Stoke v Swansea Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Bet365 Date - 12 December 2023 Kick off - 7:45pm Following their hard fought 2-1 away victory at Rotherham, next up for caretaker Alan Sheehan’s Swansea squad is another 6-pointer when they visit Stoke. Last Saturday, the Swans played (and won) their first match since the sacking of head coach Michael Duff as they overcame a spirited effort from 10-man Championship strugglers and fellow managerless club Rotherham United. The Millers had Daniel Ayala sent off in the 17th minute as the centre-back received two yellow cards in quick succession, one for delaying an opposition throw and the second for a foul on Charlie Patino. The Swans took control from that point and, after missing a handful of chances, they led somewhat fortuitously as Jamie Paterson's cross hit a seemingly unsuspecting Patino and the ball trickled into the net. Rotherham equalised in similar fashion in the second half as Sean Morrison's long throw was flicked on by Hakeem Odoffin and the ball bounced in off Sam Nombe. But Swans substitute Jerry Yates finished neatly from a Josh Key cross to restore the visitors' advantage and secure a much-needed victory. As a consequence, Rotherham sank to the bottom of the Championship, eight points adrift of safety, while the Swans climbed to 16th place. Whilst the Swans were winning at Rotherham, Sheffield Wednesday made it back-to-back wins to climb off the bottom of the Championship as substitute Anthony Musaba's injury-time winner stunned Stoke City. The Dutchman kept his head in a one-on-one with teenage Stoke debutant keeper Tommy Simkin to sentence Alex Neil's Potters to a fourth straight defeat. But, in a grim encounter, Stoke only had themselves to blame after missing a second-half penalty when Owls keeper Cameron Dawson kept out Ryan Mmaee's spot-kick. Stoke - who dropped to 20th in the Championship, just two points clear of trouble, having now picked up just two points out of a possible last 18 - sacked Alex Neil earlier today (Sunday). He had led Stoke to 16th last season, a fall from the previous two campaigns, when they had each time finished 14th. But they have struggled this term and currently sit 20th in the table. Despite an expensive 18-man summer overhaul, the Potters have won just six of their 20 league matches. The Swans have played the Potters on 80 previous occasions, winning 25, losing 33 and drawing 22. In the corresponding fixture last season, the teams played out a 1-1 draw: Turning to Tuesday evening, Joshua Smith will be the man in the middle. The Bedfordshire official is taking charge of the Swans for the very first time in what will be just his seventh Championship fixture. Smith began refereeing in the EFL during the 2019-20 season, and was promoted to Championship duties last term. He will be assisted by Mark Russell and Nik Barnard, while Tom Reeves is the fourth official. Whilst the Swans will undoubtedly be on a high following the win at Rotherham, they will be coming up against a Stoke side keen to make amends for Saturday’s loss to The Owls. I think the match will end 1-1
The draw seems the safe bet, very hard to call. Stoke in terrible form but we're not much better. Might depend on who's caretaking for Stoke and whether he/she/they (have to be pc these days ) can rouse them. I do have a sneaking feeling the confidence from Saturday might give us the edge... so I'll make like a tortoise and stick my neck out for a 0 - 1.
I’d feel confident of a 0-0 if I thought we could keep a clean sheet, which yet again we failed to do against a 10 man Rotherham.
Change of referee: David Webb will be the man in the middle for the Swans’ trip to face Stoke. It will be the first time the Lancashire-based official has taken charge of a Swans game this season, having last overseen the victory at Norwich in April 2023. Webb is an experienced official having been appointed to the National List of Referees in 2008. He first took charge of a Swans game in 2011 – a 2-1 defeat to Burnley in the Championship. Saturday’s match will mark the 14th time Webb has blown the whistle on a Swans match, though interestingly he has only visited SA1 three times. In total this season, Webb has handed out 57 yellow cards and one red in 14 games. Webb will be assisted by Rob Smith and Andrew Dallison. Gavin Ward will be the fourth official.
Jerry Yates returns to the Swansea City starting XI in the solitary change for tonight’s Championship fixture at Stoke City. Yates, the matchwinner with a goal from the bench against Rotherham at the weekend, comes in for Yannick Bolasie, who is among the substitutes. The Swans are otherwise unchanged from the win in south Yorkshire with Carl Rushworth continuing in goal. Josh Key, Josh Tymon, Ben Cabango and Harry Darling make up the Swansea defence, with captain Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton paired together in midfield. The trio of Jamal Lowe, Jamie Paterson and Charlie Patino will provide support for Yates in attack. Youngsters Sam Parker and Cameron Congreve are again on the bench for the Swans. Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling, Matt Grimes (captain), Jerry Yates, Jamal Lowe, Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Charlie Patino. Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Yannick Bolasie, Liam Cullen, Kyle Naughton, Liam Walsh, Ollie Cooper, Bashir Humphreys, Sam Parker, Cameron Congreve. Stoke City: Jack Bonham, Lynden Gooch, Ben Pearson, Michael Rose, Wouter Burger, Daniel Johnson, Ki-Jana Hoever, Ryan Mmaee, Luke McNally, Junior Tchamadeu, Josh Laurent (captain). Substitutes: Tommy Simkin, Andre Vidigal, Dwight Gayle, Jordan Thompson, Wesley, Bae Jun-ho, Ciaran Clark, Mehdi Leris, Nathan Lowe.
Bolasie not fully fit still? I thought Lowe looked better playing out left than central on Saturday, so maybe he'll start there?
Decent performance so far: Stoke look a team short of confidence - important we don’t gift them a goal that would lift them.
