Preview: Swans v Sheffield Wednesday

​​​​​​​Swansea City look to secure back-to-back wins for the third time this season when they face Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium this afternoon (3pm).

The Swans began 2018-19 by winning successive games, against Sheffield United and Preston North End, and there were two home victories in a week – against Blackburn and Reading – in late October.

Now Graham Potter’s men aim to build on last weekend’s thrilling success at Brentford by getting the better of the Owls.

Potter shook his team up at Griffin Park last time out, making six changes to his starting XI following the 2-1 loss at Derby – the Swans’ third reverse in a row.

The reshuffle paid dividends as his side raced into a 3-0 lead, with recalled widemen Wayne Routledge and Nathan Dyer both making an impact.

But any hopes of a cruise to three points went up in smoke as Brentford pulled a goal back and the Swans passed up a number of opportunities to kill off the contest.

In the end, Potter’s men had to hang on to claim a 3-2 win.

It was nervier than it might have been, but the Swans could take heart from the character and determination they showed in securing a timely maximum.

They must roll their sleeves up once more today as they take on a Wednesday side who are in need of points.

Jos Luhukay’s team made a decent start to the season, but a run of one win in the last nine means they will be desperate to leave the Liberty with something.

TEAM NEWS

The Swans have suffered a heavy blow this week after Martin Olsson was ruled out for the season with a ruptured Achilles, meaning the left-back spot is up for grabs.

Daniel James (hamstring) remains out along with Tom Carroll (hip), while there are doubts over Wilfried Bony (calf).

Courtney Baker-Richardson (ankle) is sidelined, but Luciano Narsingh is back in contention.

Wednesday midfielder Barry Bannan is suspended, while Fernando Forestieri is injured.

Defender Joost van Aken, midfielder Kieran Lee and forwards Gary Hooper and Sam Winnall have also been sidelined of late.

PRE-MATCH VIEWS

Graham Potter: “We have to be good and we have to a bit of luck, and if we have both of them, we’ll have a chance to win the game.”

Oli McBurnie: “The boys were buzzing to get a win on the board last weekend. Now we want to see if we can put a little run together.”

Owls boss Jos Luhukay: “We need to go further in the work that we do as a team. We hope every new game that we find the best way. Against Swansea it is a new chance to get the three points.”

REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?

It has been a while since the Swans faced Wednesday in the league, but they met in the FA Cup in the spring.

After a goalless draw at Hillsborough, Carlos Carvalhal’s Swans beat his former club 2-0 in a replay at the Liberty, with Jordan Ayew and Nathan Dyer on target.

The last league game between these clubs was a goalless draw in Landore in March 2010.

Earlier in that season, Darren Pratley’s double gave Paulo Sousa’s team a 2-0 win in South Yorkshire.

PRIME NUMBERS

1 – Mike van der Hoorn is the only remaining Swans player who has started every league game this term after Connor Roberts began on the bench at Brentford.

38 – Sheffield Wednesday have conceded 38 goals in the Championship this season, the worst record in the division.