured Cardiff secured a 1-0 win over the Swans at the Liberty Stadium and a first victory in the South Wales derby since 2013.

The Swans headed into the game unbeaten in their previous four league games against Cardiff, but they fell behind inside eight minutes when Flint reacted quickest to Freddie Woodman's save from Marlon Pack's initial effort to head the ball into the roof of the net.

Steve Cooper's side dominated the second period, and came closest to levelling when Connor Roberts' corner was flicked onto the post by Andre Ayew.

But Cardiff held on to deny Swansea the first ever league double in this fixture and with it move up to eighth in the Sky Bet Championship table, four points outside the plays. Swansea remain in third place, six adrift of Watford in second with a game in hand.

Earlier that day, goals from Ken Sema, Nathaniel Chalobah and Andre Gray strengthened Watford's Championship promotion charge as they saw off struggling Birmingham.

Sema netted his second goal in as many games to give the Hornets an early lead before Chalobah powered in a second-half header.

Substitute Gray wrapped up the home side's victory with a late third, just seconds after coming on.

It was Watford's fifth straight win and their ninth in 10 games, although they are still eight points behind leaders Norwich.

Birmingham, who tasted defeat for the first time under new boss Lee Bowyer, remain 21st, three points above the bottom three but worryingly, have played 4 games more than Rotherham who are immediately below the Blues in the table.

The Swans have played Birmingham on 38 previous occasions, winning 10, drawing 10 but losing 18.

In the corresponding fixture last season, the Swans ran out 3-1 winners after having gone behind early on:

Turning to Friday, both teams will be desperate to get the 3 points, albeit for contrasting reasons - the Swans need a win to re-ignite their (waning) automatic promotion hopes, whilst Birmingham need a win to try and put more clear blue water between them and Rotherham.

I’m expecting a tense hard fought match, and a result that will not really please either side 1-1

 

Is Ayew out as I saw you posted a picture of him hobbling off somewhere?

 

Hopefully not!

 

Back to winning ways, Swans win 2-0.

 

1-1

 

Thanks Taff seems like ages since the last game....Birmingham have a new manager but hopefully SC will get his troops to play on the front foot from the off making the home side very nervous and mistake ridden. Two nil Swans

 

Excellent pre match write up as always Taff.

No idea what the score will be,just hoping we win.

 

I've really enjoyed the break from club football this last week or so.
I just hope our performances will be hugely improved on what we've seen the last 2 months. It's been a while since I actually enjoyed one of our performances. As for score - I have no idea, I'm not sure what effect the international break has had on either side.

 

Thanks Taff. Worried about the post international break but going for a 2-1 win

 

0 - 1. Second looks unlikely but it can all change very quickly and hopefully we've had our worst spell now.

 

Nobody has much to say about this match judging by the lack of activity on this post.

 

All waiting until kick off this evening?

 

Quietly confident that someone will win , just hope it’s us

 

Swansea City make two changes to the starting XI for tonight's Championship clash with Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

From the team that started against Cardiff City, Jamal Lowe, who scored on his international debut for Jamaica last week, returns to the attacking line in place of Morgan Whittaker.

The other change sees Korey Smith come back into the fold with Conor Hourihane, who is available after overcoming a nerve problem which saw him withdrawn early against the Bluebirds, on the bench.

Freddie Woodman is between the sticks with Ryan Bennett, Marc Guehi and Kyle Naughton in front of him. Connor Roberts and Jake Bidwell will offer support on the flanks while Smith links up with captain Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton in midfield.

Up front, Lowe partners top scorer Andre Ayew as the Swans look to return to winning ways following two defeats before the international break.

Birmingham City: Neil Etheridge, Maxime Colin, Kristian Pedersen, Marc Roberts, Luks Jutkiewicz, Harlee Dean (capt), Jonathan Leko, Gary Gardner, Ivan Sunjic, Alen Halilovic, Steve Seddon.

Subs: Andres Prieto, George Friend, Scott Hogan, Jeremie Bela, Sam Cosgrove, Riley McGree, Mikel San Jose, Jon Toral, Rakeem Harper.



Swansea City: Freddie Woodman, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Bennett, Marc Guehi, Connor Roberts, Matt Grimes (capt), Jay Fulton, Korey Smith, Jake Bidwell, Jamal Lowe, Andre Ayew.

Subs: Ben Hamer, Ben Cabango, Joel Latibeaudiere, Ryan Manning, Conor Hourihane, Yan Dhanda, Oli Cooper, Wayne Routledge, Morgan Whittaker.

 

Strong side out

 

Arguably our strongest - although personally I’d pick Cabango ahead of Naughton

 

As I alluded to before start on the front foot and we can win this....please

 

Connor Roberts must be knackered. Played all 3 games for Wales?

 

He didn’t play against Mexico and only 75% of the game against the Czechs

 

Must win game tonight. Come on lads, bring them three points home.