TALKING TACTICS: Swans v Southampton

31st January

Ahead of the Premier League meeting with Southampton at the Liberty, we have teamed up with football stats experts WhoScored.com to preview this evening's encounter.

Swansea have had ample time to rest up ahead of the winnable welcome of Saints and are presented with the ideal chance to worsen the visitors' away day woes.
Claude Puel's side have won just four games on the road in all competitions this season, though they, like the Swans, secured a win on their last away day - earning victory at Anfield.
Saints, however, have won just nine points on the road in England's top tier this term, while only a handful of teams have won fewer away Premier League matches than them (two) this season.



After a morale-boosting win over Liverpool last time out, Swansea have the opportunity to prolong Saints' poor form on the road. The meeting with the south coast club also presents Martin Olsson with the chance to make his home debut for Swansea following his January arrival.
The Sweden international maximised his experience to help the Swans to a vital three points on Merseyside last time out to earn a WhoScored.com rating of 6.46.
Olsson carried out his defensive duties effectively, making one tackle, one interception and four clearances in the 3-2 win over Liverpool. He will again need to exhibit his defensive qualities if he is to help Swansea land another crucial three points as they strive to make it three Premier League wins from the last four.



Olsson looks set to come up against tricky wideman and former Norwich team-mate Nathan Redmond when Saints make the trip to South Wales on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old is continuing to impress for his new side following his summer arrival and he has the chance to endear himself to supporters further in the midweek meeting with Swansea.
Once Redmond is on the ball and gains a head of steam, he is an incredibly difficult player to halt and it means Olsson must churn out a similar showing to the one against Liverpool in order to help Swansea to victory.
However, with the Swede well versed in his former team-mate's style of play, Olsson has the means to ensure Redmond endures a disappointing evening at the Liberty.
Having kept Adam Lallana at bay last time out, Olsson boasts the necessary solidity to ensure Redmond is kept quiet.
One of Saints' statistically-calculated WhoScored.com styles of play is 'play with width' meaning there is an increased importance to limit Redmond's influence in the final third.
Should the 28-year-old left-back play to his potential, however, then Swansea have the means to make it three wins from the last four league outings.

*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. You can follow @WhoScored and their editorial officer Ben McAleer on Twitter.

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