SATURDAY ....

CHAMPIONSHIP
SWANSEA CITY- SCUNTHORPE UNITED

Swansea are creating lots of chances (85 so far) but not really had the success, at least away from the Liberty stadium, their very attractive game has merited, at times, they are capable of passing teams to death at this level.

We talked recently about how well Scott Sinclair had fitted into the side and once again Brendan Rodgers looks to have done an amazing piece of business with 19 yo striker Frank Nouble joining from West Ham United, for an initial three month loan period. Nouble, another player known by Rodgers from his Chelsea days, has huge potential, plenty of pace and mobility and already has experience of the EPL and at international U19 level. He seems sure to get plenty of chances to showcase his skills in the Championship and I expect him to flourish at a club where he is not under constant pressure with the mood at Upton Park far from healthy at present, he can shine a little further away from the spotlight.

Swans are strong at home (100% 3-0-0 so far) and have lost just 6 of their last 49 starts at the Liberty, over two seasons which has seen circa 26% of games result in away wins in the Championship, meaning they have lost less than half the average number.

Scunny arrive on the back of a shock 4-0 road win at Sheffield United in midweek, their first start without departed boss Nigel Adkins who dropped down a division to join a "much bigger club". That highlights the predicament of the visitors, they have over achieved big time in recent seasons on very limited resources.Not only do United have a tough opponent to face this afternoon, but they are bound to be distracted by their midweek cup tie, when mighty Manchester United visit tiny Glanford Park. This is one of the biggest games in Scunthorpe's history, it is also being televised live and none of the players wants to pick up a knock today and miss out on this major opportunity to showcase their talent to a massive audience. It is hard to see them fully focused on events in South Wales and they also look set to be without two key defenders. Just 200 fans are making the difficult journey west and it is clear the game on wednesday is a priority for them and I suspect the club as a whole.

Swansea -1 ball 2.07.

Good Luck.