Preview | Swansea City v Wrexham
Swansea City and Wrexham lock horns for the first time in 20 years as they meet under the lights at the Swansea.com Stadium this evening (8pm).
The teams last faced each other in Swansea in the final game at our former Vetch Field home in May 2005, and both clubs have been on very different journeys in the intervening period.
The hosts are seeking to record a third home league win in a row, while Wrexham have lost just one of their last 11 games in the Championship.
Team news
Swans boss Vitor Matos has reported no new injury concerns ahead of this fixture.
Wrexham, meanwhile, will be without striker Ryan Hardie after he picked up a knee injury in their draw against Watford.
Pre-match views
Vitor Matos: “We know this is the sort of game that comes with a different emotional charge, and we will need this emotion and this passion to drive us forward.
“That will be important, but we will also need clarity, discipline and to show our identity in our game.
“We are at home, we have great support every game. Playing in our stadium, in front of our fans means a lot for us. It is a special place to be and I believe the connection between the team and the supporters is growing and growing.
“We need to have that connection to be stronger, we have an opportunity to bounce back from the last game and get closer to how we want to be."
Phil Parkinson: "You look at the contrasting fortunes of both clubs in those [past] 20 years, and obviously we had that 15-year block in the National League.
"But now we find ourselves in the same league as them and it's a real mouthwatering kind of game for everybody, hence it's captured a lot of attention.
"To be now finding ourselves where we are… of course we are [proud]. We know that it counts for so much and we can take satisfaction from that, but it's about the 90 minutes down at Swansea on Friday and proving that [we are the top Welsh side]."
Meet the officials
Oliver Langford will be the man in the middle when Swansea City host Wrexham at the Swansea.com Stadium this evening (8pm).
Langford is now in his 15th season as a Football League referee, having made his debut in August 2008 in the League Two clash between Rochdale and Barnet.
The official from the west Midlands travelled to SA1 twice last season, taking charge of a south Wales derby draw against Cardiff and a defeat to Burnley.
Having been refereeing since 1995, Langford was promoted to the List of Referees in 2008. When Select Group 2 was introduced by PGMOL ahead of the 2016-17 season, he was one of 18 referees added to that list.
He has taken charge of two play-off semi-finals and the 2017 FA Youth Cup final. Despite not being named a Select Group Official, he is VAR trained and been part of officiating teams at Premier League level.
This season he has had the whistle for 13 games, handing out 47 yellow cards and two reds.
He will be assisted by Mark Stevens and David Harrison. Gavin Ward will be the fourth official.
Remember the last time?
Swansea City said farewell to the Vetch Field with victory over Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup final on May 11, 2005.
Having sealed promotion to League One with a win at Bury four days earlier, the Swans had further reason to celebrate as they came from behind to see off the Dragons in front of a 9,000-strong crowd.
Kenny Jackett’s side were aiming to give the club’s home of 93 years the perfect send-off before their move to the brand-new Liberty Stadium in the summer.
However, they fell behind on the hour mark as some sloppy defending allowed future Swansea defender Dennis Lawrence to cross for Juan Ugarte, who made no mistake from close range.
But the hosts responded and dragged themselves level just eight minutes later, when Lee Trundle embarked on a strong run into the box before his cross was headed into his own net by Shaun Pejic.
And Andy Robinson completed the turnaround and etched his name in Swansea history when he dispatched a volley high into the net.
Prime numbers
10 - Zan Vipotnik's strike at Stoke took his tally for the season to double figures.
22 - It is nearly 20 years since the teams met in the 2006 FAW Premier Cup final, but the last league fixture was over 22 years ago in March 2003. That game ended goalless.