Preview | Swansea City v Cardiff City

Swansea City will be looking to continue their recent good record in the south Wales derby when they host Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium this afternoon (12pm).

Russell Martin’s Swans secured the first-ever league double in the history of the fixture last season, courtesy of a 3-0 home win and a 4-0 away triumph.

Those results have helped them put together a run where they have lost just one of the last seven derby fixtures, scoring 13 goals and conceding just one during that time.

But head coach Martin and his players will know the past counts for nothing on derby day as the two clubs prepare to write the latest chapter in a rivalry dating back over 110 years.

Swansea head into the game on a fine run of Championship form with six wins from their last eight games and 19 points taken from the last 27 on offer.

Cardiff have taken seven points from their last five games, but head into Sunday following reverses against Coventry and Queens Park Rangers.

Team news

Russell Martin hopes to have one of his injury absentees available, but has confirmed Joe Allen will miss out against Cardiff.

Joel Piroe will also be absent as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension for his red card against Burnley.

Ryan Manning and Jamie Paterson are recovering from hamstring and groin problems, while Allen is also sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Pre-match views

Russell Martin: “We have some young guys who will get their first experience of a derby, but we had that last season as well.

“The likes of Flynn [Downes], Joel Latibeaudiere. Ben Cabango had experienced it but not playing in the way we do. They passed that test last season brilliantly.

“It’s up to the players that come in and play in it for the first time to rise to the occasion. I’ve got no doubt that they can.

“This is just another occasion for them to enjoy and be excited about.

“It will be whoever shows the most courage on the day, and overcomes any fear of the occasion or the match, that will win.”

Mark Hudson: "The record in the derby has not been good enough.

"We need to turn up and play for the badge, play for each other and play for the fans.

"It means everything to us, yes. I've played in them and I can translate across what it means to everyone involved."

Remember the last time?

Swansea City claimed the south Wales derby bragging rights with an emphatic victory over Cardiff City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Jamie Paterson struck the opener and provided two assists for Joel Piroe and Jake Bidwell as the Swans were rampant in SA1.

Russell Martin’s side were in complete control as they made full use of their possession and territorial advantage.

Paterson’s goal opened the scoring, with his 25-yard left-footed shot striking both posts before crossing the line.

Piroe then doubled the lead on the hour mark following a superb pass from Paterson, before the latter crossed for Bidwell to hammer home the final nail.

Prime numbers

1 – Swansea’s home and away wins last season marked the first time a league double had been completed in the history of the south Wales derby.

6 – Just six meetings between the sides since the Second World War have ended goalless.

19 – Roger Freestone holds the record for the most south Wales derby appearances with 19. He made his first appearance in the derby in 1989, while on loan from Chelsea, and the last in 2002.