Preview: Swansea City vs. Stoke City - prediction, team news, lineups

The home side are in 12th spot in the standings, seven points adrift of the playoffs, while the visitors are 19th, six points above the relegation zone.

Match preview

Although Russell Martin has endured somewhat of a turbulent time at Swansea, his side went into Saturday's fixture at Blackburn Rovers on the back of three wins in seven league outings.

However, suffering a late 1-0 defeat at Ewood Park has put a negative spin on their form, Swansea now having lost three of their most recent four outings.

While the Welsh outfit can claim to still be active in the race for the playoffs, they have not posted back-to-back victories since October.

Their current form is enough to avoid becoming embroiled in any kind of a relegation battle, but it will ultimately leave Swansea falling short of their pre-season target.

Martin's team are also without a clean sheet in seven league outings, although they meet opponents in Stoke who are hit and miss when it comes to scoring goals.

Alex Neil's travelled to Blackpool on Saturday in confident mood having accumulated seven points from a possible 12, their best form since December.

Nevertheless, momentum has been lost with a 1-0 defeat against opponents who had been without success in the second tier since the end of October, a period spanning 14 games.

Despite having an FA Cup fifth-round tie with Brighton & Hove Albion on their calendar, Stoke are on the cusp of needing to fight for their status in the Championship.

Given the resurgence of the teams below them, the Potters are just six points off bottom spot ahead of trying to end a three-match losing streak away from the bet365 Stadium.

Swansea City Championship form:

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Swansea City form (all competitions):

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Stoke City Championship form:

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Stoke City form (all competitions):

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Team News

Martin will almost certainly look to name a more attack-minded Swansea side having effectively used four central midfielders at Blackburn.

Oliver Cooper, Morgan Whittaker and Liam Cullen are all in contention to feature in a role behind Joel Piroe.

Matthew Sorinola could also be restored at wing-back, with Joel Latibeaudiere and Luke Cundle among those who could miss out.

Neil will also make alterations to his Stoke XI, particularly in midfield and attack where Lewis Baker may be recalled to bring more creativity.

However, doubts remain over whether Axel Tuanzebe, Ben Pearson and Bersant Celina will come back into contention after missing the trip to Blackpool.

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Fisher; Cabango, Wood, Darling; Sorinola, Fulton, Grimes, Manning; Whittaker, Cooper; Piroe

Stoke City possible starting lineup:

Sarkic; Sterling, Jagielka, Wilmot, Fox; Laurent, Thompson; Brown, Baker, Campbell; Gayle

We say: Swansea City 2-1 Stoke City

Given the inconsistencies of both teams, this is a difficult match to call. Nevertheless, with Stoke having lost three away games in succession, we cannot back the visitors, with Swansea potentially edging this fixture by the odd goal in three.

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