Matchpack: Swansea v Hull City

 

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup will give his trio of injured strikers as much time as possible to prove their fitness ahead of Monday's Premier League meeting with Hull. Michu (ankle), Wilfried Bony (hamstring) and Alvaro Vazquez (groin) are all injured and doubtful for the clash but with few alternatives available Laudrup will hope at least one of them may pull through in time to feature. If not, the Dane may elect to again play with a 'false nine' after the tactic proved successful in the midweek win over Newcastle.
Curtis Davies is available again for Hull on Monday night. The defender missed the midweek defeat at Arsenal through suspension and boss Steve Bruce must decide whether to recall him in place of James Chester. Striker Matty Fryatt will also be hoping to figure for Hull having recently returned to the club following a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.
MANAGER QUOTES
Michael Laudrup: "We don't look at whether we win at home or away, but it's true and a little strange. A team like us should get the majority of our points at home, but we have won more games away than at home. Points are points. Now we have two home games and we really hope we can get points here."
Steve Bruce: "Defensively, we’ve been very good since I’ve been here. We’ve never scored too many goals and if you look at my defenders over the last 18 months, that’s where we’ve been strong. We never give much away and, touch wood, that will remain the case. Whatever team I’ve picked, they’ve all played a part in getting us here and helping us to make a decent start. With Maynor Figueroa, Allan McGregor and Curtis Davies added to it, they’ve certainly helped our cause.”
MATCH FACTS
Just 10 seasons ago, these sides met in the fourth tier of English football. Leon Britton featured in one of those two games for Swansea.
Hull City have won three and lost none of the last four league meetings with Swansea.
No team has benefitted from more own goals than Swansea this season (4) while two of their last five goals have come via the opposition.
Hull City have won just one of their last 31 Barclays Premier League away games (W1 D7 L23).
The Tigers have lost five of their last seven Premier League games overall (W2).
No player has hit the woodwork more than Jake Livermore this season (three times, level with Liverpool pair Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge).
The Swans have picked up more yellow cards for dissent (7) than any other team this season.
Swansea average 59.2% possession this season - higher than any other club - while only three teams have a lower figure than Hull (43.3%).
The Swans’ Spanish forward Michu has gone five Premier League games without a goal – his worst run in the competition is six games (Dec 2012 – Feb 2013).
In his first 18 Premier League games Michu scored 13 goals, but has managed only seven in the subsequent 27 matches.
MATCH ODDS
Swansea 3/4, Draw 11/4, Hull 9/2