The Swans look to take another step towards promotion as Walsall arrive at the Liberty - this is the Planet Swans match preview

Defeats for either side are a rarity at the moment.  The Swans have lost just once in the league since September 22 whilst Walsall have suffered just one defeat in the last 19 league games stretching back to October 20.  However, whilst the Swans have been winning games in abundance, their visitors have won just 8 of those 19 games and have drawn 10 times in that period and 13 times all season.   However, it is a series of form that has pulled them up into the chasing pack even if it is currently 12 points behind the Swans with two games in hand for the league leaders.

Walsall have been here before this season - they were despatched with some ease back in August in the first round of the Carling Cup thanks to goals from Paul Anderson and Jason Scotland whilst a little over ten days after that goals from Andy Robinson (2) and Scotland again gave the Swans all three points in the league on Walsall's home patch.

At that point many would have suggested a long hard struggle for the Saddlers but they have fought back well to push themselves into contention of at least a play off position but they will also be closely watching Doncaster in 2nd place for any slip ups.

Swansea are on the back of eight straight home league wins which stretches back to their last league defeat - against Huddersfield on November 16 and they will be in confident mood that they can make it nine on Tuesday night.   With 8 home games left this season, the fanbase is confident that if they can pick up a solid tally from those then promotion is all but guaranteed although that is never a view that will be echoed from the Liberty dressing room - at least not publically anyway.

Team news wise the Swans are without defender Dennis Lawrence who will spend 2-3 weeks on the sidelines following his injury at Crewe but Marcos Painter will return from suspension to bolster the back line.  Vice captain Alan Tate seems almost certain to deputise for Den in the centre of defence whilst Roberto seems almost certain to recall Darren Pratley to the starting line-up giving the Swans a look of

Dorus

Rangel     Monk     Tate     Painter

Britton     Bodde     Pratley

Butler     Robinson

Scotland

For Walsall, former Cardiff defender Rhys Weston - now a regular feature at Walsall - believes that his team mates have it in them to create an upset “It will be one of the hardest games of the season,” Weston said.

“Playing the League leaders on their home turf is going to be a tough prospect, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.”

Prediction wise the head and heart both say that it will become nine straight home wins for the Swans tomorrow and my guess on this one is a scoreline of 2-0 and three points nearer the season's goal.

Let's hope so anyway

Photo: Action Images

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