PREVIEW: Crystal Palace v Swans

Swansea City kick off 2017 with a pivotal trip to Crystal Palace on Tuesday evening.

The Swans make the trip to Selhurst Park in desperate need of points following a run of four straight defeats over the course of the festive period.

Defeat to Bournemouth on New Year's Eve left Swansea anchored to the foot of the Premier League table, four points adrift of safety.

Ahead of a daunting run of fixtures, which includes trips to Liverpool and Manchester City, the significance of tonight's fixture in South London could not be overstated.

Victory for the Swans would prove a huge boost, both psychologically and in terms of their position in the table.

A win would move the club within touching distance of tonight's opponents, who currently sit a point above the relegation zone in 17th place.

Palace have received special dispensation to field Ivory Coast international Wilfried Zaha in tonight's game, while Damien Delaney will be available again after suspension.

Christian Benteke, Andros Townsend and Yohan Cabaye were all substituted during the Eagles' trip to Arsenal, but are all expected to retain their place from the off.

Swansea, meanwhile, will check on Wayne Routledge, who missed out on the 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth with an abscess in the mouth.

Jordi Amat will miss the trip to Selhurst Park through suspension.

Crystal Palace manager Sam Allardyce: "Our big game's on Tuesday, there's no doubt about it. We're going to survive by beating teams in the bottom half.

"If we get a victory against one of the top boys that'll be the added bonus to get us safe quicker but our players need to get ready for Swansea."

Swans caretaker boss Alan Curtis: "Confidence seems to drain from us when we go behind. I suppose the explanation for that is that we are bottom of the table, we are not winning games and we are conceding too many goals.

"I still think there should be enough in our squad to get better results, but confidence in sport, especially football, is such a fragile thing."

Swansea City 5-4 Crystal Palace (November 2016)

Swansea City 1-1 Crystal Palace (February 2016)

Crystal Palace 0-0 Swansea City (December 2015)

Crystal Palace 1-0 Swansea City (May 2015)

Swansea City 1-1 Crystal Palace (November 2014)

9 - There were as many goals in the last Premier League fixture between these sides (9) as there had been in the previous six combined.

4 - The Swans have kept four clean sheets their last five away league games against the Eagles, conceding just once in the other match (W3 D1 L1).

5 - The Eagles have lost five of their last six Premier League fixtures at Selhurst Park, winning against Southampton. However, their last three PL wins at home have come against sides beginning with the letter S (Stoke x2 and Southampton).