Preview | Leicester City v Swansea City
Swansea City make the journey to the East Midlands as they go in search of victory against Leicester City.
After draws against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough over the Easter period, the Swans - who will be backed by over 1,200 travelling Jacks at the King Power Stadium - will be looking to continue that unbeaten sequence against a Foxes side battling to avoid the drop.
The hosts have picked up just two Championship wins since the turn of the year, although both of those have come on home turf.
Team news
Winger Zeidane Inoussa has been sidelined since the final week of January due to a stress fracture to his back, but he has played a full part in training this week ahead of the meeting with the Foxes.
Josh Key, meanwhile, could be in contention to return for the final two games of the season against Norwich City and Charlton Athletic.
The Swans will still be without midfielder, Ethan Galbraith who sustained a calf injury whilst on international duty and will miss the remainder of the season.
Pre-match views
Vitor Matos: “We know they are a team fighting for their position in the division, but this does not mean that our preparation or how we approach the game is any different. It has to be exactly the same.
“We know they are a good side, they play 4-4-2, they have good speed out wide and a striker who likes to press in Patson Daka.
“But it’s for us to go there and try and dominate a team that is fighting, because that has to be our aim.
“I think as a team we have done well to have an emotional stability over these last months, which is important, because there are a lot of different teams and different styles int his league.
“So, when you are building and trying to develop, it’s important that you are focused on yourself and understand the next steps you need to take.
“But with that, you need to be prepared to face teams who are good at winning second balls, good at counter-attack, good at set-pieces, or good at managing the ball.
“So, with that, you need to find consistency in a lot of areas, and that is the line we are getting to and crossing as a team."
Gary Rowett: “That nothing has changed (over Leicester's points deduction) gives great clarity to the group for the last five games.
“I’m pleased it’s done at this stage rather than two or three games down the line when it might have a material impact on what happens. It’s game on as normal.
“We’ve got enough to concentrate on. I don’t think it’s been a distraction. It would have been a nice excuse to say we haven’t won the games because we’ve been distracted by it, but we haven’t. We’ve focused on what we can focus on. Now that really is a 100 per cent focus.
“If you’re a player, you understand the impact that six points has. You’d see where we’d be in the table with the six points added.
“But the group knows this season hasn’t been good enough. That’s the overarching feeling. I don’t think they can take any solace that we’d be sat in 19th with the extra points. I don’t think that would be acceptable either.
“We have to move forward from that. The first 41 games haven’t been how the team, the club and the fans wanted it to be, so our focus has to be on making these last five games a memorable last five games and step up."
Meet the officials
Sam Allison is the man in the middle for Swansea City’s Championship clash with Leicester City on Saturday (3pm).
This will be the ninth time that Allison – a former firefighter – has taken charge of a Swans game, and the second time this season.
Allison will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Mark Stevens, while Declan Bourne is the fourth official.
Remember the last time?
Swansea City suffered a 3-1 defeat to Championship leaders Leicester City on their last visit to the King Power Stadium.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had put the Foxes ahead in just the third minute, firing home after being sent in behind the Swansea defence.
However, the visitors settled after a difficult start, with Jerry Yates, Jamie Paterson and Harry Darling all unable to convert presentable opportunities.
And those misses proved crucial as a Stephy Mavididi penalty and Yunus Akgun’s finish ensured there was no way back, despite Joe Allen netting a late goal following an improved showing from the visitors.
Prime numbers
20 - Swansea’s Zan Vipotnik has scored the most goals in the Championship this season, netting 20. The last Swans player with more in a league season was Joël Piroe in 2021-22 (22).
76 - Swansea are winless in their last 13 away league games against Leicester (D4 L9) since a 3-2 victory in October 1950, nearly 76 years ago.