PREVIEW: Burnley v Swans
13th August
The 2016-17 Premier League season kicks off today with the Swans taking on newly-promoted Burnley (3pm).
Francesco Guidolin's side head to Turf Moor hoping to make a winning start to the season, having picked up five victories from six pre-season fixtures.
Summer signings Mike van der Hoorn, Leroy Fer - back with the club following a successful loan spell - and Fernando Llorente all hope to make their debuts for the Swans.
Record signing Borja Baston is not deemed fit enough having only trained with the club on Friday, while Federico Fernandez is hopeful of featuring despite missing last weekend's friendly win over Stade Rennais with a tight groin.
Neil Taylor, who was given an extended break due to his Euro 2016 commitments, won't be involved as he continues to build up his fitness while Ki Sung-Yueng is working towards his return after serving military service in South Korea.
New boys Burnley have two new signings in Nick Pope and Johann Berg Gudmundsson - a team-mate of Gylfi Sigurdsson with Iceland - while Jon Flanagan has moved on loan from Liverpool.
Left-back Stephen Ward is hoping to feature following his Euro 2016 commitments though Ashley Barnes remains sidelined after a long-term injury lay-off.
WHAT THEY SAID
Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "Swansea have got a lot of recognised Premier League players so they certainly know how it works and we're expecting them to be a decent side as they showed at the end of last season.
"To be honest, every side in the Premier League are worthy of being in there and we know we have to perform and be on our game."
Swans Head Coach Francesco Guidolin: "It's important to start well in our first game, but it's important for our opponents as well. We have to be ready because Burnley have just been promoted and they are strong and compact.
"I said to my players - remember last year two promoted teams, Watford and Bournemouth, had good seasons.
"This season we have to be humble and modest. We have to understand our mistakes from last season to do well this season.
"One mistake, for example, was that last season we were first in the table for set-piece goals conceded. This is one thing we have to improve, and there are others."
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
Burnley 0-1 Swansea (February 2015)
Swansea 1-0 Burnley (August 2014)
Burnley 2-1 Swansea (April 2011)
Swansea 1-0 Burnley (August 2010)
Burnley 0-2 Swansea (January 2009)
PRE-MATCH STATS
The Swans have won four of their last five games against Burnley in the league, winning four and drawing the other.
In the last ten seasons, the Swans have started their league campaign with an away game on nine occasions.
The last two encounters between the sides have ended up with 1-0 wins for the Swans.
The Swans have been quick starters in the Premier League, having won five and drawn two of their last seven top-flight matches in August.
Fernando Llorente has scored 47 of his 104 league goals (45 per cent) with his head since 2007-08. Only Cristiano Ronaldo - with 48 per cent - has more in the top five European leagues during that period.
Don't forget you can follow all the action from Turf Moor via Twitter @SwansOfficial, on Facebook and through the official website.
READ MORE . . .
- Guidolin backs Borja to thrive
- Borja: Swans move "most important" career decision
- Borja makes club-record move
- FACTFILE: Borja Baston