Swans v Brighton: The big talking points
Swansea City are hungry to bank a second home win of the season when they take on Brighton and Hove Albion.
But the Seagulls arrive in form, having taken five points from their last three Premier League fixtures.
Here we check out all the key talking points heading into Saturday’s game.
It’s been a while
This will be the first Premier League encounter between the Swans and Brighton, and the first in the league for nine years.
They last met in the league on the final day of the 2007-08 campaign, when Roberto Martinez’s Swans lifted the League One trophy at the Seagulls’ former Withdean Stadium home.
Febian Brandy scored the only goal late on that day as the Swans ended a superb season on a high note.
Amongst those involved in that game were Angel Rangel, Darren Pratley and then skipper Garry Monk.
Brighton were spreaheaded by Glenn Murray, who could lead the line again this weekend.
Home run
There is little doubt where the Swans’ problems have come in the first quarter of the season.
Their return of five points from five away games is perfectly respectable. In fact, their record on the road thus far is better than that of 10 other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal.
On their own patch, however, it is a different story.
One victory in five Liberty games to date, against Huddersfield last month, means the Swans have the worst home record in the top flight.
Paul Clement and players are desperate to change that statistic.
Who’s the meanest?
Chances are the bookmakers won’t be expecting a bucket-load of goals in Landore this weekend.
After all, the two meanest defences in the bottom half of the table come face to face.
The Swans have conceded 12 league goals, which is fewer than Arsenal, Liverpool and Watford in the top 10 as well as all but one of the sides in the bottom 10 right now.
The one exception is Brighton, who have been breached only 11 times in their first 10 games at this level.
Tammy’s impact
Tammy Abraham’s form since joining the Swans was recognised this week as he was called up to the England senior squad for the first time.
Certainly, the numbers make good reading for the young striker.
He has been involved in 71 per cent of the Swans’ league goals so far this season – scoring four and laying on one – which is the highest ratio in the division.
Brighton’s Pascal Gross is second in that list, having scored twice and claimed no fewer than five assists since his summer move from Ingolstadt.
Clearance kings
Only three players in the Premier League have cleared the ball more often this season than Swans centre-back Federico Fernandez, who has done so 76 times.
One of those, Shane Duffy, will be in the Brighton side this weekend.
With 93 clearances so far, he is top of the table, while the Swans have a second representative in the top 10 in the shape of Alfie Mawson (62).
Duffy is also joint-top in the list of aerial battles won (48) alongside Christian Benteke. The top Swan in that list is Mawson, who is 12th with 33 battles won.
