Preview | Swansea City v Sheffield Wednesday

25th November
First team
Sheffield Wednesday home preview graphic 2020-21

Swansea City have the chance to match a feat last achieved more than 15 years ago when they host Sheffield Wednesday tonight (7.45pm).

Steve Cooper’s Swans have won their last three games in SA1, keeping three clean sheets along the way.

If they can make it four wins and four clean sheets in succession against the Owls, it will mark the first time the Swans have strung together such a sequence in league action since their final four League Two games at their old Vetch Field home in 2005.

With just two defeats from their first dozen Championship fixtures, Cooper’s side are well-placed, although there remains a very long way to go in the promotion hunt.

They will be keen to keep that momentum building, but they face an Owls’ side who are looking to show what they can do under the guidance of new manager Tony Pulis.

The Welshman succeeded former Swansea defender and manager Garry Monk at Hillsborough, with the South Yorkshire club sitting in the bottom three on the back of a 12-point deduction, which was subsequently halved to six.

It makes for a contest where the three points will be of great value if either side can emerge victorious.

Team news

Marc Guehi

Head coach Cooper is hopeful of having Andre Ayew and Marc Guehi available to play some part against Wednesday following their hamstring injuries.

Viktor Gyokeres and Jordon Garrick are absent as they self-isolate following positive Covid-19 tests, while Morgan Gibbs-White (foot) and George Byers (groin) are also sidelined.

Pre-match views

Steve Cooper Rotherham

Steve Cooper: “We know home form will be important, and the amount of clean sheets you can keep.

“We’re not a defensive team. We work a lot on defending but our idea is to be up the other end of the pitch and trying to score. We want to be creative and trying to take risks.

“In this league you need to do both sides of the game really well.

“In terms of home and away form, we’ll treat every game the same. We’ll put a plan out to go and win. We think that’s the right plan. Whether it ends up being a good one, time will tell.”

Tony Pulis: “Sometimes you chase players, and you chase things, and you don’t get them. And then you fill it with people who maybe are not really what the club really needs, what the team really needs or what the squad really needs.

“I’ll be as patient as I possibly can and as diligent as I possibly can.

“I’ll try and get as many points as we can, but I think if we can get the opportunity to bring in maybe one or two players then I think that’s going to be massive for this football club.”

Remember the last time?

Sheffield Wednesday (H) Brewster Gallagher celebration

Swansea City kept themselves in the Championship play-off hunt as an improved second-half showing helped them see off Sheffield Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium back in July.

The Owls enjoyed the better of the opening period, but Steve Cooper’s side responded as Rhian Brewster fired home his seventh goal of the season seven minutes into the second period.

And Andre Ayew sealed the win from the penalty spot, converting his 16th goal of the campaign after Connor Roberts had been brought down in the box, with Atdhe Nuhiu's late header not enough for the visitors.

The result left Swansea four points off the top six with five games remaining in the season.

Prime numbers

Vetch Field

9 – The Swans are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 meetings with the Owls, with the Yorkshire club last winning in SA1 in 1983.

15 – Swansea last won four consecutive home games without conceding a goal 15 years ago in 2005, in the final quartet of fixtures played at the Vetch Field.

Today’s mascots

Sheffield Wednesday Mascots

Tonight we welcome our virtual mascots, Harry Evans and Koby Jones.

Harry is aged 13, from Port Talbot, and has a sister called Chloe. He plays football for Goytre United and his favourite player is Andre Ayew.

Koby is aged 11, from Carmarthen, and has a sister called Lola. He plays in goals for Johnston AFC and Carmarthen Town Academy.  Koby’s favourite players are Andre Ayew and Freddie Woodman.