Swansea City vs Huddersfield Town. Premier League.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance20,657.
Saturday 14 October 2017 08:49, UK
Swansea will make a late decision on Wilfried Bony's fitness ahead of their Premier League clash with Huddersfield on Saturday.
Bony, who has been troubled by a nerve problem in his calf which has caused him to experience tightness in his hamstring, faces a race against time to be fit for a clash that already seems crucial to the Swans' survival hopes.
One victory so far, over bottom side Crystal Palace, means Swansea are languishing in the relegation zone. Their home form will be of particular concern - Paul Clement's side have lost all three matches in south Wales so far this season, scoring just once in the process.
After winning their first two games, it look like life in the Premier League would be a stroll for Huddersfield.
However, they have not tasted victory again since in all competitions, leaving confidence low ahead of the trip to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
Renato Sanches is set to miss Saturday's encounter after picking up a thigh strain on international duty with Portugal.
While the news surrounding Bony might not be so positive, there is better news on Nathan Dyer (Achilles) and Ki Sung-yueng (knee) who are available for the first time this season.
Danny Williams is expected to return to Huddersfield's squad in time for Saturday.
Midfielder Williams has recovered from a foot injury and could start, with head coach David Wagner to decide whether to rest Australia international Aaron Mooy.
Club record signing Steve Mounie is back in training after missing three league games due to an inflamed heel and may be involved. Collin Quaner (calf), Kasey Palmer (hamstring) and Michael Hefele (Achilles) are still out.
This is the first top-flight meeting between Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, with the two sides having met in each of the other top three tiers of English football. It will be the 92nd fixture in English league football to span the top four tiers, with Swansea having previously faced Watford and Wolves in all four divisions and Huddersfield facing Portsmouth in all four.
The Terriers have failed to score in nine of their last 14 matches in all competitions, including in each of the last three. They last went four competitive games without a goal back in August 2004.
Swansea have attempted the fewest shots in the Premier League this season (46) and have also registered just 30 shots in open play, a league-low.
Swansea have also fired in just 11 shots on target so far this season, the fewest in the Premier League. There have been three players land more shots on target in the top-flight this season than the Swans have managed (Harry Kane 16, Romelu Lukaku 15, Mohamed Salah 14).
Only Southampton's Nathan Redmond (23) has had more shots without scoring in the Premier League this season than Huddersfield's Tom Ince (20).
David de Gea (6) is the only Premier League goalkeeper to have kept more clean sheets this season than Huddersfield's Jonas Lossl (4) - level with Petr Cech, Hugo Lloris and Ederson.
This is a big game. Huddersfield have hit a bit of a brick wall in terms of scoring goals. They were comfortable at Burnley but never looked like scoring themselves, and you are not going to stay up if you can't score.
Swansea aren't pulling up any trees but this is a must-win game for them considering their home form this season. Away from home they have defended quite well but now you have to go and win a match. I think they might just have enough but it will be a hard game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
