TEAM NEWS
Swansea's Neil Taylor returns from a ban while Jefferson Montero has overcome the thigh problem that forced him off at Newcastle last weekend.
But the Swans are still without injured quartet Bafetimbi Gomis (hamstring), Kyle Naughton, Tom Carroll and Wayne Routledge (all ankle).
Stoke's Geoff Cameron will have a fitness test on a tight hamstring.
Midfielder Charlie Adam broke his nose in training on Thursday but will play in a protective face mask.
MATCH PREVIEW
Here we have two clubs who have largely gone under the radar this season.
For example, I can't recall too many cleverly crafted TV pieces on the roles of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ki Sung-Yueng in the latest chapter of the Swansea success story, or the rejuvenation of Lukasz Fabianski in goal.
I haven't seen lengthy newspaper column inches examining how Mark Hughes has quietly improved the well-oiled Stoke machine of Tony Pulis.
Even the best player-turned-pundit might struggle to reel off the respective starting XIs for these sides as they trot out at the Liberty Stadium.
That lack of attention and recognition comes with the territory. That territory is mid-table anonymity. And for those who love these clubs dearly, it is a price that's definitely worth paying.
Lawro's prediction |
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"Swansea won last time out but that was at Newcastle, and at the moment that does not say very much. Bafetimbi Gomis is still injured and I think the Swans will miss him up front against Stoke, who look solid again."
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Realistically neither are likely to be challenging for titles or places in Europe. Their aim back in August was to avoid being dragged into the relegation issue.
So while others have their form monitored, their remaining fixtures considered and their chances analysed constantly, Swansea and Stoke can concentrate on achieving personal bests in the Premier League.
With 50 points to their name, the Welsh club have already established a new record points tally, while clinching eighth place in the table would be their highest-ever finish. That is the same goal as Stoke City who can assume that position with victory in South Wales.
Admittedly even the most skilled spin-master would struggle to sell a match with the tag line of "the battle for eighth" but it should be a decent game.
Both teams are playing with confidence and the last three meetings between them at the Liberty have seen 12 goals scored.
Bigger stories elsewhere at the top and bottom will probably condemn the highlights to the end of Match of the Day, but that's no sleight on the impressive achievements of Swansea and Stoke this season.
In fact, in a strange kind of way, it's a back-handed compliment.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
- Stoke haven't won any of their last five trips to Swansea in all competitions (D1, L4).
- The corresponding fixture last season was a dramatic 3-3 draw, with Charlie Adam's controversial stoppage-time penalty rescuing a point for Stoke. Adam also scored with a disputed penalty against Swansea earlier this season.
Swansea
- Swansea have won three of their last five Premier League matches.
- They have won only two of their seven home league matches in 2015 (W2, D3, L2).
- Swansea have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven Premier League games at the Liberty Stadium.
- The Swans have seen their woodwork struck 18 times this season, more than any other team in the top flight.
Stoke
- Stoke have won just one of their last six Premier League matches (D2, L3) and haven't kept a clean sheet in any of those games.
- They need just one more win to reach 50 points, which would equal their best-ever points tally in a Premier League season.
- The Potters are the only team in the Premier League who have not picked up a red card this season - although only Crystal Palace have committed more fouls than Stoke's 433 this season.
- Peter Crouch has scored four goals in his last six Premier League games against Swansea City.
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