All you need to know ahead of Swansea’s clash at St Andrew’s
SWANSEA City continue their quest to reach the play-offs this evening as they take on Birmingham City.
Here’s the full lowdown on the game at St Andrew’s ....
What time is kick-off?
The match gets underway at 6pm.
Is the game on TV?
It is not on Sky, but the game will be screened exclusively live on SwansTV.
Season ticket holders who opted for access to all remaining matches as part of their refund package will not need to pay extra to watch the games. They will have been sent an access code last month.
Non-season ticket holders can watch the match for a oneoff payment of £10.
What is the latest team news?
Mike van der Hoorn is unlikely to start given that he only made his long-awaited return from a knee injury in the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday.
The defender went six months without featuring for the Swans and underwent surgery in February, although he is now set to play a part in their run-in.
However, the club’s medical staff are having to carefully manage the Dutchman given the severity of his injury. It’s highly unlikely that he would play more than a half for the Swans, but in an ideal situation, he would not be required to feature at all to give him additional time to work his way back to full fitness.
Swansea are also sweating on the fitness of Ben Cabango who was an unused substitute against the Owls due an ongoing hernia issue.
The Welshman has had the problem for the majority of the current campaign and will eventually require surgery. It remains to be seen whether or not he’ll be available to play any part at Birmingham, although he is another who needs to be carefully managed during the final weeks of the campaign.
It means Steve Cooper could once again use a 3-5-2 system, with Marc Guehi almost certain to start against the Blues following his fine efforts against Garry Monk’s Sheffield Wednesday.
Joe Rodon and Ben Wilmot remain sidelined with ankle and knee injuries respectively.
Jordon Garrick is also unavailable for the clash with Pep Clotet’s men as he serves the final game of a three-match suspension as a result of the red card he was given in the 1-0 defeat to Luton Town.
What has Steve Cooper said?
“There is not long to go now, but I think a lot will happen in the games that are left,” said Cooper.
“But we need to focus on Birmingham, we have to look after ourselves first and foremost.
“We have got to back the win over Wednesday up with another because that is so important. We have to be really committed to that. We had the chance after Middlesbrough and did not back it up.
“If we can do that then we will see where it takes us, but that has to be the focus to get to Birmingham and do our best to win the game.”
Betting odds
Birmingham City win - 15/8 Draw - 23/10
Swansea City win - 6/4 (Odds courtesy of The Pools, correct at time of publishing)
Referee
Jarred Gillett will take charge of proceedings in Birmingham.
The Australian official takes charge of the Swans for the third time this season, having also overseen the draws at Derby and Huddersfield.
He will be assisted by Richard Wild and Paul Hodskinson, while Leigh Doughty is the fourth official.
Match facts
■ Birmingham are winless in four league matches against Swansea (D3 L1) since a 3-2 away win in November 2008.
■ Swansea are looking to complete a league double over Birmingham for the first time, with this the 16th league season they’ve met.
■ Birmingham are winless in their last nine games in the Championship (D6 L3); the joint-longest current run in the competition, along with Bristol City.
■ Swansea have only won once away from home in the Championship in 2020 (3-0 v Middlesbrough in June) – no team have picked up fewer away wins this year (Hull also with one).
■ Lukas Jutkiewicz is Birmingham’s top scorer in the Championship this season (13 goals), however he hasn’t found the net in any of his last seven appearances in the competition.