Swansea City will look to strengthen their grip on the top of the EFL Championship table when they welcome Norwich City to the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Vitor Matos’s side have responded impressively to their first league defeat of the campaign, beating Burnley and Lincoln City in their next two fixtures. Norwich, meanwhile, arrive in South Wales in desperate need of a response after three consecutive defeats and a worrying defensive collapse.
Swansea’s defeat to Southampton earlier in September threatened to disrupt what had been an excellent start, but the response has been exactly what Matos would have wanted. A 3-1 victory over Burnley was followed by a difficult but valuable 2-1 win at Lincoln City, leaving Swansea at the top of the Championship.
Their defensive record remains the foundation of that success as Swansea have conceded fewer goals than any other side in the division, although five of their six league goals conceded came during the three-match sequence involving Southampton, Burnley and Lincoln.
There is one slight concern at home as Swansea have have scored just five times there. Their ability to turn territorial dominance into goals will therefore be tested against a Norwich defence that has been extremely vulnerable.
Meanwhile, Norwich’s recent form has been almost the complete opposite and Philippe Clement’s side have lost three consecutive matches in all competitions, conceding 13 goals during that sequence. The Canaries’ last two Championship matches have both ended in 4-3 defeats, against Middlesbrough and Bolton Wanderers. On both occasions, Norwich surrendered leads, highlighting a recurring problem with game management.
Overall, Norwich have conceded 17 goals, giving them the joint-worst defensive record in the division. Perhaps most concerning is their inability to produce a clean sheet. Norwich have played 11 matches across all competitions without recording a shutout.
Their attacking record provides some encouragement as Norwich have scored six goals away from home, one more than Swansea have managed at home, so they are capable of causing problems if they can finally reduce the number of chances they concede.
This should be a fascinating contrast between Swansea’s controlled approach and Norwich’s more open recent matches. The home side are likely to dominate possession and use their 4-3-3 to create passing triangles across the midfield and wide areas. Gonçalo Franco, potentially replacing the injured Stephen Eustáquio, will need to provide enough defensive balance to allow the full-backs to advance.
The key for Swansea will be patience as the visitors have repeatedly been vulnerable when opponents attack the spaces around and behind their midfield, and Swansea should look to move the ball quickly from side to side before exploiting gaps. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Swansea City
Swansea are expected to make minimal changes after their impressive comeback victory at Lincoln. The main selection issue concerns Stephen Eustaquio, who picked up a shoulder injury while on international duty. Jay Fulton or Goncalo Franco are the leading candidates to replace him in midfield. Meanwhile, Josh Key, Cameron Burgess and Ross Stewart are expected to remain unavailable.
Swansea should retain their 4-3-3, with Lawrence Vigouroux behind Lissah, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling and Josh Tymon. Just, Stamenic and Franco should form the midfield, with Yeo, Adam Idah and Widell leading the attack.
Without Eustaquio, Swansea may lose some of their control and ball progression from midfield. Franco would offer a more conservative option, helping protect the centre while allowing the wide players to attack. The key will be how Swansea use their wingers and Norwich’s defensive problems suggest that isolating their full-backs and creating two-versus-one situations could be highly productive.
Idah can also provide a physical focal point, allowing Swansea to vary their approach rather than relying exclusively on short passing.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Vigouroux; Lissah, Welsh, Cabango, Tymon; Just, Stamenic, Franco; Yeo, Idah, Widell
Norwich City
Norwich have another attacking absence to contend with, with Mohamed Toure ruled out for the long term because of a shoulder injury. Jovon Makama or Ante Crnac are expected to replace him in attack.
Clement could also make changes further back, with Harry Darling, Sam Field and Jacob Wright all pushing for recalls as Norwich attempt to address their defensive problems. The Canaries are expected to use a 4-2-3-1, with Vladan Kovačević in goal and Jack Stacey, McConville, Darling and Chrisene forming the defence.
Kenny McLean and Mattsson should operate in the double pivot, behind Brooks, Schwartau and Musaba, with Makama expected to lead the attack.
Norwich’s first priority has to be defensive compactness and their recent 4-3 defeats suggest that the gap between midfield and defence has been too large, allowing opponents to attack the back line repeatedly. McLean and Mattsson will therefore have to resist the temptation to push too far forward simultaneously.
Norwich could benefit from a more direct approach when they regain possession. Swansea’s full-backs are likely to advance, leaving spaces in the channels that Musaba and Brooks can exploit. The visitors should also look to involve their attacking midfielders quickly rather than allowing Swansea to establish their possession structure.
If Norwich can keep the match level into the second half, their pace in transition could become increasingly dangerous.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Kovacevic; Stacey, McConville, Darling, Chrisene; McLean, Mattsson; Brooks, Schwartau, Musaba; Makama
Key Stats
- Swansea have the best defensive record in the Championship, conceding just six goals so far.
- Swansea have conceded only one goal in four home matches.
- Swansea have scored only five goals at home.
- Norwich have conceded 17 goals, giving them the joint-worst defensive record in the Championship.
- Norwich have failed to keep a clean sheet in all 11 of their matches this season, while their last two Championship games have both finished 4-3 defeats.
Player to Watch
Adam Idah
The Republic of Ireland striker should lead the line in Swansea’s 4-3-3 and could be central to their attempts to exploit Norwich’s defensive weaknesses. Idah offers Swansea a physical presence in the penalty area but is also capable of linking play and bringing the wide forwards into attacking positions. Against a Norwich defence that has conceded 17 goals and has yet to keep a clean sheet this season, his movement could be particularly important.
Norwich are likely to defend deeper than they have in some of their recent matches, meaning Idah’s ability to occupy the centre-backs and create space for Yeo and Widell could be decisive. If Swansea dominate possession, Idah will need to make his movement count rather than becoming isolated between the Norwich centre-backs.
Prediction
Swansea City 2-1 Norwich City
Swansea’s defensive record, home advantage and excellent response to their first defeat make them strong favourites. Norwich possess enough attacking quality to score, particularly if Swansea’s full-backs leave space in transition. But their defensive record is the major concern, and facing the Championship leaders away from home is a particularly difficult assignment. Swansea should control possession, create the better chances and eventually exploit Norwich’s defensive weaknesses.