Preview: Wolves v Swans

6th January
First team

Swansea City are aiming to record their first victory of 2018 when they face Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Emirates FA Cup this afternoon (3pm).

Carlos Carvalhal’s men are looking to bounce back from the 2-0 midweek defeat by Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Despite the result, the Swans took positives from their performance against Mauricio Pochettino’s Spurs side, while they showed great spirit to land a comeback win at Watford last weekend.

Now Carvalhal will look to lead the Swans into the fourth round of the cup, but his team are expecting a tough test against a Wolves side who seem destined to be in the Premier League next season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s men are no fewer than 12 points clear at the top of the Championship, and come into the Swans tie on the back of a 12-match unbeaten run.

This will be the first competitive meeting between the clubs since April 2012, when they played out an entertaining 4-4 draw at the Liberty.


Team news

Wilfried Bony returned to full training this week and is set to feature, but Tammy Abraham is a doubt.

Ki Sung-Yeung and Leon Britton are nearing returns to action but will not feature this weekend, while Angel Rangel misses out after sustaining a calf injury against Spurs.

Lukasz Fabianski will be rested, meaning a probable chance for Kristoffer Nordfeldt. Carvalhal could also include a handful of under-23 players in his squad.

Wolves will be without captain Danny Batth, who is suspended. Phil Ofosu-Ayeh is yet to play for Wolves because of injury having joined the club last summer.

Nuno has indicated that like Carvalhal, he will make some changes to his side.

 

What they said

Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo: "We had the Carabao Cup, and we had a really nice ride there, and the FA Cup is the same but with our ideas. The squad will be important for us.”

Carlos Carvalhal: “I think this game will be 50-50, like when any team from the Premier League goes to a team in the Championship.”

 

Last six meetings

28.04.12 Swans 4 Wolves 4
22.10.11 Wolves 2 Swans 2
28.10.08 Wolves 2 Swans 1
04.10.08 Swans 3 Wolves 1
11.09.02 Swans 2 Wolves 3
22.04.89 Wolves 1 Swans 1


Pre-match stats

3 – Jordan Ayew has found the net in two of his three appearances in cup competitions for the Swans.

2 – The Swans have scored at least two goals in each of their last four meetings with Wolves.