Championship leaders Burnley will endeavour to begin 2023 on a positive note when they travel to South Wales to face Swansea City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday.
The Swans, meanwhile, will look to follow up their comfortable victory over Watford last time out with another three points as they bid to move into the playoffs.
Match preview
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Swansea ended an eight-game winless league run in emphatic fashion when they claimed an impressive 4-0 victory at home against Watford on Friday night.
Joel Piroe netted a brace while Liam Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere were also on the scoresheet in the second half as Russell Martin's men ran out comprehensive winners to end 2022 on a high.
The Swans have sneaked into the top half of the Championship table and currently occupy 12th place, but they are only two points behind Sunderland in fourth and are one of a number of teams still firmly in contention to claim a playoff place.
Swansea have fared much better on home soil in recent weeks, accumulating 16 points from their last seven matches at the Liberty Stadium compared to just four they have picked up in the same period on the road.
Indeed, the Swans have also has plenty of success in home encounters against Burnley, winning each of their last four including three by a 1-0 scoreline, and another victory on Monday could see them climb into the top six.
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Burnley have gone from strength to strength throughout the 2022-23 campaign and have established themselves as one of the firm favourites to clinch the Championship title less than 12 months after relegation from the Premier League.
The Clarets have lost only two of their 25 league matches so far this season and have won nine of their last 10 fixtures, including a slender 1-0 away victory over Stoke City on Friday night.
After a goalless first half, Josh Cullen bundled home the only goal of the game just after the hour mark to maintain Burnley's three-point cushion at the summit to Sheffield United in second place.
Indeed, Vincent Kompany's side seem to be in a two-horse race with the Blades for the second-tier title as they are currently 14 points clear of Blackburn Rovers in third.
Burnley have failed to win any of their previous five away meetings against Swansea and they have also lost five of their last six opening league games of a calendar year, but Kompany's in-form bunch will be confident of ending these streaks on Monday as they bid to consolidate their place at the top of the table.
Team News
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Swansea forward Michael Obafemi has missed the last four matches due to injury and is doubtful for Monday's fixture, while midfielder Liam Walsh is unlikely to recover in time from an Achilles problem.
Martin is set to stick with a four-man defence, with Latibeaudiere, Ben Cabango, Harry Darling and Ryan Manning shielding goalkeeper Steven Benda.
Joe Allen will be hoping to force his way into the first XI, after beginning on the bench last time out, and the veteran Welshman could replace either Oli Cooper or Luke Cundle in centre-midfield.
As for Burnley, their only injury concern is with Brazilian full-back Vitinho, who recently sustained an impact injury in training and is a doubt for the trip to South Wales.
Kompany may decide to recall in-form winger Nathan Tella, who has scored eight goals so far this season, which could see Darko Churlinov drop down to the bench.
Jay Rodriguez, who has scored five league goals against Swansea, is another pushing to start and may replace Ashley Barnes up front.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Benda; Latibeaudiere, Cabango, Darling, Manning; Allen, Grimes, Fulton; Cooper, Cullen; Piroe
Burnley possible starting lineup:
Muric; Roberts, Harwood-Bellis, Beyer, Maatsen; Cork, Cullen; Benson, Brownhill, Tella; Rodriguez
We say: Swansea City 1-3 Burnley
Both sides head into Monday's contest in high spirits, but league leaders Burnley will be regarded as strong favourites to kick-start 2023 with another victory.
Indeed, the Clarets have looked unstoppable in recent weeks and although Swansea boast a good record on home soil, we believe that Kompany and co will get the job done at the Liberty Stadium and maintain their position at the Championship summit.
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Top tip
Oliver Thomas
