MX23RW : Monday, November 25 18:14:23| >> :120:22755:22755:

Preview: Swansea City vs. West Bromwich Albion

Sports Mole previews the clash between Swansea and West Brom at the Liberty Stadium, where Pepe Mel will finally hope to record his first win as Baggies boss.

West Bromwich Albion travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon still searching for their first victory under Pepe Mel.

The Baggies perilously hover one point above the Premier League drop zone following seven winless games since the Spaniard's appointment in January.

Reports this week claimed that Mel may not even last until the end of the season, but Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster has branded these suggestions as "completely crazy".

Swansea also opted to make a managerial change to avoid slipping into a relegation battle, promoting experienced defender Garry Monk to the dugout after the controversial sacking of Michael Laudrup.

Since winning the fans over with a South Wales derby triumph over Cardiff City in his opening game in charge, the 34-year-old has, like Mel, struggled to pick up positive results.

The Swans have gone six games without a win, although strong showings at Liverpool and against Napoli in the Europa League last 32 suggest that Monk's side have too much to go down.

Three points this weekend could take them into the top half of the table, but they are without an injured trio of key players - Pablo Hernandez, Michu and Jonjo Shelvey - for the visit of West Brom.

Chico Flores is also unavailable through suspension following his red card in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, and therefore his Spanish compatriot Jordi Amat is expected to deputise in central defence.

Baggies skipper Chris Brunt has been ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury suffered in the 3-0 defeat to Manchester United, in which Stephen Reid and Claudio Yacob also sustained knocks.

With Billy Jones already in the treatment room nursing a hamstring strain, Mel may be forced to use Gareth McAuley or Craig Dawson as an emergency right-back at the Liberty Stadium.

Victor Anichebe will probably be given the nod again up front, although Albion's top league goalscorer Saido Berahino, who has four goals to his name this season, is pushing for a start.

Recent form

Swansea: DLLDLD

WBA: LDDLDL

Possible starting lineups

Swansea: Vorm; Rangel, Amat, Williams, Davies; Canas, Britton; Routledge, De Guzman, Dyer; Bony

WBA: Foster; McAuley, Dawson, Olsson, Ridgewell; Mulumbu, Morrison, Amalfitano, Sessegnon, Gera; Anichebe

Sports Mole says: 2-1


ID:144025: cacheID:144025:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5768:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashkan Dejagah of Fulham celebrates as he scores their first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Fulham at The Hawthorns on February 22, 2014
Read Next:
Vydra goal denies Magath first win
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds1695228121632
2Sunderland1695226121432
3Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
4Burnley168621961330
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea165471414019
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!