Everton v Swansea - Royston Drenthe class act | English premier League 2012
- 10 years ago
Ashley Williams is set to start for Swansea after missing last week's trip to Fulham through illness.
Wayne Routledge is likely to continue on the right wing in place of Nathan Dyer, who serves the final game of a three-match ban.
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson could return after missing the last four games with a knee problem.
But the Toffees will still be without Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Seamus Coleman (thigh).
MATCH PREVIEW
If Swansea avoid defeat this weekend they will have already reached their pre-season target of 40 points with a comfortable eight games to spare.
The pre-season favourites for relegation have barely even flirted with the possibility during an inaugural Premier League bow in which they've not only earned the right to another season in the top division, but also the utmost respect of all the other occupants within it.
From the first blast of the first whistle back in August, Swansea's motto of "possession being nine tenths of the law" was already evident as they confidently moved the ball around the Etihad Stadium for the opening half an hour as if it were they, not Manchester City, who would be the title contenders.
That they ultimately capitulated to four second-half goals perhaps gave them an ideal, if painful, early lesson which they quickly heeded. Seven months on, that 4-0 defeat still remains their heaviest this season. Their 1-0 victory against City two weeks ago will have surely given them closure.
Everton, meanwhile, will arrive at the Liberty Stadium knowing an FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sunderland is just 72 hours later and with a semi-final against Liverpool their potential prize should they win it. Saturday's match will also be their sixth in 21 days during a punishing March, which still has another three challenges for them to negotiate.
Taking all that into consideration, there will be many who feel this is an excellent opportunity for Swansea to record a first ever win against Everton.
Wayne Routledge is likely to continue on the right wing in place of Nathan Dyer, who serves the final game of a three-match ban.
Everton midfielder Darron Gibson could return after missing the last four games with a knee problem.
But the Toffees will still be without Jack Rodwell (hamstring) and Seamus Coleman (thigh).
MATCH PREVIEW
If Swansea avoid defeat this weekend they will have already reached their pre-season target of 40 points with a comfortable eight games to spare.
The pre-season favourites for relegation have barely even flirted with the possibility during an inaugural Premier League bow in which they've not only earned the right to another season in the top division, but also the utmost respect of all the other occupants within it.
From the first blast of the first whistle back in August, Swansea's motto of "possession being nine tenths of the law" was already evident as they confidently moved the ball around the Etihad Stadium for the opening half an hour as if it were they, not Manchester City, who would be the title contenders.
That they ultimately capitulated to four second-half goals perhaps gave them an ideal, if painful, early lesson which they quickly heeded. Seven months on, that 4-0 defeat still remains their heaviest this season. Their 1-0 victory against City two weeks ago will have surely given them closure.
Everton, meanwhile, will arrive at the Liberty Stadium knowing an FA Cup quarter-final replay at Sunderland is just 72 hours later and with a semi-final against Liverpool their potential prize should they win it. Saturday's match will also be their sixth in 21 days during a punishing March, which still has another three challenges for them to negotiate.
Taking all that into consideration, there will be many who feel this is an excellent opportunity for Swansea to record a first ever win against Everton.