Swansea Vs Sheffield Wed

Swansea City will be brimming full of confidence after a extraordinary 2-1 win over Premiership new boys Hull City on Tuesday evening in the second round of the Carling Cup. It is a win that has given manager Roberto Martinez a few selection headaches as he prepares to face the Owls.

Carrying the fine form from last seasons league one champions have gone four games unbeaten both in the league and cup competitions. It is that good run of form that could push Swansea into the play off places at this early stage of the season.

Meanwhile Sheffield Wednesday did not play midweek after they were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Rotherham but injury concerns have been the mainstay of Brian Laws preparations for the first meeting between the Yorkshire side and Swansea in 25 years. Laws has even expressed his worry over the state of his squad to the Star newspaper 'It worries me that we have such a paper thin squad.' Wednesday could only muster a 1-1 draw against Preston North End last match day whilst Swansea won over a lacklustre Nottingham Forest side 3-1.

Roberto Martinez:

"The visit of Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday will be very important ahead of the international break and a very demanding schedule to follow. Sheffield will be powerful, aggressive and strong in all areas. I don't know how long it will take them, but they are a club who are heading to the Premier League.'

Roberto Martinez has only one major injury concern as Federico Bessone is still a few weeks short of fitness after breaking his rib in the 2-0 first round Carling Cup win over Brentford on the 12th August.

Meanwhile Martinez has revealed that striker Gorka Pintado has been suffering with a back problem but is still playing superbly well. He's come off the bench three times this season and has already scored 2 goals.

The fans will be eager for him to start but Martinez is likely to name an unchanged side from the one that beat Plymouth last weekend.

Man Of The Moment:

Pintado has been somewhat of a revelation since his £70,000 move from Granada CF in the summer with his deftness of touch and strong frame the player known as El Toro has certainly lived up to his name.
The Spaniard has netted two goals in three appearances so far in his short Swansea City career. Jason Scotland certainly has a contender to his starting place in the 30 year old.

Owls manager Brian Laws has a few injury problems with defender Richard Hinds firmly out of the game with a fracture to his fibula.Striker Akpo Sodje is also out with knee tendon damage. Long term absentee Frank Simek is out with an ankle injury.

Midfielder Wade Small is also sidelined despite recovering from a hamstring injury whilst experienced striker Francis Jeffers is out with a groin strain.

Owls Dutch Ace:

The 26 year old Dutchman has had a superb start to the season with 3 goals already to his name the former Ajax youth product will be a threat to Swansea.

It has been 25 years since the Owls and Swans faced each other in the league at the Vetch. Astonishingly there have been only 23 fixtures between the two sides in 83 years.

In those 23 matches the Owls have come out on top with 11 wins with seven draws being played out. Swansea have only managed four wins against Wednesday.

Referee : Kevin Friend
Assistant Officials: S Knapp & M Weaver
Fourth Official:A Sainsbury
The Leicestershire official has officiated four games this season and was appointed to the national list of referees in 2003. The last Swansea game the 37 year old took charge of was the 1-1 draw at Queens Street in the FA Cup second round last season.

Vital Swansea predicts a closely fought game, a 2-1 win to the Swans.

As always, Vital Swansea will have live score updates, chat and radio commentary during the game.

Also visit the forum here for match comments at half time from the Liberty Stadium.

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