Preview | Swansea City v Luton Town
Swansea City will return to the Liberty Stadium looking to continue their fine home record when they host Luton Town this afternoon (3pm).
The Swans have lost just one of their seven home games so far, and have taken 10 points from the last 12 available in SA1.
They take on the Hatters on the back of a midweek defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough on Teesside, but with a record of being able to bounce back from setbacks having lost consecutive league games just once during Steve Cooper’s tenure.
They face a Luton side who had been on a four-match winless run, but will travel to South Wales buoyed by an impressive 3-1 win over leaders Norwich on Wednesday night.
Nathan Jones’ side were winners on their last visit to the Liberty Stadium, but the Swans will be determined to ensure there is no repeat.
Team news
Cooper reported no new injury concerns ahead of this Championship contest.
Morgan Gibbs-White and George Byers are the only absentees due to foot and groin injuries respectively.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “We have a professional group here.
“It’s always disappointing to lose a game of football but we’ve moved on already.
“We know we didn’t play as well as we’d have liked but you can’t dwell on it. We’ll be ready, that’s for sure.
“The good thing with this schedule is there is another game coming up quick and we want to get back on the horse and get things right.”
Nathan Jones: “The result in midweek was a great way to respond after we had been nowhere near our level against Cardiff.
“I think the win over Norwich was one of the best performances in my time as Luton manager and we want to take that forward.
“We know we will have to use the squad, we have got the squad we need for a difficult schedule in these crazy times.”
Remember the last time?
Ten-man Swansea City’s bid to force their way into the Championship play-off places suffered a setback with defeat to Luton at the Liberty Stadium back in June.
A second-half header from Hatters’ striker James Collins proved the difference in SA1, settling a hard-fought contest of few clear chances.
The hosts then had winger Garrick sent off late on as the substitute appeared to throw a punch during a scuffle between a group of players.
The Swans had the majority of possession and territory, with Andre Ayew and Ben Cabango being denied from an instinctive volley and a header respectively.
Prime numbers
1 - Swansea City have suffered back-to-back league defeats just once under Steve Cooper.
39 - It has been 39 years since the Swans and the Hatters played out a draw. The last 11 meetings have all had an outright winner, since a 2-2 draw under John Toshack's stewardship in 1981.
Today’s mascots
Today we welcome our virtual mascots, Alfie Saker and Dexter Owen.
Alfie is aged nine, is from the Isle of Wight and has a sister named Elizabeth. Alfie plays football for Brading Town FC and his favourite player is Connor Roberts.
Dexter has just turned seven, comes from Neath and has a sister named Liv. Dexter’s favourite player is also Connor Roberts and he plays football for Ynysygerwn Under-7s. Happy Birthday Dexter, we hope you and Alfie enjoy the game.
