Preview: Preston NE vs Swansea City

After a useful two-week international break for the team, Paulo Sousa's side head to Preston North End tomorrow hoping to end their unbeaten start to the season.

After struggling with injuries and suspensions for our last game against Watford at home, Sousa has seen those problems ease with some new arrivals to add cover in key positions. Strikers Craig Beattie and Lee Trundle made their debuts a fortnight ago, Idrizaj featured in a Cup defeat against Scunthorpe while Abu Bakr and Cedric Van Der Gun could be involved tomorrow at Deepdale.

Swansea Manager, Paulo Sousa:

“We will be going there looking to come away with three points,'

'But we will be playing against a side that haven't lost yet; they are good, compact team with an impressive back line which doesn't make many mistakes.

'Preston have experience and know how to win games.

'We will also have to avoid making any mistakes if we are to succeed and need to show our quality and cause them problems.'

Preston boss, Alan Irvine:

'Swansea are a good footballing team, play from the back and make a lot of passes,'

'They have lost their manager from last season but in Paulo Sousa have someone with a similar philosophy. I think he is a good appointment for Swansea because of the type of players in their squad.

'If you play the way Swansea do, it was important they had continuity.

'That way it meant the team didn't have to be broken up.

'If a club brings in someone with a different style, you run the risk of disruption.'

Neill Collins will be looking to make his debut after joining the club on loan from Wolves. Defender Youl Mawene is hoping to return from injury while left back Callum Davidson is out with a hamstring problem.

Barry Nicholson is also sidelined with a broken leg.

The former Cardiff City player has told the press that he is looking to get one over on Swansea - they went unbeaten against the Bluebirds last season and we've won our last 5 games against Preston. I'm sure the travelling Jack Army will give him stick during the game.

Paulo Sousa will still be without defensive duo Garry Monk and Angel Rangel, who have 2 more games to serve on their suspension. Striker Gorka Pintado returns though after serving his one match ban.

Cedric Van Der Gun is available for selection, after signing on a free this week, while Abu Bakr won't feature after palying for Trinidad and Tobago in midweek.

Darren Pratley and Tom Butler are also still injured, while Joe Allen didn't feature in the Reserves squad on Wednesday, so he's unlikely to make a return.

Sousa will have some decisions to make on his first team selection. Abu Bakr and Jazz Richards are in contention to start at right back after Matty Collins' poor performance against Watford. The midfield could be unchanged as Ferrie Bodde is still on his way back to full fitness, despite playing 83 minutes in Wednesday's Reserve match. Van Der Gun could also start on the left wing but he's most likely to be amongst the substitutes.

The record £500,000 signing West Brom is most likely to start up front and he'll be looking for an improved performance and his first goal for the club.

Swansea City did the double over Preston last season, beating them 2-0 away (when Bodde scored from 40 yards) and 4-1 at home.

Preston are unbeaten so far this season, and currently stand in 6th place with 9 points, 4 more than Swansea.

Swansea City have won the last 5 games in a row against Preston, a 5-match winning run which started in 1993.

Preston's last win against the Swans was in 1991.

Head to head: Swansea wins - 18, Draws - 16, Preston wins - 18.

Eddie Ilderton

2009/10 Stats: 6 Games, 8 Yellows, 0 Reds.

Assistant Referees: Ken Haycock and Iain Siddall

Fourth Official: Andy Newell

Swansea to draw 1-1.

It's a tough game for the Swans, we're facing a team who are unbeaten in the League so far this season. We have some new players in the team to give us more strength but it'll take them a little while to settle in. A draw would be a good result for us.

Predict the score in our Prediction League here

Tuesday 15th September
Swansea vs Bristol City
7:45pm

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