Venue: Liberty Stadium Date: Saturday, 19th January K/o: 15:00
Team News
Swansea will recall six players who were rested against Arsenal on Wednesday, including top goalscorer Michu. Midfielder Kemy Agustien is out for four weeks after injuring his ankle against the Gunners, however. Defender Andy Wilkinson is a doubt for Stoke, after injuring his back against Crystal Palace midweek. Charlie Adam and Asmir Begovic will return after being rested, and Ryan Shotton might return from a hamstring problem. Kenwyne Jones, who is a transfer target for today's opponents, may not play, according to Potters manager Tony Pulis.
Match Preview
Swansea and Stoke sit finely balanced in mid-table. The hosts are ninth at the moment, a point ahead of Stoke back in tenth. With a League Cup semi-final coming up, Michael Laudrup may have one eye ahead of this game as he looks to defend a 2-0 lead over Chelsea. But the Swans arent to take todays opponents lightly. Whilst they are unbeaten in five league games, they have drawn four of those matches, and have won only one of their last seven top-flight encounters. This game could boil down to a battle between one of the brightest strikers in the division Michu and one of the meanest defences in the league in Stoke. Stokes 4-0 battering by Chelsea last week was uncharacteristic really, it isnt often Tony Pulis side ship that many goals, and he will be hoping for business as usual today.
Likely Line-Ups
Swansea Vorm, Williams, Rangel, Davies, Chico, Michu, Routledge, De Guzman, Dyer, Hernandez, Graham Stoke Begovic, Shawcross, Huth, Cameron, Upson, Walters, Whelan, Kightly, Adam, Crouch, Jones Source: BBC