MATCH PREVIEW: Oxford v Swans
10th January
Swansea City begin their FA Cup campaign on Sunday when they travel to Oxford United (12pm).
The Swans - currently 17th in the Barclays Premier League - head to the Kassam Stadium to face an Oxford side who are riding high in SkyBet League Two.
The U's are currently third in the table, four points clear of the play-offs, and have lost just once in their last 15 matches in all competitions.
Swansea will be hoping to avoid a cup upset this weekend and are looking to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the third straight campaign.
Oxford - under the guidance of former West Brom and Portsmouth boss Michael Appleton - beat Braintree in the first round before overcoming Forest Green to set up a third round tie against top-flight opposition.
WHAT THEY SAID
Oxford boss Michael Appleton: "We just have to make sure we try and play to our potential. If we don't do that then the reality is we won't have any chance at all. That's a fact.
"But if we play at our best and Swansea are slightly off theirs then they might have a game on their hands.
"Swansea are a top Premier League side and have been for a number of years now so it is going to be very difficult for us."
Swans interim boss Alan Curtis: "The Premier League has to be our main priority. But a cup run is always nice and we want to get back on a run now, so it is important that we start that this weekend.
"We have to have one eye on Wednesday's game so there will be changes. But whatever team we put out it will be a strong side.
"It will be a difficult game but I can think of worse places to go. Oxford play good football and have a nice stadium and we're looking forward to the challenge."
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Swansea 1-0 Oxford - April 2005
Oxford 0-1 Swansea - December 2004
Swansea 0-0 Oxford - January 2004
Oxford 3-0 Swansea - August 2003
Swansea 3-2 Oxford - March 2003
PRE-MATCH STATS
- Oxford have been drawn to face Swansea on one previous occasion, with the U's eliminated on penalties following a replay in 1993
- Oxford last reached the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1999, when they were beaten by Chelsea 4-2 in a replay at Stamford Bridge
- Swansea's 3-1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers in the fourth round last season was the first time in four ties they had lost to a lower-ranked team as a top-flight side
- The Swans haven't kept a clean sheet in their last 10 away games in the FA Cup, last shutting out Portsmouth in 2009.
You can follow all the action from the Kassam Stadium on Twitter @SwansOfficial, on Facebook and through the official website.
