SWANS V RAMS... HERE’S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW
What time is Swansea City v Derby County kick-off?
Swansea City v Derby County kicks off at 3pm today.
Is Swansea City v Derby County on TV?
Yes, the game is being broadcast live on Sky Sports.
Coverage on their Football and Main Event channels begins at 2.45pm.
What about live streaming?
Sky Sports customers will be able to live stream the game via the Sky Go app.
The game will be streamed live on SwansTV for fans in dark market regions. Lee Trundle and Anthony O’Connell will provide commentary. Season ticket holders will be able to watch the game using the viewing code they were sent via email prior to the first home fixture of the season.
You can also follow updates from the Liberty Stadium on our live blog which will be on WalesOnline’s football page from around midday.
What is the latest team news?
Swansea could well be without Andre Ayew, who suffered a slight setback on his return from injury having featured as a substitute against Reading last time out.
However, Steve Cooper has allayed fears that Ayew could miss the play-offs while confirming the attacker could yet feature against the Rams.
The Swans have no other fresh injury concerns and could give some fringe players the chance to impress given their place in the top six has already been secured.
As for the visitors, they will be without Andre Wisdom who is carrying a groin injury.
Everton loanee Beni Baningime looks set to miss the game with a hamstring problem, although he could feature for the Rams against Sheffield Wednesday next weekend.
Teden Mengi (hamstring), Lee Gregory (hamstring), Jack Stretton (calf), Krystian Bielik (knee), Curtis Davies (Achilles) and Jordon Ibe will all miss out.
What have the managers said? Steve Cooper:
“We’re only focused on ourselves.
“Never once do we worry about the opposition’s situation, regardless of the time of the season.
“There’s two games to play, we want to win both games and play well. We want to get the best out of it.
“Once we’ve done that we’ll focus on the play-offs. It’s our prerogative what team I decide to pick and the game plan etc, just like it’s everyone else’s with what they do with their team.”
Wayne Rooney: “The mindset is to try and win in any way. Performances are not the most important thing at this stage of the season, it is about trying to get the three points.
“We have to go to Swansea with the belief we can win. I believe we can, and I will have the team set up right to make sure we give ourselves the best chance.
“We know if we play our game against them then they will struggle to deal with us.
“Of course, confidence is low amongst the players when results aren’t going your way, so it is my job to lift them and make sure I do that the best I can this week.
“We have good players, and they have very good ability, so it is on me to try and make those players to play with a relaxation which will make them perform better.”
What are the latest betting odds? Swansea City win - 11/8
Draw - 11/5
Derby County win - 21/10
(Odds courtesy of The Pools, correct at time of publishing)
Pundit’s prediction David Prutton told Sky Sports:
“I can’t see Swansea taking their foot off the gas, because Steve Cooper will know it is a dangerous thing to do to let your mentality slip before the play-offs. It can be hard to get it back.
“It would have been a huge lift for Derby to see Rotherham drop points in midweek again.
“They are in woeful form, but staying up is back in their hands. I just have to back the home team here.” Prutton predicts: Swansea City 2-1 Derby County
Who is the referee?
Darren Bond will take charge of proceedings in Swansea.
The Lancashire official will be assisted by Philip Dermott and Robert Hyde, while Dean Whitestone will be the fourth official.
MATCH FACTS
■ Swansea City are winless in seven league matches against Derby County (D3 L4) since winning 1-0 in February 2010.
■ Derby County are looking to record only their second Football League double over Swansea City, also doing so in 1985-86.
■ Swansea City have picked up just eight points in their last nine league games (W2 D2 L5) - they had won 19 in their previous nine in the Championship (W6 D1 L2).
■ Derby have lost their last five league games, last losing six in a row during a run of seven between April and August 2008 under Paul Jewell.
■ Wayne Rooney’s current fivematch losing run with Derby is his worst ever losing run as a player or manager - he never lost five games in a row in 571 league games as a player with his four different clubs.