Swansea City play host to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday afternoon looking to record their first win in the Premier League since they defeated Manchester United on August 30.
Spurs travel to the Liberty Stadium having thrashed Manchester City last weekend, and a fourth league success in a row could be enough to move the North London outfit into the top four.
Swansea City
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When Swansea overturned a one-goal deficit to beat Manchester United at the end of August, expectations in South Wales reached new heights as supporters began to consider the possibility of their team repeating a similar run of form that Southampton achieved last season when they gatecrashed the top six.
However, in the space of three games, Swansea have slipped into the bottom half of the standings, just two points off 16th place, and boss Garry Monk has a task on his hands to not only establish the club in the top half of the table, but to also convince fans that another eighth-place finish in the top flight in May should be regarded as a success.
The defeats on the road to both Watford and Southampton have made it clear that it is imperative that they earn results at the Liberty Stadium, and so far, they have kept their tally ticking over with seven points from nine, which included a goalless draw at home to Everton two weeks ago.
That said, Monk will be concerned about his team's recent displays in front of goal. Since the win over United, they have only scored one goal in all competitions, which came from the penalty spot at St Mary's last Saturday, and with their defence under-performing against the Saints, there is a clear indication that something must change on Sunday.
Bafetimbi Gomis and Andre Ayew impressed during the first three games but for the first time this campaign, they could find their starting roles under threat with the likes of the pacey Jefferson Montero and new signing Eder in reserve.
Recent form: WDWLDL
Recent form (all competitions): WWLDLL
Tottenham Hotspur
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After Spurs failed to register a win in the Premier League throughout August, the pressure began to build on Mauricio Pochettino, but the head coach has seen his side respond to their slow start with three victories in a row.
Achieving maximum points at Sunderland and at home to Crystal Palace was expected, and they were not entirely convincing during the 1-0 triumphs, but their 4-1 demolition of Manchester City has really whetted the appetite of everyone associated with the White Hart Lane club.
Spurs fell behind during the first half, but by the end of the afternoon, Harry Kane had broken his scoring drought for the club and Erik Lamela had netted just his second Premier League goal of 2015.
Both men are integral to Spurs' success as an attacking unit and while news of the team's success deservedly hit the back pages on Sunday morning, Pochettino would have taken as much joy from the fact that two of his leading men in the final third - the other being Christian Eriksen - had contributed at a time when doubts were beginning to grow regarding their impact in the side.
Despite getting on the scoresheet last weekend, Kane and Lamela will have to give some of the spotlight up to Dele Alli, who has earned a surprise call-up to the England squad despite appearing in just half-a-dozen Premier League matches.
It is a big step up for the 19-year-old, who had previously played his football in League One, but the onus will be on the former MK Dons man to justify his selection when he lines up against fellow England international Jonjo Shelvey in the centre of midfield.
Recent form: DDDWWW
Recent form (all competitions): WWWLWD
Team News
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Spurs will be without Son Heung-min for the foreseeable future after the winger suffered a foot injury against Manchester City last weekend.
Left-back Danny Rose is also a doubt after suffering a hand injury in the Europa League, meaning that Ben Davies should play against his former club.
Aside from Son's absence, Pochettino could revert to the team that beat City, but Ryan Mason and Mousa Dembele may return to the squad.
Monk has revealed that he has no injury concerns ahead of the game, but he faces several selection headaches given the faltering performances of his team.
Montero is likely to be included on the flank after coming off the bench at half time last weekend, while Jack Cork could be dropped after being hauled off at half time.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Fabianski, Naughton, Williams, Fernandez, Taylor, Cork, Ki, Shelvey, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis
Tottenham Hotspur possible starting lineup:
Lloris, Walker, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Alli, Dier; Eriksen, Chadli, Lamela; Kane
Head To Head
In 39 previous meetings between the two sides, Spurs have emerged victorious on 24 occasions, with Swansea registering a win just eight times.
Spurs have also dominated the most recent matches, with the North Londoners winning eight of the last nine matches in all competitions.
Swansea last avoided defeat to Spurs on New Year's Eve in 2011, with a late Scott Sinclair effort securing a 1-1 draw.
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Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:
We say: Swansea City 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham have come out on top in their last seven meetings with Swansea, but we are backing the home side to go some way to ending that streak. Monk's side may not have enough to secure the win on Sunday, but we feel that they could force a draw against opponents who featured in Europe on Thursday night.
Darren Plant
