PREVIEW: Swans v Leicester City

12th February

Swansea City welcome champions Leicester City to the Liberty Stadium on Sunday (4pm) in what is certain to be a crucial fixture for both sides.
The Swans host Claudio Ranieri's side aiming for a return to winning ways following their heartbreaking last-gasp defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
Paul Clement's side thought they had earned a well-deserved point at the Etihad Stadium, only for Gabriel Jesus to snatch a late winner for the Citizens in added time.
Despite that defeat, the Swans will be buoyed by recent performances in the Premier League, which include victories over Liverpool and Southampton, which culminated in Clement being named Barclays Manager of the Month for January.
For Leicester, things aren't looking quite so positive. Last year's champions find themselves level on points with the Swans, and without a league win in five games.
Today's fixture at the Liberty could prove a pivotal point in the season for both sides.



TEAM NEWS
The Swans are boosted by the arrival of Ghana international Jordan Ayew, who is in contention to make his debut this afternoon.
Leon Britton is battling to be fit for today's encounter, while Ki Sung-Yueng has been ruled out for three to four weeks with a knee injury.
Jefferson Montero remains a long-term absentee for the Swans.
Claudio Ranieri, meanwhile, will check on the condition of Leicester record signing Islam Slimani ahead of today's game.
With the possible exception of Slimani, Leicester have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.



WHAT THEY SAID
Swans head coach Paul Clement: "The two teams are level on points and we will not play each other again this season, so that adds an extra spice to the fixture.
"Even though we didn't get anything from our game last week, we go into this game with a lot of confidence and a belief that we are going in the right direction.
"We are at home, which is a clear advantage, so we need to make use of that.
"I think psychologically, if we get the victory and a good performance, that would be a big boost for us, particularly after the difficult result we had at Manchester City."

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri: "This season we scored very few goals. I'm not frustrated because I was waiting for this kind of season.
"Of course I did not expect it to be so hard but it's normal after winning the title.
"I spoke with Riyad (Mahrez) and Jamie (Vardy) and we know why (they have scored less goals), and I can't tell you."



PAST MEETINGS
Leicester City 2-1 Swansea City
Leicester City 4-0 Swansea City
Swansea City 0-3 Leicester City
Leicester City 2-0 Swansea City
Swansea City 2-0 Leicester City

PRE-MATCH STATS
3 - Sigurdsson has scored in his last three Premier League games - the only player to score in four consecutive Premier League matches for Swansea is Danny Graham in October 2011.
22 - Last season, Jamie Vardy (10) and Riyad Mahrez (12) scored a combined 22 goals away from home in the Premier League. This season they have scored three (Vardy on one, Mahrez with two).