Talking Tactics | Swansea City v Southampton
After last weekend’s draw at Birmingham, Swansea City are back on home turf with Southampton the visitors on Saturday, Ahead of the clash, WhoScored.com preview the contest, looking at what to expect from the away side, a key battle and key stat.
What to expect from Southampton
Russell Martin and Southampton head to the Swansea.com Stadium knowing a victory will send them second in the table, at least until Ipswich travel to Leicester on Monday evening.
The Saints are also one game away from breaking a club-record unbeaten run of 20 games, set in 1921 and equalled this season. They’ve not lost a match in any competition since the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough back in September.
Southampton, as many would expect under former Swans boss Russell Martin, lead the Championship when it comes to average possession (66.4%) and pass accuracy (90%).
The visitors are also averaging more shots on target per match (5.8) than any other team in the division this term.
Martin has found a winning formula with a 4-3-3 set-up, and a settled starting XI across their ongoing unbeaten run.
Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu, along with full-back Kyle Walker-Peters and attacker Adam Armstrong have all started each and every one of the Saints’ 27 league matches so far.
Key battle
Much of Southampton’s success so far this term has come, one way or another, from talisman Adam Armstrong.
The 26-year-old leads the Championship for direct goal involvements (25), with the most assists (11), while only Blackburn’s Sammie Szmodics has scored more goals (16) than his 14.
Key, then, to nullifying the Saints’ main man could be Swansea centre-back Bashir Humphreys, who has started each of the last six league games.
Humphreys, in the absence of the injured Ben Cabango, is making more clearances (2.9) and interceptions per match (1.1) than any other Swans centre-back.
The 20-year-old also excels when it comes to concentration and playing short passes, according to his statistically calculated WhoScored.com player characteristics. They are attributes that could be crucial when contending with Southampton’s press.
Key Stat
No team have won possession in the attacking third more times than Southampton (147) in the Championship this season, while only Leeds have created more chances (333) than the Saints (329).
Only three teams average more of their play in their own third than the Swans (30%) so far this season, while Southampton average more play in the opposition third than any other side (33%).
The visitors’ high press has proved very effective so far this term, and concentration, particularly when playing out from the back, will be crucial for Swansea.