By Martin Fisher
BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE
Venue: Stadium of Light Date: Saturday, 1 September KO 15:00 GMT
TEAM NEWS
Chico Flores and Wayne Routledge are both expected to overcome minor injuries and be fit to start.
New signing Ki Sung-yueng could make his debut but fellow recruit Pablo Hernandez arrived too late to be considered on Saturday.
Sunderland’s big money signings, Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher, could both be handed their Premier League debuts.
Tottenham loanee Danny Rose could make his bow, but Phil Bardsley, Wes Brown and David Vaughan remain sidelined.
MATCH PREVIEW
For reasons I won’t go into I’ve just shared a car journey with the head of the Danish PFA, who told me that all of Swansea’s Premier League games are now being shown LIVE in Denmark!
Michael Laudrup is considered a king by football fans back home so there was always going to be interest in his work in Wales, but his early success has seen viewing figures soar and brought a commitment to feature the Swans every week between now and May.
Swansea’s passing style won them many friends last season. However, frequently there was a lack of punch – even relegated duo Bolton and Blackburn scored more goals – but Laudrup has addressed that problem in some style.
Last week’s 3-0 victory over West Ham came hot-on-the-heels of their 5-0 humiliation of QPR on the opening day. It sees them sitting second in the table with the chance to go top of the top division for the first time since the heady days of October 1981 under John Toshack. For Latchford, James and Curtis read Michu, Chico and de Guzman.
While the Swans have been flying it’s been a stop-start season so far for Sunderland, with that waterlogged pitch at the Stadium of Light spoiling their chance of building on an excellent point at Arsenal. The pricey purchases of Adam Johnson and Steven Fletcher are exciting and ambitious but the signings of released pair Louis Saha and Carlos Cuellar could prove every bit as astute.
Almost a year ago to the day these sides ground out a goalless draw at the Liberty Stadium. I doubt we’ll have a repeat of that but I wouldn’t be surprised to see it finish all square. And a 2-2 scoreline should keep them glued to their TV sets in Denmark.
MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Their two meetings last season were the first since they faced each other in the 1982-83 campaign.
They drew 0-0 at the Liberty Stadium and Sunderland won 2-0 at the Stadium of Light, meaning the Black Cats were one of four teams the Swans failed to score against.
Sunderland have won only one of their last eight league games against Swansea (W1, D3, L4).
This is the 25th meeting between the sides in all competitions. Sunderland have won 12 times, Swansea six and there have been six draws.
Swansea
Only once before has a side had a better goal difference after two Premier League games than Swansea’s +8 this season (Chelsea, +12 in 2010-11).
Midfielder Wayne Routledge is already only one short of last season’s total of four Premier League assists.
Swansea have scored with eight of their 11 shots on target so far in the league this season.
Michu has scored three goals from just three shots on target.
Sunderland
Sunderland won only two of their first 14 Premier League matches last season.
They are winless in nine league matches (D6, L3).
The Black Cats have failed to score in six of their last eight Premier League games.
