MX23RW : Thursday, January 28 17:23:34| >> :60:623:623:
Jan 30, 2021 at 3pm UK at AESSEAL New York Stadium
RotherhamRotherham United
vs.
SwanseaSwansea City

Preview: Rotherham United vs. Swansea City - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Championship clash between Rotherham United and Swansea City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Two sides in good form but at opposite ends of the table meet in the Championship on Saturday as Rotherham United host Swansea City.

Both teams are currently on their longest unbeaten runs of the season so far, but the Millers remain in the relegation zone while the Swans are second.


Match preview

Rotherham United's Matty Crooks celebrates scoring against Middlesbrough in the Championship on January 27, 2021© Reuters

Rotherham achieved their joint-biggest win of the campaign on Wednesday as goals from Matt Crooks, Michael Smith and debutant Ryan Giles secured a 3-0 victory away to Middlesbrough.

It is now seven points from the last nine available for the Millers, who had slumped down the table and looked to be in a troubling patch as 2020 came to a close.

However, they are now just two points adrift of safety and have two games in hand over the teams above them – with a huge clash with Derby County to come next Tuesday.

Paul Warne has switched to a three-man central defence in recent weeks and the new system appears to be getting the best out of Rotherham's small squad. Their task now is to achieve the club's first back-to-back wins in the Championship since April 2016.

Swansea City's Jamal Lowe celebrates scoring their first goal against Watford on January 2, 2021© Reuters

However that is a big ask against a Swansea side who are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions and in a strong position as they aim to win promotion.

The Swans had Kyle Naughton sent off and trailed 1-0 against promotion rivals Brentford in midweek, but new signing Conor Hourihane equalised to ensure that Steve Cooper's men remained in the top two.

Swansea have the best defence in the Championship having conceded just 14 times this season, with Freddie Woodman keeping the most clean sheets (14) in the division.

That includes the 1-0 win over Rotherham at the Liberty Stadium in November, which left the Millers with just one victory in their last six games against the Welsh side.

Like Rotherham, Swansea have a vital fixture coming up in a few days' time as they face league leaders Norwich City next Friday.

Rotherham United Championship form: WLLWDW
Rotherham United form (all competitions): LLLWDW

Swansea City Championship form: WWDWWD
Swansea City form (all competitions): DWWWWD


Team News

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured on January 16, 2021© Reuters

Ryan Giles could make his first Rotherham start on Saturday afternoon after making an instant impact with a goal as a substitute against Middlesbrough.

Paul Warne may otherwise keep his first XI the same after such an impressive victory, with Matt Crooks, a defensive midfielder by trade, continuing to star upfront and keeping natural frontman Freddie Ladapo out of the side.

Kyle Naughton's two yellow cards against Brentford mean he is suspended for the trip to Yorkshire, with Ryan Bennett the most likely candidate to replace him at centre-back.

New signing Jordan Morris did not make it off the bench in midweek, so will be hoping to make his debut on Saturday.

Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Blackman; Ihiekwe, Wood, A. MacDonald; Olosunde, S. MacDonald, Lindsay, Wiles, Giles; Crooks, Smith

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Woodman; Bennett, Cabango, Guehi; Roberts, Grimes, Fulton, Hourihane, Bidwell; Ayew, Lowe


SM words green background

We say: Rotherham United 1-2 Swansea City

Rotherham's new-found confidence will truly be put to the test here, and this should be a closer game than it perhaps looked a few weeks ago. Nonetheless, we cannot see past the quality in Swansea's side so we are backing the visitors to take all three points.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Away:data


ID:432522:cQx

Who will win Saturday's Championship clash between Rotherham and Swansea?

Rotherham United
Draw
Swansea City
Rotherham United
0.0%
Draw
0.0%
Swansea City
100%
1
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Rotherham United manager Paul Warne pictured on January 16, 2021
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rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich25165435211453
2Swansea CitySwansea25138430141647
3Watford26138530181247
4Brentford24129338221645
5Reading2513573728944
6Bournemouth25119538211742
7Middlesbrough2611693024639
8Bristol City25123102727039
9Stoke CityStoke2691073128337
10Blackburn RoversBlackburn25106940281236
11Preston North EndPreston26113123133-236
12Barnsley26105112934-535
13Luton TownLuton2596102127-633
14Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2694132937-831
15Cardiff CityCardiff2586113230230
16Millwall2561272124-330
17Coventry CityCoventry2578102434-1029
18Queens Park RangersQPR2569102331-827
19Birmingham CityBirmingham2568111830-1226
20Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2567122029-925
21Derby CountyDerby2567121625-925
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham2365122632-623
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds2467111525-1019
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe2336141635-1915

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