Preview | Swansea City v Nottingham Forest
Swansea City return to Championship action against Nottingham Forest this afternoon looking to pick up where they left off following an excellent August for Steve Cooper’s side.
Five wins and a draw – culminating with victory at Leeds just before the international break – mean the Swans went into this weekend’s fixture sitting top of the pile.
Not that Cooper – who picked up the Championship Manager of the Month award this week - or his players are getting carried away with 40 games still remaining in the second-tier season.
But they will be confident given they are unbeaten in 14 home games in the league, and they have gone 13 games in all competitions without defeat.
Forest will be testing opponents, though. Sabri Lamouchi has enjoyed a good start to life in charge of the Reds.
They have lost just once – with that defeat coming on the opening day of the season against West Brom – and in the likes of Lewis Grabban and Albert Adomah they have the attacking ability to cause headaches for the Swans.
All things considered, we look set for a fascinating tussle in SA1.
Team news
Defender Joe Rodon is a doubt for Swansea City having picked up a knock while on international duty.
The 21-year-old made his Wales debut in the Euro 2020 qualifying win over Azerbaijan but took a kick during the first half of Monday’s friendly against Belarus.
The remainder of the Swans international contingent have been given a clean bill of health, while Nathan Dyer is back in contention following the hamstring injury he suffered against Preston.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “It’s a challenge for us to keep the momentum going. I spoke to the players at the start of the week about making sure we continue to make every day a productive one, not just matchdays.
“I’m a big believer in getting the preparation right. We are taking it step by step and day by day. It’s all about recovery and preparation for the next game.
“In terms of how we work there’s been no differences. We’re looking forward to it. Forest have had a good start and they’ve picked up some good away results.”
Sabri Lamouchi: “It will be a very tough game, of course. We go to the leaders and the best team until now. They are unbeaten at home, three games and three wins so they are confident.
“With their last result at Leeds, this game is really important for them mentally and to give more confidence.
“They are a different team to Leeds or Fulham but they are a really strong team. They have a good balance between the offensive and defensive parts.”
Remember the last time?
The Swans fought out a low-key 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest the last time the two sides clashed at the Liberty Stadium.
It proved a match of few chances as neither side were able to stamp their authority on the game.
The closest the Swans came to breaking the deadlock was in the second half, with Yan Dhanda denied by Costel Pantilimon.
The Forest keeper later blocked sub Joel Asoro's low drive.
Forest's better opportunities fell to Ben Osborn, who sliced an early attempt wide before seeing two efforts kept out by Erwin Mulder.
Prime numbers
3 – Three of the last six league meetings between Swansea and Forest at the Liberty have ended goalless, including last season’s game in SA1.
5 – Swansea are seeking a fifth-straight league win. The Swans haven’t won five consecutive league matches since December 2007 when they were in League One (six in a row).
