Seeking to pick up their first win of the season and finally get their Championship campaign up and running, Luton Town visit South Wales to face Swansea City on Saturday.
The Swans, who have failed to taste victory at home in six consecutive league games, claiming four draws and losing twice, will be looking to give their fans something to cheer about this weekend.
Match preview
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Swansea City failed to pick up their first set of consecutive victories in the Championship since April as they were held to a disappointing 2-2 draw by Millwall on home turf last Tuesday.
After holding a comfortable two-goal lead for most of the game courtesy of first-half goals from Ryan Manning and Michael Obafemi, the Swans imploded at the defensive end of the pitch as Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood-Gordon both scored injury-time own goals to hand the Lions a point.
Prior to that, Swansea kicked off their season winless in their opening three games — a run which saw them crash out of the EFL Cup on August 9 when they were beaten on penalties by Oxford United — before claiming a 1-0 victory over Blackpool last Saturday.
Russell Martin's men have now failed to taste victory in any of their last six home games in the league, picking up four draws and losing twice since a 2-1 victory over Derby County back in April.
While they will be looking to end this dry spell, their next task sees them go up against a Luton Town side who they failed to defeat in both home and away fixtures last season, claiming a 3-3 draw in September before losing 1-0 in the return fixture on February 1.
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Nathan Jones's men were left empty handed once again as they were on the receiving end of a 2-0 defeat against 10-man Bristol City at Ashton Gate on Tuesday.
In a game where Mark Sykes received his marching orders, Nahki Wells and Tommy Conway both found the back of their net within the opening half hour to hand the Robins their first win of the season.
Prior to that, Luton were beaten 3-2 by Newport County in the opening round of the EFL Cup on August 8 before returning to the Championship five days later where they suffered a 1-0 home loss against Preston North End courtesy of Brad Potts's solitary strike.
The Hatters now head into the weekend on a run of three defeats from their most recent four competitive away games — scoring once and shipping 11 goals in that time — with a 1-1 draw against Burnley on August 6 being the only exception.
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Team News
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Swansea City will take to the pitch without the services of 24-year-old midfielder Liam Walsh, who has been out of action since March through an Achilles tendon rupture.
Versatile midfielder Joel Latibeaudiere came off with a game-ending injury inside the opening 20 minutes against Millwall last time out and is out of contention for the Swans.
In his absence, Matthew Sorinola will push for a return to the starting XI, where he should team up with Joe Allen, Matt Grimes and Ryan Manning at the centre of the park.
Thirty-year-old Jamie Paterson is also set to sit out his fourth consecutive game after coming off with a groin injury in the game against Blackburn Rovers on August 6.
As far as Luton Town are concerned, veteran goalkeeper James Shea will play no part in this weekend's matchup after the 31-year-old sustained a knee injury back in April.
The Hatters have a worrying midfield crisis as the trio of Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu (knee), Alfie Doughty (thigh) and Fred Onyedinma (muscle) all continue their spells on the sidelines.
Jones will also be unable to call upon Irish defender Glen Rea as the 27-year-old continues his long journey to full fitness after picking up a severe injury back in March's game against Wigan Athletic.
Swansea City possible starting lineup:
Fisher; Cabango, Naughton, Darling; Sorinola, Allen, Grimes, Manning; Ntcham, Piroe, Obafemi
Luton Town possible starting lineup:
Horvath; Lockyer, Osho, Burke; Bree, Freeman, Clark, Campbell, Bell; Morris, Adebayo
We say: Swansea City 2-1 Luton Town
Following Tuesday's disappointing result, Swansea will head into the weekend looking to deliver an immediate response. The Swans take on a floundering Luton Town side who are yet to find their feet this season and we are backing them to come away with a slender victory in front of the home crowd.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joshua Ojele
