MX23RW : Tuesday, March 2 23:27:21| >> :120:4747:4747:
Mar 3, 2021 at 8.15pm UK at Bet365 Stadium
StokeStoke City
vs.
SwanseaSwansea City

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

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between Stoke City and Swansea City, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Promotion contenders Swansea City make the trip to the bet365 Stadium looking to improve on a run of just one win in three Championship fixtures.

Meanwhile, Stoke City head into the game on Wednesday evening on the back of consecutive defeats, form which has left the Potters as outsiders for a playoff spot.


Match preview

Swansea City manager Steve Cooper pictured in February 2021© Reuters

When Swansea impressed to defeat leaders Norwich City in the middle of February, Steve Cooper would have expected the result to act as a springboard for greater success later in the season.

However, toppling the division's pacesetters has only hindered the Welsh outfit, who have produced four below-par performances since that victory at the Liberty Stadium.

Swansea have still managed to collect six points from those fixtures, but the 3-1 reverse at home to Bristol City on Saturday highlighted that this side have started to lose their way.

Should they prevail in their two matches in hand, Swansea will move into second position, a reward for their consistency in defence since the start of September.

Nevertheless, seven goals have been conceded in just three games, almost a third of the strikes that they have shipped throughout the campaign.

Stoke City manager Michael O'Neill pictured in October 2020© Reuters

As far as Stoke are concerned, Michael O'Neill would have been left relatively impressed with the level of performance produced against Brentford at the weekend.

With the Potters holding an early lead, it took one of the goals of the month from Vitaly Janelt to turn the game on its head, subsequently helping the Bees record a 2-1 win.

Having lost two matches in succession, Stoke are now seven points off the playoffs, putting the Staffordshire outfit under pressure to get a win on the board on Wednesday.

Stoke have claimed seven points from their three most recent home fixtures, keeping clean sheets in each of the games against Reading, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town.

Stoke City Championship form: DLWWLL

Swansea City Championship form: WWWLWL
Swansea City form (all competitions): WLWLWL


Team News

Stoke City's Jacob Brown in action with Nottingham Forest's Ryan Yates in the Championship on December 29, 2020© Reuters

Jacob Brown is expected to keep his place in the Stoke attack after ending a near four-month wait for a goal versus Brentford.

While Stoke should stick with three players in defence, Jack Clarke may be drafted back into the starting lineup.

Cooper is likely to hand a recall to midfielder Jay Fulton, potentially as an alternative to Yan Dhanda.

Kyle Naughton and Korey Smith are also pushing for appearances in the starting lineup, but Ryan Bennett is expected to miss out through injury.

Stoke City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Batth, Souttar, Chester; Smith, Allen, Mikel, Norrington-Davies; Clarke, Brown, Powell

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


SM words green background

We say: Stoke City 1-1 Swansea City

While both of these clubs will view this contest as one which they must not lose, a draw does not benefit either club. Taking everything into consideration, we can only see a low-scoring stalemate in the Potteries with the home side potentially finding a late equaliser.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 2.5 goals 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.Under 2.5:data


ID:437276:cQx:QQ:

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Who will win Wednesday's Championship clash between Stoke and Swansea?

Stoke City
Draw
Swansea City
Stoke City
33.3%
Draw
16.7%
Swansea City
50.0%
18
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Todays Game Header Right
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Norwich CityNorwich33217547252270
2Brentford33189661352663
3Watford33179743241960
4Swansea CitySwansea31178639221759
5Reading34176114637957
6Cardiff CityCardiff341581153351853
7Bournemouth331410947321552
8Barnsley32156113836251
9Middlesbrough34148124036450
10Millwall34101683431346
11Stoke CityStoke331112103837145
12Bristol City33143163544-945
13Luton TownLuton33128132837-944
14Preston North EndPreston34134173844-643
15Blackburn RoversBlackburn33117154639740
16Queens Park RangersQPR311010113136-540
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest341010142833-540
18Derby CountyDerby33108152537-1238
19Huddersfield TownHuddersfield34107173951-1237
20Coventry CityCoventry34811153146-1535
21Birmingham CityBirmingham34811152642-1635
22Rotherham UnitedRotherham3185183342-929
23Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds3297162338-1528
24Wycombe WanderersWycombe3258192353-3023

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