Preview | Swansea City v Morecambe
Swansea City are in Emirates FA Cup third-round action as they host League Two Morecambe at the Swansea.com Stadium this evening. (5.30pm).
While the two sides were formed more than a century ago, this evening's clash will mark the first meeting between the two clubs.
For the Swans, it will be their first FA Cup match this term while The Shrimps have already beaten League One sides Lincoln City and Wycombe Wanderers.
Both sides will be hoping to book a place in the fourth round of the competition.
TEAM NEWS
It remains to be seen how many changes new head coach Luke Williams will make following his arrival on Friday, and on the back of a hectic festive schedule.
He is without long-term absentee Josh Ginnelly, while Josh Key has also been ruled out with a muscle injury.
The Swans are awaiting news on Liam Walsh after he was withdrawn in the first half against West Bromwich Albion with a calf injury.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Luke Williams: “It’s an incredible thing. It’s going to be quite a moment. I’ve experienced some fantastic moments at this stadium before and to be back is just incredible. It’s an incredible feeling.
“Whoever we play, we want to get off to a positive start. We were competing against each other just last week, but I recognise a good team when we see one, so we will have to play well against Morecambe.”
Ged Brannan: “It’s a free hit but we won’t go there and treat it like that; we’re going to go there and try to win the game.
“We are the underdogs. The pressure is all on them, so we will go there and give it our best shot.
“We don’t know what impact any change of manager might have in terms of who they play, but I guarantee whatever 11 they put out, they will be top-class players.
“However, we’ve got good players as well; it’s 11 versus 11 and we’ll see what happens on the day.”
MEET THE OFFICIALS
Tom Nield will be the man in charge this evening. It will be the second time he has taken charge of a Swans match and his second visit to SA1.
He will be assisted by Richard Wild and Daniel Leach. Ruebyn Ricardo will be the fourth official.
You can learn more about the officiating team here.
FA CUP CLASSICS
With no previous meeting between the two clubs, click here to read about some iconic Swans' FA Cup clashes.
PRIME NUMBERS
0 - Despite both clubs being over 100 years old, this will be the first time the two sides have ever met. Until last season, Morecambe had never been relegated, but didn't earn promotion to the Football League until 2007 - two years after the Swans had gone up to League One.
2 - Liam Cullen scored his second goal in two games on Monday helping the Swans take four points from games against Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion.
5 – Not including penalties, Carl Rushworth has conceded five fewer goals than his predicted xG this season. The stats say the on-loan Brighton keeper's non-penalty xG against is 42, while he has conceded 37 in the league this season. That difference is the best such record in the Championship, and is 1.3 better off than the next-best record in the division.
