Spurs v Swansea Preview (16/9/2017)

If last Sunday's defeat to Newcastle was upsetting, it's hard to consider how to feel going into Spurs away.

On one hand, it's going to be lovely to return to Wembley again!

On the other hand, an aggregate loss of 8-1 to them last season and six successive losses when travelling to Tottenham won't fill anyone with much confidence.

The team news is that Nathan Dyer, Ki Sung-Yueng and Kyle Bartley are all missing again, while Oli McBurnie travels after his loan move to Barnsley fell through.

Paul Clement has confirmed that Wilfried Bony is still not fit to start after featuring for the Under 23's on Monday - he will be on the bench on Saturday.

Clement said: "He [Bony] played 63 minutes, scored a goal and showed his leadership qualities. Now it's about getting that match sharpness."

Swans fans have been urged to back Renato Sanches despite an ineffective debut last weekend. Sanches could feature in the midfield with Leon Britton and Roque Mesa this weekend, who have been tipped to return - though Sam Clucas should also start.

Spurs will be missing Victor Wanyama, Danny Rose, Erik Lamela and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, which could limit the hosts.

Let us pray for something a little less glum this weekend. Like a Swans goal, for example.

In all seriousness, the defence has been pretty steady and a packed-out midfield could give us a bit of hope. Spurs are also a bit shaky at Wembley, though they did win midweek. I'll go for a very optimistic 1-1 draw.

Swansea vs Spurs: Safety matches (… take two)

Things didn't quite pan out as Swansea had hoped when taking on a stubborn Everton last Saturday. The 2-0 loss goes to show that... well, Swansea can't win them all (I think, deep down, we already knew that).

Onto Sunday and Swansea City, with accompanying Jack Army, will travel the simple journey to London to play a not-so-simple match against Harry Redknapp's side (hopefully not soon to be Brendan Rodgers' side as the media like to suggest!).

Swansea shared the points with Spurs at the Liberty Stadium back in December in a thrilling encounter that felt more like a win for Swansea. So we know it's not an impossible task – when you beat Man City, nothing seems an impossible task I guess – but we do know it'll be a tough one.

There are two key changes to the Swans squad this weekend, the first being a big blow in not having Spurs loanee Steven Caulker available, due to the terms of his loan. Garry Monk should slip back into the squad and do an equally fine job, but there'll be aspects of Caulker's game we will miss, especially in the air.

A more positive change is the return of Nathan Dyer after his three-match suspension. He'll be fit, fresh and dying for a game, but would his inclusion mean a place on the bench for Wayne Routledge? Routledge has been superb recently with three assists in the last two games that Swansea have won and it would be harsh to drop him. The other option is to leave out Scott Sinclair who hasn't had the greatest of seasons so far. However, I feel it's more likely that Routledge will sit this one out.

Spurs are currently fourth in the Premier League table and are looking likely to play Champions League football next season, despite a recent dip in form (they have failed to win in their last four league matches).

Aaron Lennon is likely to make and appearance after four matches out with a hamstring injury, which will be a boost to the home side, but they're likely to miss Ledley King and long-term absentees Michael Dawson and Heurelho Gomes.

This week we're lucky to have insight from top Spurs writer Dan Fitch from tottenhamblog.com, who kindly donated thoughts from a Spurs perspective:

Swansea gave us one of our toughest games this season, when we drew 1-1 at the Liberty Stadium. I knew that Swansea had a reputation for playing attractive possession football in the lower divisions, but I've been astonished at how successful it's proved in the top flight. Most promoted teams who try to play good football go straight down, but Swansea seem to have a tough core and defend well.

It's been great to see how Steven Caulker has done at Swansea and although I don't agree with the rule that on-loan players can't play against the club that owns them, I hope you miss him on Sunday. After a difficult time, we've maybe turned a corner with our results against Chelsea and Bolton. I'm expecting us to create loads of chances, miss most of them and struggle to a 1-0 win.

Despite Swansea having the option of Dyer back and Premier League survival all but guaranteed, I can't confidently predict a win for Swansea down to the inconsistency on the road. I'm feeling a repeat of December could be in store though, so I'll predict an entertaining 1-1 (at 7/1 on PaddyPower). Dan's prediction of a 1-0 win to Spurs is at 5/1.

Whatever the score, it's a game bringing two enjoyable footballing sides together in front of the Sky Sports cameras (no need for dodgy Greek cable hook-ups this weekend then!). As both Swansea and Spurs sit in first and second in the Premier League Fair Play table respectively, we can expect a clean, positive game with a lively atmosphere (which, I suspect, will be even better if Swansea win!)

---

Check out my preview for UniBet.com, where I go head to head with a Spurs fan to give my take on Sunday's game.