Carlos: It will go to the wire

Carlos Carvalhal believes Swansea City are one of 10 clubs chasing Premier League survival – and he expects the race to go down to the wire.

The Swans are currently 17th in the table but have a five-point cushion between themselves and the relegation places.

That gap could be cut when 18th-placed Southampton go to Leicester tonight, however, and Carvalhal believes there is still much ground to be covered as half the clubs in the division try to retain top-flight status.

“I think from West Brom up to Bournemouth, all the teams must be careful and all the teams must try to win some points,” said the Swans manager.

“I believe it will be a fight to stay up until the last minute.

“Some teams have played one more game than us, some teams have played two more games than us. I think all of them, from Bournemouth down, can still be relegated as it stands.

“All the games at this stage are difficult. Some teams might have a game they expect to win and the luck goes against them, then suddenly they have to win a more difficult game and they can be in trouble.

“The good thing for us is that we are ready for these games. We are strong mentally – we have proved that – and we are ready for the five games we have left.”

The Swans face a huge test when they go to Manchester City on Sunday.

After that, there will be just one away fixture remaining this season, at Bournemouth, as well as Liberty meetings with Chelsea, Southampton and Stoke.

Carvalhal acknowledges that his team will face a stern examination at the Etihad Stadium, but insists every remaining fixture is an opportunity.

“We will try our best to achieve points in every game we play,” he added.

“We have picked up a lot of points since I arrived and we will try to keep doing that.

“We have some difficult games left, but so do the other teams. We will keep fighting because we understand it will be a fight to the last minute.”