Stoke v Swansea preview: Tammy Abraham available for selection
Saturday 2 December 2017 14:12, UK
England international Tammy Abraham returns for Swansea's Premier League trip to Stoke on Saturday.
The Chelsea loanee missed the midweek defeat at Stamford Bridge as he was ineligible to play against his parent club, and will provide a huge lift to a side in real trouble.
The men from south Wales sit second bottom, having won just two games and scoring a mere seven goals in the process. Only three clubs have scored fewer goals after 14 games of a Premier League season than Swansea this campaign: Derby (five in 2007-08), Bradford (five in 2000-01) and Man City (six in 1995-96).
Stoke have also struggled for form this season, and are winless in their last four. The Potters were no match for Liverpool in midweek, but go into this clash as firm favourites.
"Performances are better than results describe," said Hughes. "I'd argue the performance on Wednesday was good up to 77 minutes when the second goal went in.
"If we don't get the results our performances deserve, we put ourselves under pressure, which is where we are now, but I fully expect us to put that right against Swansea."
Team news
Federico Fernandez is missing again for Swansea following the death of his father, while on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches could be omitted after being substituted at half-time at Chelsea.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is expected to be fit for Stoke. The forward finished the defeat to Liverpool in midweek nursing an ankle knock but Stoke boss Mark Hughes described the injury as "nothing significant" and he should retain his place in the starting line-up.
Geoff Cameron will remain out despite being given the all-clear to resume training following a head injury. Jack Butland continues his recovery from a broken finger.
Opta stats
Stoke City are unbeaten against Swansea City in all six Premier League clashes at the bet365 Stadium (W4 D2). In fact, against no other side have the Potters played more Premier League home games without defeat (6).
Overall in 2017/18, Swansea have attempted a league-low 24 shots on target in the Premier League and allowed their opponents the most shots on target (74).
This is Stoke City's worst-ever points total after 14 games of a Premier League campaign (13) and six points fewer than at this season last season (19).
Only West Ham United (30) have conceded more goals this season in the Premier League than Stoke (29).
Merson's prediction
This is a big game for Stoke. If they get beat here then Mark Hughes will be in a bit of bother. Swansea will make it hard for Stoke. The players are working for the manager but they just can't score goals. I can see it being a cagey match, but I rarely go against Stoke at home.
Renato Sanches has shot a bolt. He's gone as a footballer at the moment. His confidence is shot. At Bayern Munich he was one of the best young players in the world, you don't go to Bayern if you're no good - in the Euros he was outstanding. It just shows you it doesn't matter who you are, how much money you get, when your confidence goes, that is it. They're only human. It's hard to get that confidence back.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Stoke are marginally odds-on at 17/20 with Sky Bet, who make Swansea 16/5 outsiders while pricing the draw at 12/5. The visitors are currently 4/11 favourites for relegation with the Potters 4/1 to face the drop. Eric Choupo Moting and Peter Crouch share favouritism in the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 apiece, while Tammy Abraham's importance to the Paul Clement's side is reflected by his place at the head of the visitors' side of the market at 11/2.
