Preview: Sheffield Wednesday v Swans
Swansea City will look to claim a spot in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 54 years when they take on Sheffield Wednesday today (12.30pm).
The Swans last made it through to the last eight of the competition way back in 1963-64, when they were a Second Division club but upset a host of top-tier sides on their way to the semi-finals.
This afternoon it will be Wednesday trying to get one over on top-flight opponents, as the team who sit 15th in the Championship host opponents who are currently 16th in the Premier League.
It promises to be an emotional day for Carlos Carvalhal, who has made such a dramatic impact at the Liberty Stadium having previously been in charge at Hillsborough.
Carvalhal twice went close to leading the Owls to promotion to the Premier League before leaving the club in December.
Just four days after his Wednesday reign ended, he was unveiled as Swans boss – and his new team have thrived under his guidance.
The Swans travel north in buoyant mood having lost only one of their 11 games since Carvalhal was appointed and are unbeaten in their last nine.
While the Premier League is the obvious priority, Carvalhal would love to extend that record today.
Team news
Wednesday have a host of injury problems, with frontmen Steve Fletcher and Fernando Forestieri definitely out and Gary Hooper doubtful.
Keeper Keiren Westwood and midfielder Barry Bannan are two more senior players who will be absent.
There are also major concerns over defenders Joost van Aken, Sam Hutchinson and Kieran Lee plus wideman Marco Matias.
The Swans will again be without Renato Sanches, Angel Rangel, Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony, while it remains to be seen whether Leon Britton can play some part.
Recent signings Andre Ayew and Andy King must sit out as they are cup-tied.
What they said
Sheffield Wednesday midfielder George Boyd: “This is a great opportunity for us. It doesn’t matter if they are Premier League, we will fancy ourselves against anyone at home. Against the old boss on the TV – it doesn’t get any better.”
Swans defender Mike van der Hoorn: “We want to do well in the cup. We are not that far away from the final stages of the competition now, although we have a big challenge coming up against Sheffield Wednesday.”
Last six meetings
13.3.10 Swans 0 Sheffield Wednesday 0
19.12.09 Sheffield Wednesday 0 Swans 2
21.3.09 Sheffield Wednesday 0 Swans 0
30.8.08 Swans 1 Sheffield Wednesday 1
14.1.84 Sheffield Wednesday 6 Swans 1
27.8.83 Swans 0 Sheffield Wednesday 1
Pre-match stats
1 – The Swans have won only once in 14 visits to Hillsborough stretching back 93 years. The victory was on their most recent trip, in 2009, when Darren Pratley scored twice in a 2-0 triumph.
17 – Sheffield Wednesday have not beaten top-flight opposition in the FA Cup in their last 17 attempts. Their last success was against Sheffield United in the 1993 semi-final.
