Premier League: Swansea host Newcastle United at the Liberty Stadium
By Follow me @danielstorey85. Last Updated: March 1, 2013 12:20pm
Papiss Cisse: Scored both goals in the corresponding fixture last season
Swansea City return to Premier League action as they host a resurgent Newcastle side looking to break into the top ten for the first time since November.
Michael Laudrup's side won their first major trophy last Sunday, brushing aside League Two Bradford City 5-0 in the Capital One Cup final at Wembley and, with Premier League survival ensured, will aim to push towards a top-six place.
Swansea finished 11th last season, and Laudrup has targeted a top-half finish, so he will want to guard against any complacency after their trophy win.
However, with January signings invoking an upturn in form, Newcastle once again look a dangerous prospect on the road.
The Magpies have taken nine points from a possible 12 as they have moved six points clear of the relegation zone.
Their fans are now looking up rather than down, and a victory would take Newcastle to within four points of their opponents.
One Swansea tactic has also been confirmed this week - Jonathan de Guzman has been chosen as the club's first-choice penalty taker after the rather unseemly debate between the Dutchman and Nathan Dyer during the Capital One Cup final last Sunday.
Swansea
Michael Laudrup is set to return Ki Sung-yueng to his regular midfield role for the meeting with Newcastle.
The Korean played at centre-half in the Capital One Cup final win over Bradford, but Kyle Bartley or Garry Monk will partner Ashley Williams against the Magpies.
Michel Vorm is likely to return in goal if he can shake off the flu while Neil Taylor is getting closer to a return from a broken ankle.
Newcastle
Newcastle could be without captain Fabricio Coloccini after the Argentinian hurt his back during Sunday's 4-2 win over Southampton.
He is struggling to be fit, so January signing Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa could take over at the back.
Goalkeeper Rob Elliot will continue to deputise for Tim Krul, who is expected to be sidelined for up to five weeks by the ankle injury he suffered at Metalist Kharkiv, while winger Hatem Ben Arfa may travel despite being short of match fitness.
Opta Stats:
- The Swans have lost just two points from leading positions this season, the best record in the top division
- The Swans have won none of the 14 games they have fallen behind in this season. However, they have managed to avoid defeat in six.
- No team have used more players in the Premier League this season than Newcastle United (29
Previous game's starting line-ups
4-5-1
-
1
Vorm
-
22
Rangel
-
4
Chico
-
6
Williams A
-
33
Davies
-
11
Hernandez
-
7
Britton
-
15
Routledge
-
20
de Guzman
-
12
Dyer
-
9
Michu
Team taken from Swansea vs Fulham (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
4-4-2
-
37
Harper
-
26
Debuchy
-
27
Taylor S
-
2
Coloccini
-
13
Yanga-Mbiwa
-
10
Ben Arfa
-
4
Cabaye
-
24
Tiote
-
18
Gutierrez
-
11
Gouffran
-
9
Cisse
Team taken from Newcastle vs Arsenal (Barclays Premier League) on Sunday 19th May 2013
Latest Poll
Matches
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Barclays Premier League
Table
Barclays Premier League
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Aston Villa | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Cardiff City | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Crystal Palace | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Everton | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Fulham | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Hull City | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 11 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Norwich City | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Southampton | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | Sunderland | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Swansea City | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | West Bromwich Albion | 0 | 0 |
| 20 | West Ham United | 0 | 0 |
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Late goal disappoints Pardew
A late goal by substitute Luke Moore was enough for Swansea to beat Newcastle 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium.
