Premier League
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Played
February 11, 2012 3:00 PM GMT
Liberty Stadium — Swansea
Referee:‬ M. Atkinson‎
Attendance:‬ 19927‎
 
23′ Danny Graham
Grant Holt 48′
87′ (PG) Danny Graham
Anthony Pilkington 51′
 
Grant Holt 63′

Swansea City - Norwich City Preview: Canaries looking for first away win against the Swans since 1962

Paul Lambert's men travel to Wales hoping to get only their fourth away win of the season, while Brendan Rodgers' side look to maintain the league's second-best home defence

By Ryan Benson

More On :  Norwich City, Swansea City, Swansea City vs Norwich City

PROBABLE LINEUPS
Swansea City

Vorm
Rangel, Williams, Caulker, Taylor
Dyer, Allen, Britton, Sinclair
Sigurdsson
Graham
Norwich City

Ruddy
Martin, Barnett, Drury, Naughton
Pilkington, Johnson, Howson, Hoolahan Surman
Morison

Swansea manager Brendan Rodgers goes into Saturday’s match with Norwich boasting an almost-completely fit squad, with just two players likely to be ruled out with knocks.

Spaniard Andrea Orlandi (hamstring) remains extremely doubtful, while Ferrie Bodde (knee) continues to miss out with a long-term injury. The likelihood of Leroy Lita’s inclusion is less than certain after the former Reading man was arrested during the week for alleged drunken behaviour.

Paul Lambert has significantly more to worry about with Norwich, however. Daniel Ayala (hamstring), Declan Rudd (ankle) and James Vaughan (knee) are all out, while the Canaries are still sweating on the fitness of several other first-team members.

Zak Whitbread (hamstring), Marc Tierney (groin) and Elliott Ward (knee) are all doubtful and will be touch-and-go until late fitness tests on Friday.



 DID YOU KNOW?
  • Swansea defender Ashley Williams (pictured, right) is one of only five outfield players to complete every minute of every match in the Premier League so far this season.
  • If he plays, Leroy Lita will face one of his former clubs after making 16 appearances for Norwich in a loan spell in 2008.
  • The Swans have lost just one match at home this season, when Manchester United visited in November.
  • Brendan Rodgers' side have conceded only seven goals at the Liberty Stadium this term, a record bettered only by league leaders Manchester City, with six.
  • Only Liverpool have drawn more home matches than Swansea, with the Reds on eight and the Swans on six.
  • Norwich haven't won away to Swansea in eight attempts.
  • The Canaries have still scored more headed goals than any other team in the league, with their tally currently on 13.
  • Only five teams have picked up fewer away wins in the league this season than Norwich, with Lambert's men on three.
  • Should he get on to the pitch, Jonny Howson will make his debut for the Yellows following his January move from Leeds United.
  • The home team has won this fixture in each othe the last four occasions.

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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
  • Swansea City 2-0 Norwich City
    22.45 %
  • Swansea City 1-1 Norwich City
    15.31 %
  • Swansea City 2-1 Norwich City
    13.27 %
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 11 Feb 2012 Swansea City 2 - Norwich City 3
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 15 Oct 2011 Norwich City 3 - Swansea City 1
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Last Five Matches
Swansea City
13 May 2012Swansea City 1 - Liverpool 0EPL
6 May 2012Manchester United 2 - Swansea City 0EPL
28 Apr 2012Swansea City 4 - Wolves 4EPL
21 Apr 2012Bolton Wanderers 1 - Swansea City 1EPL
14 Apr 2012Swansea City 3 - Blackburn Rovers 0EPL
Norwich City
13 May 2012Norwich City 2 - Aston Villa 0EPL
5 May 2012Arsenal FC 3 - Norwich City 3EPL
28 Apr 2012Norwich City 0 - Liverpool 3EPL
21 Apr 2012Blackburn Rovers 2 - Norwich City 0EPL
14 Apr 2012Norwich City 1 - Manchester City 6EPL
Odds
Returns: Swansea City £610.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Draw £95.00 WilliamHill Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Returns: Norwich City £50.00 188bet Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game
Team News
Available Squads
1Michel VormGoalkeeper
22Ángel RangelDefender
2Ashley WilliamsDefender
4Steven CaulkerDefender
3Neil TaylorDefender
12Nathan DyerMidfielder
11Scott Sinclair Midfielder
7Leon BrittonMidfielder
51Josh McEachranMidfielder
-Gylfi SigurdssonMidfielder
10Danny GrahamStriker
25Gerhard TremmelGoalkeeper
16Garry MonkDefender
15Wayne RoutledgeMidfielder
27Mark GowerMidfielder
29Ashley RichardsMidfielder
18Leroy LitaMidfielder
19Luke MooreStriker
1John RuddyGoalkeeper
2Russell MartinDefender
22Elliot WardDefender
3Adam DruryDefender
25Kyle NaughtonDefender
11Andrew SurmanMidfielder
15David FoxMidfielder
17Elliott BennettMidfielder
12Anthony PilkingtonMidfielder
9Grant HoltStriker
10Simeon JacksonStriker
31Jed SteerGoalkeeper
20Leon BarnettDefender
4Bradley JohnsonMidfielder
7Andrew CroftsMidfielder
14Wesley HoolahanMidfielder
5Steve MorisonStriker
21Aaron WilbrahamStriker
Players to Watch
Ashley Williams
Ashley Williams
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 2
Games Goals YC RC
37 1 5 0
As highlighted, Norwich's most potent threat comes from their ability in the air, particularly in the shape of Steve Morison and Grant Holt. It is likely only one of these two will start, with Lambert likely to name three central midfielders in an attempt to stifle Swansea's creativity, but both are dangerous even when isolated.

When the two sides met earlier in the season, Williams struggled with the power and physicality of Morison, with the former Millwall man driving the Canaries to the three points, but if the Welsh defender is able to win the physical battle, Norwich are likely to be blunt in attack.
Bradley Johnson
Bradley Johnson
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 4
Games Goals YC RC
28 2 2 0
Lambert often switches around his midfield combinations, but with Swansea's ball-playing game so well publicised, it would be a remarkable display of boldness if he doesn't name three central midfielders on Saturday, with Johnson being very much at the fore.

Johnson's energy, tenacity and closing-down in the middle will be essential if Norwich hope to nullify the Swans' threat in possession, while he will need to make sure he brings the bite that riled QPR's Joey Barton back in December to intimidate Leon Britton and co.
Prediction
The stats point to a low-scoring affair at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday with the teams likely to cancel each other out. Swansea's defensive record at home is bettered only by Manchester City, but Norwich have scored only one goal less on the road than Rodgers' team have at home, while history suggests Lambert's team won't be able to pick up a win, having failed to do so in this fixture since the '60s.

A draw seems the most likely option on Saturday with the two teams so evenly matched, but considering some of the scorelines seen this season, nothing should be unexpected.
Editor's Prediction
Swansea City 1
Norwich City 1
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