SWANSEA CITY v WATFORD Swansea.com Stadium Friday 30th December 2022 Kick Off: 1945 GMT please log in to view this image After an eye-catching run of Championship form across September and October, Swansea City now find themselves deep in a slump, having not managed a victory in eight attempts since. Russell Martin's men did climb as high as fourth spot, but they have since dropped quickly dropped down the division, playing out four draws around a defeat going into the World Cup break. On their return to action, the Swans have been unable to make a much-needed return to winning ways, as they were firstly beaten 1-0 at home to Norwich City before at least snatching a point in dramatic fashion against Coventry City, as they went 3-0 down before Joel Piroe, Jay Fulton and Liam Cullen got on the scoresheet in the final 25 minutes to force a share of the spoils. Hoping to build on that comeback and turn their form around, Martin's men travelled to the Madejski Stadium to take on Reading on Tuesday, and they would again go two goals behind as Andy Carroll and Tom Ince got on the scoresheet for their hosts, and another Cullen goal 20 minutes from time was not enough to spark another revival as the Swans fell to another defeat. Now in their longest winless run since dropping back down to the Championship in 2018 and having dropped to 16th spot with pressure likely growing on Martin, the Welsh outfit will be desperate to make a return to winning ways on Friday but face a particularly tough test at home to one of the league's leading sides. Slaven Bilic had a mixed start to his tenure as Hornets manager after being appointed late in September, but they did go into the World Cup break having won four of their previous six league games and picking up 13 points. Aiming to pick up where they left off and bridge the gap to leaders Burnley and Sheffield United, Watford returned to action with a home contest against Hull City, and they had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw, before bouncing back away at Huddersfield Town as Joao Pedro netted a second-half brace in a 2-0 triumph. Then hoping to close the two-point gap to third-placed Blackburn Rovers and narrow the bigger gap to the top two, Bilic's men most recently welcomed Millwall to Vicarage Road on Monday, and the visitors took a 22nd-minute lead through Andreas Voglsammer, before the Hornets' task was made even tougher as Hassane Kamara was sent off late in the first half. Zian Flemming would net a second for the Lions in the final 10 minutes to seal a 2-0 away victory, and with Watford now 10 points off the automatic promotion spots, they will be desperate to return to winning ways and build a run of results beginning on Friday. With the injury list getting longer by the day, we really need Sarr to find his shooting boots. please log in to view this image Our Officials John Busby has been appointed to take charge of the game in south Wales. please log in to view this image The referee has been in the middle for one Hornets match so far this season, the 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland in September. Nigel Lugg and Mark Pottage are set to be on the line, with Gavin Ward the fourth official.
Question of the day. Do I fork out another £10 for the Hive, or do I rely on my S-I-L to find a stream on the firestick he has brought with him?
I hate to go all depressed WFC forum style ( why do they still go or watch if they hate it that much ?) but you wonder how much BIlic is under pressure ..? Another couple of poor results which ends with him calling out the players again and will the Pozzos act again ? As they always seem to side with the squad in such situations.
Eight first team players not available, so whatever side he puts out is going to be a patched up team. I am sure the Pozzos will realise that this is not the doing of Bilić, and hopefully bring in reinforcements rather than blame him.
Yes you’d think so and certainly Kone/Martins might help but not sure how long term they will be here for .
You have to wonder why there has only been 7 comments here with less that 1 hour and a quarter to go to kick off. never used to be this lack of interest !
I think there is so little to say... sadly......I feel resigned to it........ Mind you at Hudds a couple of weeks back I was buoyant.. Losing toally winnable games and losing top players really does not help... However we ARE in the play-offs
Looks like might be 3-5-2: Bachmann Kabasele Troost-Ekong Cathcart Ngakia Bacuna Asprilla Dele-Bashiru Gaspar Davis Sarr
Ten first team players unavailable: Chowdhury Cleverley Gosling Hause João Pedro Kamara (suspended) Kayembe Louza Manaj Sema Most clubs would struggle to cope with that situation.
