The past couple of seasons have seen Swansea City struggling to stay in the Premier League. They have managed to survive but it’s been their home form that has played a major factor in that achievement. Sadly this season they are again in relegation trouble, starting the weekend one from bottom in the table. The problem is that home form isn’t helping them this time around with just three points from six games to date.
The Welsh side have lost their last four league games since a 2-0 home win over Huddersfield Town. What is even more worrying for the Swans is that at home they still have most of the top teams to host with only Manchester United having paid a visit so far, this season. Goals are a massive problem for Swansea with just seven scored in twelve league games. A lot of pressure is being placed on Tammy Abraham to get them out of trouble, but he’s still only scored in one league goal since September and he was stretchered off with a back injury in the 2-0 defeat at Burnley.
These woes leave Swansea manager Paul Clement in danger of losing his job. Hardly surprising after a run of six defeats in the last seven league games and a single win in the last six home league games. Just four goals have been scored at home in the Premier League this season and Abraham has three of those, so they can’t afford to see him out injured. With Chelsea and Manchester City in the next four fixtures after this game, Swansea need to get some points on the table.
Bournemouth arrive in Wales in top form with three wins in their last four league games, one more than their opponents have managed all season. It’s been a bit of a worrying start for the south coast side who found themselves in the bottom three after a poor couple of months.
Those three wins in four games have taken the Cherries out of the bottom three and they start the weekend in 13th place. Goals have been a problem for them with Jermaine Defoe yet to start scoring consistently as he has with his other clubs in the past. The answer may have been found though with long-term injury Callum Wilson back fit. He showed just how important he is to the team with a hat-trick in the convincing 4-0 home win over Huddersfield Town.
Bournemouth have already won two of their away league games, gaining victories at Stoke City and Newcastle United. They often struggle to keep clean sheets on the road and they will be without Simon Francis who was sent off against Huddersfield Town. With this game being followed by home matches against Burnley and Southampton and then a visit to Crystal Palace, Bournemouth know they have a chance to get to Christmas in a strong mid-table position.
Conclusion
Swansea have a whole host of problems coming into this game. A whole group of losses, a lack of goals, poor home form and worries over the fitness of their top striker are all extremely worrying. Bournemouth were in a similar position a few weeks ago but have picked up well in recent weeks and the return of Callum Wilson is vital for them. They have already won two away games and have a great chance here of making it three.
The Key Stats
Last Five Premier League Results – Most recent first
Swansea City – LLLLW
Bournemouth – WWLWL
Head to Head – Last Five League Meetings
18/03/17 – Bournemouth 2 Swansea City 0
31/11/16 – Swansea City 0 Bournemouth 3
12/03/16 – Bournemouth 3 Swansea City 2
20/11/15 – Swansea City 2 Bournemouth 2
05/04/09 – Swansea City 1 Bournemouth 2
- Swansea City have lost their last four Premier League games.
- Swansea City have only won one of their six home league games this season, losing five of them.
- Swansea City have conceded in each of their last five league and cup games.
- Bournemouth have won three of their last four league games.
- Both teams have scored in six of the last eight games between these two sides.
- Bournemouth have won their last two away league matches.