Swansea City vs Hull City: Preview & Prediction

Swansea City meet Hull City at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with both sides aiming to build upon opening day victories, prior to kick-off in South Wales.

Francesco Guidolin oversaw his Swans team pick up a 1-0 win at Burnley in their first league outing last Saturday, with Leroy Fer prodding the ball home from close-range to secure three points at Turf Moor.

The triumph in east Lancashire against Sean Dyche’s newly-promoted Clarets provided a positive platform for Swansea, ahead of the weekend game with Hull, who are yet to appoint a permanent manager after Steve Bruce’s resignation in July, by instead keeping faith in caretaker boss Mike Phelan.

It was Phelan who masterminded the surprise result of the first round of fixtures, as the newly-promoted Tigers, who have just 13 fit senior players, got the better of Premier League champions Leicester City, live on the Sky television cameras on the KCOM Stadium.

Hull gained the advantage in first-half stoppage time, when Adama Diomande and Abel Hernandez both attempted spectacular overhead kicks, with Diomande credited with the goal.

Riyad Mahrez levelled from the penalty spot two minutes after the interval, before Robert Snodgrass pounced on a loose ball to thump a well-struck drive beyond Kasper Schmeichel just shy of the hour, to claim the three points for the Humberside outfit.

Swansea won the last Premier League game between the two teams in April 2015. Goals from Ki Sung-Yueng and Bafetimbi Gomis’ brace sealed a 3-1 win over their Hull counterparts.

Phelan is in caretaker charge of the Tigers – Photo: Mark Leech

Team News:

Swansea’s club-record signing, Borja Baston, is out injured with a leg muscle complaint, and Neil Taylor will not feature after a late start to pre-season, following his European Championships exploits with Wales earlier in the summer.

Icelandic midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson is set to return to the starting line-up, Sung-Yueng is also available to play, though Leon Britton is doubtful due to illness.

The Hull City duo of captain Michael Dawson and midfielder Moses Odubajo are both sidelined due to long-term knee injuries picked up in pre-season.

Defender Harry Maguire has recovered from a foot injury that forced him out of the win over Leicester, however Saturday’s fixture may come too soon for the former Sheffield United man.

Currently, Hull have just the 13 senior professionals on the books at the club, due to departures and an injury crisis which has engulfed them.

Last Season: Swansea City – 12th (47pts) Hull City – 4th (Championship, 83pts)
League Form: Swansea City – LLWWDW: Hull City – LWWLWW
Last Meeting: Hull City 1-0 Swansea City: (League Cup, September 22, 2015)
Key Men: Swansea City – Gylfi Sigurdsson: Hull City – Robert Snodgrass
Shoot Says: Swansea City 3-1 Hull City