Swans v Crystal Palace: The big talking points

27th August
First team

​​​​​​​Swansea City take on Crystal Palace in round two of the Carabao Cup tonight (7.30pm).

Here are all the key talking points heading into the game.

 

Can Swans respond?

The Swans suffered their first defeat of the season against Bristol City on Saturday.

Having been so impressive against Leeds in their previous game, Graham Potter’s men saw their standards drop against the Robins.

The Swans went behind after 30 seconds and never recovered, despite an improved effort in the second half.

Now they will try to find a response against Palace, even if the Carabao Cup is of less significance than the Championship.

 

Fresh faces

Will Potter freshen up his team for the Carabao Cup, as so many managers tend to do?

The Swans boss has had a fairly settled side in the early weeks of the season, so it will be interesting to see if he opts for a reshuffle tomorrow night.

He does not have a huge squad to choose from, but there are players who are itching for a chance.

The likes of Dan James, Jefferson Montero, Yan Dhanda and Declan John would all relish some game-time, as would a number of under-23 players.

Not only that, but there are some who have played regularly in the early stages of Potter’s reign who might benefit from a rest.

 

Eagles joy

The Swans have a fine record against Crystal Palace down the decades.

In fact, they have lost only one of their 15 previous home fixtures against Palace stretching back to a goalless draw at the Vetch in 1920.

And the Swans have been beaten just once in their last 14 meetings with the Eagles at home and away, when Marouane Chamakh scored the only goal at Selhurst Park on the final day of the 2014-15 season.

Premier League Palace will be keen to change those records tonight.

 

Hodgson’s choice

Crystal Palace exited the Carabao Cup against Championship opposition last season when they were thumped 4-1 at Bristol City.

Roy Hodgson made 10 changes for that tie, and conceded afterwards that his team capitulated at Ashton Gate.

Palace were bottom of the Premier League at the time, which may well have had a bearing on Hodgson’s team selection.

With Palace in ruder health now, we wait to discover how many alterations Hodgson chooses to make this time around.

His selection plans may well be affected by the fact that Palace were in Premier League action on Sunday, when they were beaten 2-1 at Watford.

 

No Jordan

Jordan Ayew joined Palace on loan from the Swans shortly before the transfer window closed in the Premier League earlier this month.

However, the forward is yet to make his debut for his new club having sat on the bench during the defeats to Liverpool and Watford.

Were Palace playing anyone else tonight, Ayew might have been expected to play.

But because Hodgson’s side have been handed a trip to Ayew’s parent club, the Ghanaian will not be allowed to feature.