Swansea City play host to Rotherham United on Monday evening looking for the win that they will require to remain in the top half of the Championship table.
At a time when the home side sit in 12th position, Rotherham are down in 20th spot, five points above the relegation zone.
Match preview
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If the majority of Championship sides had recorded three wins in 17 matches, their respective managers or head coaches would be sacked, but Swansea have taken a different approach with regards to Russell Martin.
The Welsh club remain in mid-table, eight points adrift of the playoffs, while there is acknowledgement that the club got things wrong during the January window.
That is not to say that Martin is not under pressure, Swansea having lost four of their last five Championship fixtures with a home defeat to Stoke City their most recent setback.
In three of their last five matches, Swansea have conceded at least three goals, and Martin will be desperate to improve that statistic on Monday night.
Although the Swans have lost seven of their 16 home league encounters during 2022-23, they are facing opponents who possess one of the worst away records in the division.
Matt Taylor is another manager who has been under pressure to keep his job this campaign, winning just five of his opening 24 matches at the New York Stadium.
Nevertheless, his remit is to keep the Millers in the second tier of English football, and they sit five points clear of the bottom three thanks to an excellent 2-1 victory over Sunderland last time out.
Nine points and just two defeats have come from their most recent seven outings, providing the Yorkshire side with the foundations to kick on during an important period of the season.
However, back to that away record, one which features just two wins and 10 goals from 17 matches, while they are without success on the road in seven attempts.
Team News
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Martin must decide whether to play with a back three or four, with Harry Darling's selection likely dependent on that choice.
Olivier Ntcham is an option to come into the team, but Morgan Whittaker will retain his place in attack after netting versus Stoke last time out.
Kyle Naughton and Joel Latibeaudiere may both come into contention for recalls, particularly the former if Martin sticks with a defensive three.
With Rotherham defender Grant Hall having sustained a hamstring injury, Lee Peltier could switch to centre-back if he is deemed to have recovered from a similar issue.
Wes Harding is in line to be recalled, while Hakeem Odoffin is on standby to replace Peltier in the event that Taylor does not want to take any risks with the veteran.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Fisher; Cabango, Wood, Darling; Sorinola, Allen, Grimes, Manning; Piroe, Cooper; Whittaker
Rotherham United possible starting lineup:
Johansson; Harding, Peltier, Humphreys, Hjelde; Ogbene, Coventry, Fosu-Henry, Ferguson; Rathbone; Hugill
We say: Swansea City 2-1 Rotherham United
Given their recent results, neither team will feel overwhelmingly confident about collecting three points in South Wales. Nevertheless, we feel that Swansea are better equipped to come out on top, potentially by the odd goal in three.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
