Despite all the chaos caused by the snowy weather this week, Swansea vs Ipswich will go ahead barring any concerns to the supporters safety this weekend. The following is taken off the Swansea City official site: ‘There is no danger of this game against Ipswich being called off. The Liberty Stadium surface is in perfect condition and the surrounding roads are fine. Ipswich Town have also arrived in the area safely.’
From the Dugouts:
Last season, opposing manager Roberto Martinez led City to the League One title in his first full season in charge. He was previously a player for Swansea, although he played for them at their former home, Vetch Field. The Spaniard is pleased with how his squad have coped with the loss of key players Ferrie Bodde and Marcos Painter to injury this season: “We came through when we lost people like Ferrie Bodde and Marcos Painter and I know that whoever comes in will be ready to cope. We have a very good squad in terms of mentality and the quality is there.’
He is looking forward to a proper footballing encounter between two passing sides: “Ipswich are like us in that they treat the ball well and they like to win games through their attack. They are a footballing side. We had a great game to watch when we went to them earlier in the season and both sides are in a better moment of form now.
‘I expect them to come at us and that should make for a fantastic game.”
Meanwhile, Town boss Jim Magilton was full of praise for Martinez’s men. He told the club site: ‘Swansea have adapted to life in the Championship very easily after taking the step up this season. Their players are comfortable with that system and Roberto Martinez has done a great job there.
‘They have lost only one at home so that shows you the task we have ahead but our record away from home has been good this year and we will be going there to win the game.
‘We had to turn our away form around from last year and we have managed that. We were getting beaten too easily but the staff and the players have worked hard to get it right and the results have come.
‘We had a couple of good away wins early on and confidence starts to grow and it’s gone on from there. We are now in a position where we can go anywhere and not be intimidated.’
Jim is not wrong, Roberto Martinez plays an attractive brand of football and I wouldn’t mind seeing him in charge at Portman Road one day. Martinez was winner of the Championship Manager of the Month award for January, pipping Town’s Jim Magilton to the gong after his side picked up three wins and one draw in the month, as well as knocking out FA Cup holders Portsmouth away.
Swansea City Team News:
Full-back Angel Rangel is out of the game with Ipswich after picking up his fifth booking of the season, and with it, the mandatory one-match ban that comes with it. Albert Serran is a name that not many would Swansea fans have heard of, because after making a move from Espanyol in the summer, he is yet to appear in the league. However, he is set to replace Rangel at the back against the Blues.
Darren Pratley, Marcos Painter, Ferrie Bodde and Matt Collins are long-term injury victims and will miss out once more, while Andrea Orlandi faces a late test on his fitness after sustaining an ankle knock. Nathan Dyer missed Swansea’s win at Southampton last week because he is on-loan from the Saints and was ineligible to face them.
Dorus De Vries will be in goal for the home side, and they are unlikely to name a keeper on the bench because the Football League ruled that Dimi Konstantopoulos’ move from Coventry did not go through before the end of the transfer window.
Player to watch: Jason Scotland
Previously linked with Town, Scotland has been in fine form this season. He has scored 13 times in the league and once in the cup and will pose a massive threat to the Ipswich defence.
Ipswich Town Team News:
New signing Luciano Civelli is in the Blues traveling party, and could be named as a substitute although he hasn’t played a competitive game for nearly two months. Earlier in the week, manager Jim Magilton urged the Ipswich fans be patient with the Argentine youngster.
Richard Wright will be between the sticks after another solid display against Plymouth. The back four of Alex Bruce, David Wright, Pim Balkestein and captain Gareth McAuley are set to be unchanged from recent games after forming a decent partnership. Ivan Campo is set to return to training next week following a thigh injury, Moritz Volz could also return to action pretty soon following a groin problem but the Swansea game has come too soon for the German.
In midfield, David Norris was substituted against Plymouth after a quiet display on the left of midfield. Alan Quinn could be recalled, meaning Norris switches into the centre. Tommy Miller, who has started a number of games recently, is in competition with Norris, Owen Garvan and Veliche Shumulikoski for a start with Jon Walters likely to be on the right.
Kevin Lisbie has been one of the better players away from home that sees the Blues with the fourth best away form in the league. Jon Stead scored his first two away girls in Town colours away at Barnsley nearly two weeks ago, and should continue up front after an impressive performance against the Pilgrims last weekend.
Player to watch: Jon Stead
I fancy Town’s top scorer to bag a goal or two against the Swans after netting his first away goals for the Blues in their last away game.
Match Facts & Stats
City have lost just the once at home this season and are ninth in the league, two places above Town while Ipswich are chasing their fourth straight away win.
Town didn’t have a game in midweek after Nottingham Forest replayed their FA Cup fourth round tie with fierce rivals Derby County. Meanwhile, Swansea taught play-off chasing Preston North End a lesson after beating the Northerners 4-1 at home.d.
Swansea City: DWWWD
Ipswich Town: DWWDW
Ipswich have beaten Swansea a total of nine times (one away from home), drawn seven (four) and lost eight (five).
Swansea visited Portman Road with many expecting an Ipswich win after the international break. It wasn’t to be as the Swans snatched a 2-2 draw thanks to goals from Ferrie Bodde and Jordi Gomez.
Ref Watch:
Kevin Wright will officiate this one.
Match Prediction:
I have already said that I fancy Jon Stead to bag a goal or two, as I fancy Jason Scotland to do for Swansea. It should all make for an interesting afternoon, but I think that the Blues could become only the second team to win at the Liberty Stadium this season. I am being brave, but I think we will win 3-2!
Up Next…
…Ipswich take on Nottingham Forest at Portman Road on Wednesday 18th February with a 7.45pm kick-off. No game next weekend because of the international break, but full ticket details for the Forest game available on the Town website here.
