Preview | Birmingham City v Swansea City
Swansea City go in search of a third consecutive victory when they travel to the Midlands to face Birmingham City at St Andrew's this afternoon (3pm).
Russell Martin's side have claimed back-to-back home wins over Cardiff City and West Brom, and face a Blues outfit that is seeking a first win in eight outings.
The Swans have moved onto 17 points from 13 games thanks to their recent run of results, and could climb into the top half with another victory.
However, Martin's side have won just once on the road in the Championship - at Bristol City - while the Blues have only been victorious only once in six attempts on home soil in the league.
Team news
The Swans are boosted by the return of Ryan Manning, who sat out the midweek win over West Brom through injury.
Michael Obafemi is available for selection after making good progress following ongoing muscle problems, though the Swans will make a late decision on Flynn Downes, who was replaced at half-time in midweek due to a tight hamstring.
The Blues are without wing-back Maxime Colin as he is suffering from an achilles problem. Jordan Graham is expected to fill in for him.
Jeremie Bela is ruled out following an ankle liagement injury while Ivan Sanchez is unlikely to be available despite building his fitness up with appearances for the under-23s following injuries.
Pre-match views
Lee Bowyer: "You have got to have the balance and that is something I have had to sacrifice. This is the way that we stayed in the division last season. It is not as pretty as I would like it to be.
"Something had to change and that is what I have done."
Russell Martin: "They have a lot of experience and it will be very tough for us.
"We have to go there with the same intensity in the last two games. We have to re-energise and find the same level of enthusiasm and aggression.
"We have to impose our own game wherever we go. It will be difficult but we have to step up to that and rise to the challenge."
Remember the last time?
The Swans fell to a third consecutive defeat after sub Scott Hogan scored an injury-time penalty to boost Birmingham City’s survival hopes.
In a game that looked destined for a 0-0 draw, the Blues claimed the points with their second penalty of the night after sub Yan Dhanda slipped and tripped Ivan Sunjic.
Woodman had earlier kept out Lukas Jutkiewicz’s penalty following Connor Roberts’ foul on Jonathan Leko, but he could do nothing about Hogan’s late strike.
Stats
8 - Joel Piroe's strike in midweek took his tally to eight goals in all competitions this season, making him the Swans' top scorer so far.
7 - While the Swans have scored five goals in their last two games, a clean sheet against Cardiff was their seventh shut out of the campaign.
7 - The Blues are without a win in their previous seven outings. Their last victory came against Derby at St Andrew's on September 10.
