Swansea City v Derby County Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Liberty Stadium Date - 8 February 2020 Kick off - 3pm Following their hard fought 1-1 away draw against fellow play-off contenders Preston, next up for Steve Coopers Swansea squad is a home match against rapidly improving Derby County, who now also have an eye on grabbing a play-off place. Against Preston, Scott Sinclair scored against his old club but on-loan Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster replied as play-off hopefuls Preston and Swansea City drew 1-1 at Deepdale. Former Swansea winger Sinclair registered a first goal since he joined Preston from Celtic in January to give Alex Neil's team a first-half lead. But Swansea made it one defeat in six Championship games courtesy of Brewster's second goal in four appearances since he joined on loan for the rest of the season. The draw leaves both sides just outside the play-off places, with Preston seventh and Steve Cooper's Swans a point worse off in eighth. The previous evening, Wayne Rooney curled home a sublime free-kick to score for the second game running as dominant Derby ended Stoke's recent Championship resurgence with an emphatic win. The ex-England captain found the top corner from 20 yards to beat former international team-mate Jack Butland for the Rams' third goal - and his first at Pride Park - midway through the second half. Martyn Waghorn's header and Chris Martin's fierce strike had put Derby in control, with full-back Jayden Bogle's superb 25-yard strike rounding off the rout. The victory lifted Derby to 13th, 6 points behind the Swans and 10 off a play-off place. The Swans have played the Rams on 43 occasions previously, winning 19, drawing 16 and with 8 draws. When the teams met in the reverse fixture at Pride Park in August, the match ended 0-0. Turning to Saturday, I suspect that the The Liberty Stadium crowd will be ‘boosted’ by people wanting to see Rooney in action. For the Swans, having 2 home matches in the space of 4 days gives them a chance to try and close the gap on Bristol City. However, the Swans’ home form has been far from consistent this season, and I’m expecting that inconsistency to continue against Derby. I’m hoping that the Swans will win, but I’ve a feeling that we will lose 1-2. Hope I’m wrong
I will b very positive here and say. that we will find a goal from somewhere winning one nil with another backs to the wall home performance with no wingers and lack of entertainment.
Sorry Matthew SCs negative vibes remind me of Carlos final few games where we were set up not to lose rather than trying to win comfortably.
I totally agree with you , I can't see what he's trying to achive other than don't lose, The 3 loanees were brought in to improve the team but I feel this season is going to just peter out into mid table mediocrity
Swansea City make two changes as they return to the Liberty Stadium to face Derby County. Connor Roberts and Wayne Routledge are the men to come into the side at the expense of Jake Bidwell and Bersant Celina. Bidwell drops to the bench while Celina misses out through injury. Freddie Woodman starts in goal for the Swans, behind a back four of Roberts, Joe Rodon, Marc Guehi and Kyle Naughton. For Guehi, it means a first Liberty Stadium appearance since sealing his loan move from Chelsea. Captain Matt Grimes, George Byers and Conor Gallagher link up again in the middle of the park. Andre Ayew and Routledge occupy the flanks, while Rhian Brewster leads the line. Swansea City: Freddie Woodman; Connor Roberts, Joe Rodon, Marc Guehi, Kyle Naughton; George Byers, Matt Grimes (captain), Conor Gallagher; Andre Ayew, Wayne Routledge; Rhian Brewster. Substitutes: Erwin Mulder, Ben Wilmot, Jake Bidwell, Jay Fulton, Yan Dhanda, Nathan Dyer, Liam Cullen.