Played
March 9, 2013 3:00 PM GMT
The Hawthorns — West Bromwich
Referee:‬ L. Mason‎
Attendance:‬ 24832‎
 
Luke Moore 33′
61′ (OG) Jonathan De Guzmán
 

West Brom - Swansea Preview: League Cup winners look for strong finish against European hopefuls

This Premier League season's two surprise packages clash as rumours over both managers' futures continue, with a Europa League place still an achievable aim for either club

By Jan Kapcia

Michael Laudrup, Swansea City manager
Getty
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WEST BROM


Foster
Reid, McAuley, Olsson, Ridgewell
Mulumbu, Yacob
Dorrans, Morrison, Brunt 
Lukaku

SWANSEA CITY

Vorm
Rangel, Bartley, Williams, Davies

Dyer, De Guzman, Ki, Britton, Pablo
Michu

West Brom manager Steve Clarke can welcome back Romelu Lukaku, eligible again after missing out against his parent club Chelsea last weekend, but fellow striker Shane Long (ankle) faces a race against time to be fit.

Chris Brunt looks set to play, shaking off the injury (ankle) that saw him miss the trip to Stamford Bridge. Steven Reid, Claudio Yacob and Jonas Olsson have also been declared fit despite doubts.

Goran Popov is available again following his three-game suspension for his red card for spitting against Spurs, but the Baggies boss may stick with left-back Liam Ridgewell. Out-of-favour Peter Odemwingie should make an appearance from the bench.

Michael Laudrup has no fresh injury worries following the victory at home to Newcastle last weekend, the match only coming too soon for long-term absentees Chico Flores and Neil Taylor (both ankle).

  DID YOU KNOW?
  • Seven of West Brom's last eight Premier League wins have seen them score two goals each match.

  • The Baggies have won only four of the 21 Premier League games they've played in March.

  • Romelu Lukaku (pictured right) is the highest-scoring teenager in the top five European leagues this season, with 12 league goals.

  • West Brom boast the best home record outside of the top six, with 26 points from 14 games.

  • Steve Clarke's men have conceded ten goals in all competitions in the last ten minutes of matches this season while Swansea have scored 15 goals in the same period.

  • The Baggies have lost the last three matches against Swansea.

  • The Swans have lost just two points from leading positions this season, the best record in the top division.

  • Nearly exactly two years ago, (March 5, 2011) West Brom beat newly crowned League Cup winners Birmingham City 3-1, and went on to have a strong finish to the season after Roy Hodgson's first win in charge of the Baggies.



Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
Head to Head
Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 9 Mar 2013 West Bromwich Albion 2 - Swansea City 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 28 Nov 2012 Swansea City 3 - West Bromwich Albion 1
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 4 Feb 2012 West Bromwich Albion 1 - Swansea City 2
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Premier League ‎(EPL)‎ 17 Sep 2011 Swansea City 3 - West Bromwich Albion 0
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Last Five Matches
Odds
Returns: West Brom £23.00 PaddyPower Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Returns: Draw £190.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Returns: Swansea City £5010.00 Bet365 Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Team News
Available Squads
1Ben FosterGoalkeeper
3Jonas OlssonDefender
6Liam RidgewellDefender
23Gareth McAuleyDefender
28Billy JonesMidfielder
5Claudio YacobMidfielder
7James MorrisonMidfielder
11Chris BruntMidfielder
17Graham DorransMidfielder
21Youssouf MulumbuMidfielder
36Romelu LukakuStriker
13B. MyhillGoalkeeper
20Goran PopovDefender
30Sebastien Gabriel TamaşDefender
14Jerome ThomasMidfielder
8Markus RosenbergStriker
24Peter OdemwingieStriker
32Marc-Antoine FortuneStriker
1Michel VormGoalkeeper
6Ashley WilliamsDefender
16Garry MonkDefender
22Ángel RangelDefender
33Ben DaviesDefender
11Pablo HernándezMidfielder
15Wayne RoutledgeMidfielder
20Jonathan De GuzmánMidfielder
24Sung-Yong KiMidfielder
9MichuMidfielder
19Luke MooreStriker
25Gerhard TremmelGoalkeeper
2Kyle BartleyMidfielder
21Dwight TiendalliDefender
12Nathan DyerMidfielder
14Roland LamahMidfielder
27Mark GowerMidfielder
17Itay ShechterStriker
Players to Watch
Liam Ridgewell
Liam Ridgewell
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 6
Games Goals YC RC
30 0 6 0
Liam Ridgwell has received praise from manager Steve Clarke for his recent form and is always a danger from set-pieces, which Swansea have struggled to defend this season - conceding a record 12 goals from such situations.
Michu
Michu
Position: Midfielder
Squad Number: 9
Games Goals YC RC
35 19 6 0
Michu has scored 41 per cent of Swansea’s goals this season, 15 in the Premier League and 19 in all competitions, and opened the scoring in the 3-1 win earlier this term.
Prediction

West Brom's strong home form and Swansea's neat passing approach will prove an intriguing encounter, but with just four wins from 14 away games the Swans are not as intimidating on their travels. Romelu Lukaku notched twice in his last game for the Baggies - after being ineligible to face parent club Chelsea - and he may well prove to be the difference again.

Editor's Prediction
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Robin van Persie Robin van Persie
Striker
Manchester United
26 3
Luis Suárez Luis Suárez
Striker
Liverpool
23 0
Gareth Bale Gareth Bale
Midfielder
Tottenham
21 0
C. Benteke C. Benteke
Striker
Aston Villa
19 3
Michu Michu
Midfielder
Swansea City
19 0