Preview | Swansea City v Watford
Swansea City will look to return to winning ways at the earliest opportunity when they host Watford at the Swansea.com Stadium tonight (7.45pm).
The Swans had won four games in a row - and taken 13 points from 15 - prior to suffering a 3-1 defeat against league leaders and promotion favourites Leicester at the weekend.
Despite the loss, there were plenty of positive for head coach Michael Duff to take from Swansea's performance, and he wants his side to continue the high level of their recent displays against the Hornets.
The Hertfordshire club visit SA1 having secured their third win of the season against Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, but they have yet to win on their travels this term.
TEAM NEWS
The Swans will make a late decision on Ben Cabango's fitness with the defender close to a return from a hamstring injury.
Kristian Pedersen was back in action at the weekend, coming off the bench during the second half against Leicester after a groin problem.
Josh Ginnelly, Joe Allen, Azeem Abdulai and Nathan Wood remain on the sidelines for the Swans.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
Michael Duff: “There were lots of positives to take from the weekend.
“The attitude of the players, the way they and the crowd were with each other, and it was a good performance.
“What we can’t do now is assume because we put in a decent performance on Saturday, that we will be alright on Tuesday night.
“We have got to try and build on that, while remembering we did not get anything out of the game.
“We have been beaten, so we need to dust ourselves down and get ready to go again, but I have no doubt the players will do that because of the togetherness they have already shown so far this season.
“It’s about bringing stability in terms of the emotions and looking at where we can improve.
“Results will come if you look after your performances. We were good value for the four wins we had, but we have to keep churning out those performances now.”
Valerien Ismael: "It’s difficult when you don’t have confidence. You don’t want to lose the ball, and if you make one mistake or two mistakes it makes everyone unhappy. I get that, I understand, but I think for us, we’ve got all of the squad available.
"When you saw our bench at the weekend, it gave us the chance to have an impact on the game and to change the game when we needed more quality, and I think that’s exactly what happened.
"I am pleased for the players, the fans and everyone at the club. It’s a difficult period at the minute, but it’s a moment we can change at any time. When you start to win games and get that confidence back, the performance will be much easier."
MEET THE OFFICIALS
Andrew Kitchen will be the man in charge when the Swans host the Hornets and you can find out more about him and his team of officials below.
REMEMBER THE LAST TIME?
Swansea City rounded off 2022 by returning to winning ways as goals from Joel Piroe, Liam Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere completed a league double over Watford on the Hornets last visit to the Swansea.com Stadium.
Cullen’s energy up front was a factor throughout and he fed Piroe for the Dutchman to sweep home the opener.
Cullen then added his third goal in as many games after the break with a sweet first-time finish, before Piroe added his second of the game – taking his tally to eight for the season - with a superb strike from the edge of the area.
Swansea were not done, and they rounded the evening off with Latibeaudiere finishing at the far post after a lovely flowing move involving Piroe and Matt Grimes.
The emphatic victory was no less than the hosts deserved as they snapped an eight-game winless run.
PRIME NUMBERS
3 - The teams have met on 18 occasions this century, and there has tended to be an outright winner with just three of those games ending in draws.
13 - Swansea have found the net in 13 of the 14 fixtures they have played on all competitions this season.
