Francesco Guidolin will look to continue his unbeaten start to life as Swansea City manager when his side welcome Southampton to the Liberty Stadium this Saturday.
The experienced Italian has lifted his side four points clear of the relegation zone, but they come up against an in-form Saints outfit with growing European aspirations this weekend.
Swansea
© Getty Images
When Guidolin was announced as the new head coach of Swansea, some eight matches after Garry Monk had been sacked by the club, it is fair to say that it raised a few eyebrows.
Not only had Alan Curtis only recently been confirmed as the caretaker boss until the end of the campaign, but Guidolin was a relative unknown on these shores.
Out of management for 20 months and having only taken one job outside his native Italy throughout a 30-year coaching career, there were certainly question marks over whether he was the right choice to step in with Swansea in a fairly perilous situation.
So far, though, Guidolin has come up with the answers to all those questions. He watched on from the stands as Swansea beat Watford and then won at Goodison Park in his first match in the dugout.
Draws against two out-of-form teams in West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace may have been a little disappointing given that start, but they at least put more points on the board and Swansea have continued to edge themselves further away from the drop zone.
They have already matched their best run of the season, set in August when the forthcoming campaign seemed so full of promise, and should they pick up another point or three this weekend then it would be their longest unbeaten streak in the Premier League since 2012-13.
Back-to-back trips to North London to face title-chasing duo Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal follow this weekend's match, which puts even more importance on getting something out of the game with the teams below them also beginning to pick up points.
They will be glad to return to South Wales too, where they have only lost one of their last five outings following a winless streak of six games in front of their own fans.
That includes the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last weekend, a match that saw Gylfi Sigurdsson score for the fifth time in his last six appearances for the Swans.
Recent form: LLWWDD
Recent form (all competitions): LLWWDD
Southampton
© Getty Images
While it is a new manager who brought about an upturn in fortunes for Swansea, Southampton's recent improvement can be tied in with the return of a key player.
Fraser Forster made his first appearance of the season against Watford earlier this month, and in the five games since his return Southampton are yet to concede a single goal.
He has faced 14 shots on target in that time and saved each of them to thrust himself back into the thinking of Roy Hodgson for this summer's European Championship after Jack Butland had surpassed him in the pecking order during his absence.
Arguably the keeper's best display came in the goalless draw with Arsenal, which is the only match that Southampton have failed to win in their last five outings, a run of 13 points from a possible 15 that puts them behind only the top two in the form table.
Having dropped into the bottom half during a run of just one win in 10 matches prior to their recent improvement, Ronald Koeman's side now find themselves just four points behind fifth-placed Manchester United with their next five games all coming against sides in the bottom half.
They moved to within two points of West Ham United last weekend courtesy of a 1-0 victory over the Hammers, although it was far from straightforward at St Mary's.
Maya Yoshida's ninth-minute goal handed the Saints an early lead, but they were forced to hold on with 10 men for much of the second half after Victor Wanyama was shown his third red card of the season for scything down Dimitri Payet.
Koeman has confirmed that he will speak to the Kenyan regarding his discipline, but it is one of few qualms that the Dutchman can have with his side at the moment.
Even things on the road are looking up - four points from back-to-back away games against Manchester United and Arsenal is a marked improvement from the four consecutive defeats that preceded it, and should Forster maintain his untarnished record this weekend then the Saints would make it three consecutive away clean sheets in the league for the first time since 2013.
Recent form: LWWWDW
Recent form (all competitions): LWWWDW
Team News
© Getty Images
Southampton will be without the suspended Wanyama for their next five games, with the midfielder not eligible to play again until a mid-March meeting with Liverpool.
Elsewhere, Steven Davis and Matt Targett are fit to return following hamstring and ankle injuries respectively, which could see Koeman revert to his normal formation having played three at the back against West Ham.
Jay Rodriguez and Florin Gardos remain sidelined, meanwhile, and Charlie Austin may once again have to settle for a place on the bench.
Swansea's only injury concern surrounds Ki Sung-yueng, who missed last weekend's game due to concussion but could be fit to return on Saturday.
January arrival Alberto Paloschi made his first start for the club against Palace, and is expected to lead the line once again this weekend.
Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor; Cork, Britton, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Paloschi, Ayew
Southampton possible starting lineup:
Forster; Cedric, Van Dijk, Fonte, Bertrand; Clasie, Romeu, Mane, Long, Tadic; Pelle
Head To Head
Southampton have won four of the last five meetings between these two sides and have only been beaten once by Swansea in their seven Premier League clashes, conceding just three goals in that time.
Swansea's last victory over the Saints at the Liberty Stadium came in a Championship match back in October 2008 when they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. They have failed to even score past Southampton in their three Premier League games in South Wales.
The reverse fixture in September ended in a 3-1 home win for Southampton, with Swansea's goal coming as a late consolation from the penalty spot.
The Dugout Podcast
Hit play below to listen to Sports Mole's new podcast 'The Dugout' for our take on the week's biggest football talking points:
We say: Swansea 1-1 Southampton
These are two improving sides starting to string together decent unbeaten runs, and we can see them both continuing at the weekend. Southampton may be slight favourites, but their away form this season has left plenty to be desired so Koeman may be content with a point from this game.
No Data Analysis info
