Preview: Swansea City vs. Preston North End - prediction, team news, lineups

Swansea City will welcome Preston North End to the Liberty Stadium for their Championship encounter on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts have picked up just one point from their last 12 available, while the visitors have claimed eight points under new head coach Ryan Lowe in the same period.

Match preview

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Swansea ended a run of four successive defeats across all competitions when they played out a 1-1 draw away against Huddersfield Town last weekend.

Flynn Downes cancelled out Danel Sinani's 15th-miunte opener with his first goal for the Swans in the 78th minute to rescue a point for Russell Martin's men.

While Swansea's form will be a concern for Martin, they are sitting nine points clear of the relegation zone in 17th place, with at least one game in hand on every team below them.

Swansea, who are yet to win in 2022, head into Saturday's fixture having failed to win each of their last four home matches in all competitions, conceding 11 goals in the process.

Martin's side also shipped three goals against Preston at Deepdale earlier this season, when they suffered a 3-1 defeat, so the Swans will be keen to amend their defensive frailties if they are to turn their fortunes around.

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Preston North End managed to come from two goals down with 10 men to rescue a 2-2 draw at home against Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

Jayden Bogle broke the deadlock for the visitors in the 17th minute before Andrew Hughes was dismissed just before half time for his challenge on Rhian Brewster inside the penalty area as the last man, which resulted in Billy Sharp converting from the spot.

However, Preston fought back in the second half with goals in the final 20 minutes from Alan Browne and Emil Riis Jakobsen – the latter equalising in the 89th minute – helping the hosts secure their ninth draw of the campaign.

Ryan Lowe remains unbeaten in the league as Preston boss, and his side now sit 14th in the Championship table, five points clear of Saturday's opponents Swansea as well as 11 points behind the playoffs.

Preston won their last away league game in Wales when they claimed a slender 1-0 win at the Liberty Stadium in April last season.

After winning 3-1 on home soil against Swansea earlier this campaign, the Lilywhites will be looking for a league double against them for the first time since 1933-34.

Team News

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Martin has confirmed that he has a fully-fit squad for this weekend's game, though Jamie Paterson is set to miss out as he is "not in the right frame of mind" amid reported interest from other clubs.

The Swans have also seen two players depart the club this week, with Jake Bidwell joining Coventry City on a free transfer, while Rhys Williams has been recalled from his loan spell by parent club Liverpool.

As for incomings, January signing Hannes Wolf, who has joined on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach, could be in contention to feature this weekend, subject to international clearance, while Cyrus Christie is in line to start his first home game for the club after making his debut away at Huddersfield.

As for Preston, they will be without the suspended Hughes, though Ryan Ledson, Josh Earl and Matthew Olosunde have all returned to training and may be in contention to feature on Saturday.

Riis Jakobsen, who netted his ninth goal of the season in midweek, is set to start once again and could be joined in attack by Welshman Ched Evans.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Hamer; Naughton, Cabango, Bennett; Christie, Grimes, Downes, Manning; Ntcham, Wolf; Piroe

Preston North End possible starting lineup:
Iversen; Van den Berg, Bauer, Lindsay; Potts, Browne, Whiteman, Barkhuizen; Johnson; Evans, Riis Jakobsen

We say: Swansea City 1-1 Preston North End

With both teams almost at full strength, Saturday's contest will be a difficult one to call despite their contrasting runs of form.

Swansea will be desperate to end their five-game winless streak, however, they may have to settle for just a point against a resurgent Preston outfit.

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