Swansea v West Ham – Team news, match stats, predictions and more

Just over a month ago we beat Swansea at home to go third in the Premier League.

It was a victory made all the more sweeter with Andy Carroll netting twice and the Boleyn Ground atmosphere arguably the best I’ve seen it since we beat Spurs on the final day of last season.

But a lot can happen in a month and, although we always knew deep down there was no chance of maintaining our surprise onslaught on the top four, it kind of feels disappointing that we’ve since slipped down as low as seventh since then.

The festive period wasn’t the best we’ve ever had, but the performances weren’t particularly bad – we just don’t beat Chelsea and Arsenal. Ever.

And after a disappointing home draw with West Brom on New Year’s Day, w’ere becoming more and more desperate for a win to end our run of four league games without victory.

Swansea are a weakened side today, as are we, but they’re suffering injuries to key players like Jefferson Montero and news of top-scorer Wilfried Bony potentially leaving for Man City will have them rocked.

We may be missing top scorer Diafra Sakho and midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, but Alex Song’s decision to retire from international football and subsequently not go to the Africa Cup of Nations will have given the dressing room a huge boost.

I’d argue that Swansea are there for the taking today. The players are going to want to bounce back from that last minute heartbreak in the FA Cup against Everton in Tuesday, and they’ll be well aware that a win would keep us well in the hunt for a top six finish.

Prediction: Three points and back where we belong.

Team News

Swansea City (9th, 29 points)

Wilfried Bony and Ki Sung-Yueng are both on international duty.

Jonjo Shelvey is banned and Jefferson Montero remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

New signings Nelson Oliveira and Matt Grimes could feature.

West Ham United (7th, 32 points)

Diafra Sakho missess out with a back injury, while Cheikhou Kouyate is away with Senegal at the African Cup of Nations.

Alex Song is available for selection after from retiring from international football.

Potential Starting XI

Last 10 Meetings

Match in Numbers 

1 – Swansea have lost just one of their last seven league games at the Liberty Stadium

1 – While West Ham have won just one of their last five league games away from home

4 – West Ham kept just four clean sheets this season – only Leicester and Everton have kept fewer

50 – Andy Carroll could make his 50th Premier League appearance for West Ham

7 – Swansea have conceded just seven goals at home this season – only Chelsea have conceded fewer

16 – But the Swans have dropped 16 points from winning positions so far this season

14 – The Hammers have scored 14 headed goals this season – more than any other Premier League side

76 – Adrian has made 76 saves in the Premier League this season – only QPR’s Robert Green has made more

0 – Swansea remain the only team yet to score from a corner in the Premier League this season

Fan Predictions

https://twitter.com/DanielGMcCarthy/status/553877404507467778

@WestHamWorld gonna be tight so going for 1-1 #COYI

— Anne B (@Simply_AnnieB) January 10, 2015

@WestHamWorld its going to be a tight game. Whoever scores first wins for me. Scrappy 1 nil West Ham win is my guess

— Bradley Fisher (@b_fisher88) January 10, 2015

@WestHamWorld 2-1 to us with Valencia scoring the winner

— ⚒Return of the Mac ⚒ (@WHU_mac) January 10, 2015

@WestHamWorld 2-1 to us!

— Alex Jessep (@AJess) January 10, 2015

Head-to-Head (all competitions)