MATCH FACTS
THE OPPOSITION
Swansea City have recovered from an autumn blip to re-establish themselves among the Play-Off contenders heading into the festive period.
Steve Cooper's first Club managerial role started superbly with The Swans taking 16 points from a possible 18 in August to lead the table heading into the first international break. However, they took just six points from their next seven league games, a run which culminated in our 3-0 win at The Liberty Stadium, to drop down to seventh.
Back-to-back wins over Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic preceded a six game winless run as Swansea entered the mid-point of this month down in 11th. Another set of back-to-back wins, this time over Middlesbrough and Luton Town, mean The Swans head to West London within striking distance of the Play-Off places.
Most of The Swans' struggles this season have been on home soil. Swansea have taken three more points (20) on the road than they have earned at home, with West Bromwich Albion the only side to register a home win against them. Despite conceding five at The Hawthorns, Cooper's men have only conceded 12 in total in 11 away matches.
THE MANAGER
Steve Cooper spent four years playing in Wales before retiring at 23 to become Wrexham's Head of Youth. A UEFA Pro Licence holder at 26, Cooper moved to Liverpool in 2008 and became Academy Manager in 2011. During his time at Melwood he worked with the likes of Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Wales international Ben Woodburn.
He moved to the FA in 2013 as a youth coach educator and coached the England Under-16s in 2014, before making the step up to under-17 level the following year. He led the Young Lions to the final of the 2017 European Championship, where they lost to Spain on penalties, but they gained revenge later in the year by coming from 2-0 down to beat the same opponents 5-2 in the World Cup final. With Graeme Potter heading to Brighton in the summer, Cooper was handed his first club managerial role after six years with the FA.
TEAM NEWS
Joel Valencia returned to the squad on Saturday after six-weeks out but Pontus Jansson missed out with a minor hip injury. That isn't expected to keep the skipper out for too long but Sergi Canos, Nikos Karelis, and Josh Clarke are definite absentees for Thursday.
Loanees Ben Wilmot and Sam Surridge are to have fitness tests for Swansea City with muscle tightness. Wales international Declan John rolled his ankle in training and is also a fitness doubt. Joe Rodon and Jordan Garrick are both definitely out.
PRE-MATCH VIEWS
🆚 Ian Mitchelmore of Wales Online previews The Swans
⚖ Andy Woolmer will be the man in charge on Boxing Day
MEMORABLE MEETING
TICKET INFO
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HOW TO FOLLOW
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