Swansea City vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Swansea.com StadiumAttendance20,276.
Saturday 26 November 2016 15:02, UK
Swansea will hope to get their second Premier League win of the season against fellow strugglers Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Bob Bradley has yet to record a win as Swansea manager since taking the job in October, and with the Welsh club bottom of the table, a win this weekend would greatly boost their survival hopes.
On Thursday, Bradley called for supporters to put their issues with the club's ownership aside and get behind the team.
Crystal Palace have won the least amount of matches out of any club in the top four divisions of English football for 2016. Their last win came against Sunderland on September 24 and are currently just one point off the relegation zone.
Team news
Swansea are without midfielder Sung-Yueng Ki for the Premier League visit of fellow strugglers Crystal Palace.
Ki came off the bench in last weekend's 1-1 draw at Everton, but it is understood that the South Korean international actually broke his toe against Manchester United three weeks ago and now faces a fortnight on the sidelines.
Wingers Nathan Dyer and Jefferson Montero are both fit after recent injuries, but Bob Bradley is set to name an unchanged side as he attempts to claim his first win in charge of bottom-placed Swansea.
Crystal Palace have no fresh injury or suspension concerns.
Striker Loic Remy, who has been out with a thigh injury, has suffered a setback after picking up a calf problem during his recovery and will be out for at least two weeks more than originally thought.
Goalkeeper Steve Mandanda (knee) and defender Pape Souare (broken leg) remain sidelined.
Opta stats
Swansea won their first Premier League match against the Eagles in September 2013 but are winless in the last five since then (D4 L1).
Crystal Palace have scored just four goals in their last 10 league encounters with Swansea and never more than once in this run.
Andros Townsend has had a hand in three goals in his last three league games versus Swansea (two goals, one assist). Indeed, against no side has Townsend netted more league goals than versus the Swans (2).
Crystal Palace have averaged 0.71 points per game in league football during 2016 so far (W5 D7 L19) - lower than any other team to play in the Football League or Premier League this year.
Palace are on a five-game losing streak in the Premier League; they haven't lost six in a row in the competition since November 2013 (seven defeats).
Swansea City have picked up only two points in their five Premier League games under Bob Bradley so far (W0 D2 L3).
The Swans have won just four of their previous 20 PL games in the month of November (W4 D10 L6). They are currently on a seven-game winless streak in the month (W0 D3 L4).
Christian Benteke has scored two goals and assisted one more in three previous Premier League appearances at the Liberty Stadium.
Jason Puncheon has created 13 goalscoring chances for Benteke in the Premier League this season; more than any other player has for a single teammate.
Since he signed for Swansea in August 2014, Gylfi Sigurdsson has had a hand in 37 Premier League goals (21 goals, 16 assists); 23 more than any other player for the club in this period.
Wilfried Zaha has beaten an opponent with a league-high 54 dribbles in the Premier League this season, while only Kevin De Bruyne (7) has more assists than the Palace winger (5).
Merson's prediction
Both teams need to win this football match and both are under pressure to win it. I think both are in terrible, terrible form at the moment - it's really bad.
I think both teams will be as nervous as anything and I think it will be a cagey game, this one.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Betting
Swansea are Sky Bet's marginal favourites at 6/4, with Crystal Palace slightly longer odds at 7/4 while the draw is priced at 100/30.
The first goalscorer market is also wide open, with Gylfi Sigurdsson and Christian Benteke tied at the head of the betting at 5/1 apiece.
The Swans are currently 5/6 third favourites for relegation while their visitors are hardly considered safe either at 5/1.
Upgrade to Sky Sports now and get 12 months half price. Hurry, offer ends December 4!
