Swansea v Blackburn Competition - Sky Bet Championship Venue - Swansea.com Stadium Date - 17 February 2024 Kick off - 3:00pm Following their impressive 2-1 away win at the Stadium of Light, next up for Luke Williams’ Swansea squad is a home match against Blackburn Rovers. Last Saturday, Mike Dodds' second spell as Sunderland's interim head coach began with defeat as Brazilian winger Ronald inspired the Swans to victory at the Stadium of Light. A vibrant first-half performance was the key to the Swans’ triumph, with Ronald putting them ahead on the rebound after Liam Cullen's header was saved. Ronald, a January signing from Brazilian club Gremio Anapolis, scored a second goal nine minutes later as he finished expertly after being picked out by Joe Allen. The Swans should have been out of sight by half-time, with Przemyslaw Placheta hitting the post, before Sunderland's second-half improvement was rewarded when Luke O'Nien headed them back into the contest. But there was to be no change in fortunes for Sunderland following the sacking of Michael Beale, with the Black Cats' play-off hopes suffering another blow as they slipped to a third straight Championship defeat. Victory was timely for Luke Williams' side, who were under pressure to deliver having lost five of their previous six league games, though results elsewhere meant that they remain only four points above the bottom three. On Tuesday evening, Anthony Gordon’s goal gave Newcastle the lead against Blackburn but Eddie Howe’s side were pegged back by Sammie Szmodics and his late equaliser. Both teams had chances to win the match in extra time, but Newcastle kept their nerve in the shoot-out to keep their hopes of winning a first FA Cup trophy since 1955 alive. The Swans have played Rovers on 50 previous occasions, winning 17, drawing 8 and losing 25. In the corresponding fixture last season, Blackburn ran out easy 3-0 victors: Turning to Saturday, head coach Luke Williams has a number of players back from injury. Josh Key, Harrison Ashby, Bashir Humphreys, Azeem Abdulai and Jamal Lowe have all been back in training this week, with Williams revealing that at least four of the quintet are in contention for selection against Rovers. "We have got some bodies back," said the Swans boss. "Josh Key is in full training and we are happy with that, although this weekend might be too soon for him. "Harrison is training too and available for the weekend potentially. "Bashir is fine, Azeem Abdulai was not quite ready for Sunderland but is available this weekend, and Jamal Lowe is fit too.” With the teams level on 39 points, this is a game that neither will want to lose as we get near the business end of the season. Whilst I’m hoping that the Swans will beat a Blackburn team that may be tired after 120 minutes against Newcastle on Tuesday night, I’m going for a 1-1 draw
Further to my nil nil prediction, the Labour Party have just provided me with a good lunch and a lot of coffee and as such I’m feeling more positive. 1-1
Head coach Luke Williams names an unchanged starting line-up for Swansea City’s Championship fixture against Blackburn Rovers at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Swans boss keeps faith with the team that started last weekend’s victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. But he is able to welcome back Jamal Lowe, Josh Key and Bashir Humphreys from injury, with the trio all named among the Swansea substitutes. Carl Rushworth continues in goal, with Kyle Naughton, Ben Cabango, Nathan Wood and Josh Tymon making up the Swansea defence. Captain Matt Grimes and Joe Allen are paired together in midfield, with Jamie Paterson operating ahead of them. Ronald and Przemyslaw Placheta occupy the flanks and provide support to striker Liam Cullen. Swansea City: Carl Rushworth, Ben Cabango, Joe Allen, Matt Grimes (captain), Jamie Paterson, Josh Tymon, Przemyslaw Placheta, Liam Cullen, Nathan Wood, Kyle Naughton, Ronald. Substitutes: Andy Fisher, Josh Key, Jay Fulton, Harry Darling, Jerry Yates, Jamal Lowe, Charlie Patino, Ollie Cooper, Bashir Humphreys. Blackburn Rovers: Aynsley Pears, Callum Brittain. Harry Pickering, Dominic Hyam (captain), Sammie Szmodics, Sam Gallagher, Tyrhys Dolan, Scott Wharton, John Buckley, Andy Moran, Kyle McFadzean. Substitutes: Leo Wahlstedt, Connor O'Riordan, Zak Gilsenan, Arnor Sigurdsson, Yasin Ayari, Dilan Markanday, Jake Garrett, Ben Chrisene, Billy Koumetio.
Hope so. I think we look fragile when opposition scores and lose any confidence. Very important to get the first 3 goals.
Thanks Taff. Good to see Joe starting and I expect that Lowe will replace Liam for the last quarter unless Liam is on fire. I wonder what impact Blackburn's cup defeat will have on them. I think we have enough to take all 3 points so it's 2-1 for me.
