Preview: Swansea City vs. Bournemouth

Two teams struggling for form will be looking to get their Premier League seasons back on track when Swansea City take on Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium this weekend.

The Swans have claimed just one victory in their last eight league games, while their opponents have also underperformed since winning promotion to the top flight.

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Swansea City

Following last season's record points haul in the Premier League, many had tipped Swansea to enjoy further success and to even challenge for a place among Europe's elite.

However, things have not gone to plan for the Welsh outfit, and after their opening 12 matches they are languishing in 14th place and are just five points clear of the bottom three.

Their season had begun with promise after fighting back twice to draw with Chelsea in a controversial encounter on the opening day, before recording a 2-1 win over Manchester United at the end of August.

Since that victory against the Red Devils they have only managed to claim one win, and Garry Monk's position as manager has come under huge threat.

The Swans boss has also not been helped by reports of a bust-up with Iceland intentional Gylfi Sigurdsson in the past week, although claims that the midfielder slammed his manager for showing a lack of communication with the players have been denied by the club.

With the transfer window fast approaching Monk will hope for the chance to make some improvements to his team, and a striker may be top of his wish list, as the Swans have scored just 12 league goals this season.

Recent form: LDLWLL

Bournemouth

Bournemouth were another team who enjoyed a huge amount of success last season as they won promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history.

Hopes were high that Eddie Howe's side could bring their positive style of play to the top flight and ruffle some feathers, but they have been unable to rediscover their Championship-winning form.

After their opening 12 games in the top flight of English football, they have claimed just two wins and have lost eight to sit inside the bottom three.

The most recent of those defeats came two weeks ago against Newcastle United, where a goal from Ayoze Perez was enough to subject them to another miserable afternoon.

They will have considered themselves unlucky not to have picked up anything from that match, though, as goalkeeper Rob Elliot produced a string of fantastic saves throughout for the Magpies.

As with Monk, Howe could also be looking at strengthening his team when the market opens in January. The Cherries have been decimated by injures to key players, including top scorer Callum Wilson, and adding some much-needed experience could prove vital to their survival.

Recent form: DLLLLL

Team News

Swansea have no fresh injury worries, but Monk may decide against naming the same team for the third successive match after back-to-back defeats.

Bafetimbi Gomis's place in the starting lineup is thought to be at risk following his recent goal drought, but the Frenchman could be given another chance by his manager.

Meanwhile, there are not expected to be many changes made by Bournemouth after the defeat to Newcastle last time out.

They are still without Tommy Elphick, Tyrone Mings, Max Gradel and Wilson, while Christian Atsu and Marc Pugh are both major doubts.

Swansea City possible starting lineup: Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Ki, Shelvey, Ayew, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis

Bournemouth possible starting lineup: Federici, Smith, Francis, Distin, Daniels, Ritchie, Gosling, Surman, Arter, Stanislas, King

Head To Head

This has been an evenly contested fixture over the years, but the two teams have never played each other in the top flight.

They were both in League One when they last met seven seasons ago, where Bournemouth ran out 2-1 winners at the Liberty Stadium.

We say: Swansea City 1-1 Bournemouth

With both teams coming into the match in poor form it is tough to predict how events will unfold in South Wales. They have both struggled for goals in recent weeks and it could be a similar story this weekend, which is why we think it will end all square.