Preview | Colchester United U23s v Swansea City U23s

Swansea City Under-23s travel to Essex to face Colchester United U23s in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon (1pm).

Kris O'Leary's side go into this fixture eighth in the table while Colchester sit a spot above on four points, although both sides have games in hand on the majority of sides ahead of them.

Colchester kicked off their campaign with a dominant 4-1 win against Barnsley, but were defeated on the road a week later after conceding two goals against Coventry City. 

The Swans managed to pick up four points in five days last week. A strong showing against Crewe Alexandra U23s saw the side pick up their first three points of the season with a 4-2 victory.

Then, on Friday, O'Leary's side suffered late disappointment as Peterborough snatched a point with a late equaliser at Landore.

Pre-match views

Kris O'Leary: "I expect a very tough game, they have a really good youth system, which they rely on heavily to produce players.

"The boys will be looking to build on the performances from last week [Crewe and Peterborough], and we will go into Tuesday's game well prepared and ready to get a fresh start.

"Over the years we've always had tough encounters with them, it's a long trip but it's always a good game.

"Both teams will try to play and it'll be enjoyable." 

Previous meeting

The shares were spoiled the last time the development sides met in May earlier this year. 

Ali Al-Hamadi’s penalty rescued a point for 10-man Swansea City, who fell behind in the 35th minute when the hosts’ striker latched onto a neat through ball, before beating Jamie Searle from close range.

But the Iraqi-born forward took his tally for the season to eight goals as Kris O’Leary’s side recovered from a difficult start to earn a share of the spoils at the Wallace Binder Stadium.