Swansea City v Southampton preview: Fraser Forster targets sixth straight shut-out
Saturday 13 February 2016 14:02, UK
Southampton travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster looking to record a sixth clean sheet in a row.
The England international has not let in a goal since returning from a serious knee injury, which kept him out for nearly 10 months, at the turn of the year, much to his boss Ronald Koeman's delight.
A tactical shift has also helped the Saints recover their form, with three centre-backs deployed in a new look formation.
However, their resolute system could come undone against the Swans, with midfield anchor Victor Wanyama suspended after picking up his third red card of the season at West Ham last time out.
Swansea head into this fixture in 16th, just five points above the relegation zone, although they are unbeaten in three games since former Parma and Udinese manager Francesco Guidolin took charge at the Liberty Stadium.
The five points the Italian has collected have moved the Swans four clear of 18th-placed Norwich City, but it could have been so much better but for equalisers given away in 1-1 draws with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace.
Team news
Swansea have no new injury problems to worry about, and hope to have midfielder Ki Sung-Yeung back after a recent bout of concussion.
Saints midfielder Steven Davis has shrugged off the knock he picked up against West Brom in mid-January and is fit for the trip to South Wales, while defender Matt Targett is also back after missing the West Ham United game.
Wanyama is out of contention for the visitors as he serves the first game of a five-match ban.
The midfielder received his third red card of the season in the Saints' 1-0 win against West Ham last weekend.
Opta stats
Southampton have won four and lost just one of the seven Premier League games against Swansea.
Swansea have failed to score in all three Premier League meetings with Southampton at Liberty Stadium.
Southampton have scored a league-high 10 headed goals in the Premier League this season.
The Welsh side have scored just three goals in the seven Premier League encounters with Southampton in total and none during the first half.
Gylfi Sigurdsson has scored five goals in his last six Premier League appearances for Swansea, the same number as he managed in his previous 33 apps in the competition.
Merson's prediction
Southampton have really turned the corner. For Forster to do what he's done and keep five clean sheets is some going in a league where so many chances are created. You have to ride your luck to keep clean sheets in this league, but take nothing away from Southampton - their dogged display against West Ham with 10 men was brilliant. I don't see Swansea scoring if I'm being honest, they've been so uncertain at the back I just see Saints winning.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds 11/2)
Betting
In-form Southampton are 6/4 favourites with Swansea 2/1 and the draw trading at 21/10. The Saints are unbeaten in their last five and are 11/4 shots to finish in the top six and 6/4 to record a sixth successive clean sheet. Swansea are unbeaten since the arrival of Francesco Guidolin and are 100/30 to win by exactly one goal.
Check out tips and Super 6 predictions from our Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas, Phil Thompson and Matt Le Tissier. The Saints are also one of the picks in this Saturday's Soccer Saturday Price Boost. Back them, Bournemouth and Everton all to win enhanced from 7/1 10/1.
