Preview | Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday
Swansea City face another key encounter in their effort to force their way into the Championship play-off places when they host Sheffield Wednesday at midday.
Steve Cooper’s side entered the weekend four points off the top six following their midweek draw at Millwall - a gap extended to seven by Saturday’s results - and the head coach and his players know it is victories that are going to required if they are to ensure an extension to their 2019-20 campaign.
They face a Sheffield Wednesday side – managed by ex-Swansea defender and manager Garry Monk - who have had a challenging 2020 to date, having themselves been firmly among the play-off contenders for much of the first half of the season.
The Owls have the same record as the Swans since the resumption of the season, claiming one win, one draw and one defeat from their three games; with the defeat coming at the hands of automatic promotion hopefuls West Brom in midweek.
Cooper and his players have spoken of their desire to make amends for the disappointing display last time out at the Liberty against Luton, and will be desperate to pick up three points to keep them in the top-six picture as games quickly run out in this congested schedule.
Thank you to the NHS
This weekend marks the 72nd birthday of the NHS, and once again Swansea City and all Championship clubs will show their gratitude and thanks for the selfless, heroic work done by those on the frontline of the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic.
There will be a minute’s applause ahead of kick-off, while the Swans will continue to sport a thank you message to the NHS on their jerseys, and a specific nod to NHS workers in Wales on their shorts.
Team news
Swansea will be without Joe Rodon and Ben Wilmot after the centre-backs were ruled out for the remaining six games of the season.
Rodon suffered an ankle injury in training before the midweek draw at Millwall, while Wilmot picked up a knee problem at The Den.
Jordon Garrick will also be absent for the Swans as he serves the second game of a three-match suspension for his red card against the Hatters.
Mike van der Hoorn is nearing a return to action, but this game comes too soon for the Dutchman.
Pre-match views
Steve Cooper: “We need to attack the game and the objective is to close the gap.
“Obviously the picture may change with games being played before we do, but it’s about getting three points and closing the gap if possible.
“All the remaining games are massive, but attack is the right word for how we are looking at it.”
Garry Monk: "I was there for 12 years and we had a lot of success there. It was a big part of my life.
“I have got nothing but fond memories. I have got friends for life.
"But whenever I come back up against them, I want to win so I am looking forward to the game.”
Remember the last time?
The Swans made it two wins in a week as they came from behind to beat the Owls 2-1 at the Liberty in December 2018.
Graham Potter’s side were staring at a painful defeat when Marco Matias fired the visitors in front just after the hour mark.
But the hosts dug deep to fight their way back into the contest.
Substitute Bersant Celina equalised within five minutes of coming on as he stroked Connor Roberts’ cutback into the far corner.
And, barely a minute later, Wayne Routledge delivered what proved to be the winner, latching onto Celina’s through ball before slotting home between the legs of Cameron Dawson.
Prime numbers
6 – Since his debut in January, no Swansea City player has scored more goals than Rhian Brewster’s tally of six.
37 – Sheffield Wednesday have not tasted victory in SA1 in 37 years, stretching back to August 1983. They are winless in four trips to Swansea in that time.
