Swansea v Everton KO 16:00 By Alistair Mann BBC Match of the Day commentator BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE Venue: Liberty Stadium Date: Sunday, 22 December TEAM NEWS Swansea are without goalkeeper Michel Vorm, who underwent knee surgery on Thursday, while winger Nathan Dyer is out with an ankle ligament injury. Michu is doubtful with an ankle problem and Angel Rangel is banned but Leon Britton and Chico Flores should return. Everton welcome back midfielder James McCarthy after a one-match ban. Gerard Deulofeu is out for at least six weeks with a hamstring injury, while Leighton Baines could make his comeback against Sunderland on Boxing Day. MATCH PREVIEW When Swansea City made the lengthy trip home from Merseyside in September 1930, they will certainly have taken with them some painful memories of their first ever meeting with Everton - a crushing 5-1 defeat. Back in South Wales a few months later those cruel lessons had clearly not been heeded, as again they conceded five times in succumbing to their new foes. Incredibly, 83 years later, the Swans are still seeking their first ever victory against the Toffees. LAWRO'S PREDICTION Mark Lawrenson Football analyst "Michael Laudrup's priority now will be getting Michu and Wilfried Bony firing on all cylinders going into the busy festive period because we have not seen the best of them yet this season." Read Lawro's full prediction and score In 17 attempts, five draws is the best Swansea have been able to secure, and despite their buoyant form since being promoted, they've yet to register even a single goal in Premier League meetings. Their latest match-up may well be the most challenging so far for them, as Everton will arrive with just one league defeat against them this campaign, a record that only Bayern Munich and Roma can better in Europe's elite leagues. It's a game which will again bring Roberto Martinez back to the club where he first cut his managerial teeth and, though he's been up against them before with Wigan, his presence always seems to stir up the locals. It will only add to the intrigue as Everton continue their quest to keep pace with the top four - particularly so as they follow Sunday's game with two successive home matches. They won't lack confidence either after their last two away days - there will be few sides this season who will travel to the Emirates and Old Trafford and come back with four points in the bank. The Swans have only won two of their last 12 league and cup games and at the start of the weekend sit seven points above the bottom three and seven below the top six. With a fixture list which includes, Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United in the next three weeks, ending their Everton hoodoo would be very timely. MATCH FACTS Head-to-head Swansea have failed to win any of their 17 league and cup games against Everton (D5, L12). The Swans have failed to score in the four previous Premier League meetings between the sides (D1, L3). Roberto Martinez has failed to win his four previous Premier League games against Swansea (D1, L3). Swansea City: Swansea have lost just once in their last six Premier League games (W2, D3). They have failed to win the last six top-flight matches they have played on a Sunday (D3, L3). The Swans have had more possession than their opponents in all eight of their Premier League home games this season, but have won just 10 points from a possible 24 (W2 D4 L2) at the Liberty Stadium. Michu has failed to score in his last seven Premier League appearances - his longest drought since joining Swansea. Everton: Seamus Coleman's goal last weekend means Everton defenders have contributed seven Premier League goals this season - a division high, prior to this weekend. The Toffees have lost just one of their 16 Premier League games this season. In the top five European leagues, only Bayern Munich and AS Roma have better records. They have lost seven points from winning positions this season. Prior to this weekend, only Manchester City (eight) and Sunderland (11) had worse records. They are one of three clubs yet to win a Premier League penalty this season, along with Newcastle and Cardiff.
Likely line-ups: Swansea; -----------------Tremmel------------------- ---------- Chico ------- Ash --------------- Tiendalli ---------------------- Ben Davies --------------------- Canas ---------------- ------------- Shelvey ---------------------- Hernandez ----- Michu -------- Routledge ------------------ Bony -------------------- Subs: Amat, Taylor, Jazz, De Guzman, Pozuelo, Lamah and Vazquez/Donnelly/Zabret
Everton; -------------- Howard ----------------- --------- Jagielka -- Distin ------------ Coleman -------------------- Oviedo ------------------- Barry -------------- ------------- Osman ------------------- Deulofeu ---- Barkley ------Pienaar -------------- Lukaku ----------------- Subs: Robles, Alcaraz, Baines, Heitinga, Stones, Mirallas, Jelavic.
What a surprise the scummer shows up again and on a Swans v Everton match thread that's got **** all to do with him. I've been given the full sp and know the score here, you won't get anywhere from me stealth wummer now swim along now good boy you've got enough to worry about with your farce of a club without wumming here. Leave the adult conversation to the Swans and Everton fans
"The Toffees have lost just one of their 16 Premier League games this season. In the top five European leagues, only Bayern Munich and AS Roma have better records." Wow. For that reason I'd take a draw....but I've got a funny feeling. The Toon were on a great run when they came here and lost 3-0. They then carried on winning games afterwards. Everton are due a blip, and this could be it. Sticking my neck out 2-1 Swans.
The Swans fans on here seem allright to me, only seen 1 Toffeeman who seem'd ok too. Don't want to see a match thread ruined by a stealth wummer or the rest of his scum bum chums
Hoping we can put right what went so wrong against hull and come away with a 2-0 win! This is the longest break between games we've had in a while and we're due a performance while Everton are due a blip.
Bovi, Cardiff fans are welcome on our board, just as we are welcome over there. Back on thread, think we will lose 2-1 but will be very happy with a point.
I think playing a Martinez team suits us better as we will be given more space to play. Our problem is we struggle to unlock a 10 man defence. My prediction 2-1 swans (Bony & Pablo) My preferred line up Tremmel Taylor, Chico, Ash, Davies Canas, Shelvey Pablo, michu, Routledge Bony Can't see michu and Bony starting together because of Michu's injury An interesting idea would be to Tremmel Taylor, Amat, Ash, Davies Chico Shelvey Pablo, michu, Routledge Bony I think playing chico as a CDM (like David luiz) would give us some extra steel in defence against a rampant Everton strike force and allow him to make those forward runs he likes to do safely.
Good shout that Swan_and_only...also feel Chico could do a job at right-back if required, played there often in his season on loan in the Spanish top flight.
Everton has to be favorites due to our injury list and the fact that we have never beaten them home or away. Its going to be a tough day i think and i am not expecting to end our duck against them. we will need to play a lot better than the last game thats for sure, Ill be hoping for a win or even a draw but cant see it the way we are playing...
@VG12 in case you haven't noticed this one clown has shown up on a few threads to have a pop @ me. I've been given the lowdown on this twat and he's a well known wum. Don't expect me to welcome him or his like. I've seen the welcome our fans get on the scum board by the way and I'll treat them the same way our fans are treated. Why would people like john Hughes and Dai jones be welcome here? Can't you see these people for what they are? I don't like any them and I never will but I don't go on their forum to disrupt like they do here and that's the difference
Just a bump for the thread as it's match day. I wonder if Laudrup will try the Bony M combo today? Just been on some Everton forums and by god they're cocky. The vast majority of the posts I've read reckon they'll "smash" us, with only a few sounding a note of caution. Amazing how successs breeds arrogance innit? For that reason alone I hope we turn them over convincingly today. Time for Shelvey to do his thing methinks.
More shots on target is needed when in range instead of trying to walk the ball into the net....also cut out the needless back passing or we will be caught out with a side like everton....here's hoping law of averages plays a part and we win for once..
Very tough game for us(Toffees) today. And despite are sparkling form i would more than happy to take a draw with what i consider one of the toughest away day trips. GL Swans.
