Preview: Burnley vs Swansea City

Swansea City travel to Burnley tomorrow looking to prove a point after a poor run of results away from home.

Brendan Rodgers' side have lost their 3 away games - all against sides in the bottom half of the League - two in the relegation zone while tomorrow they face a side with an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

Our last win away was on 22nd February, when Stephen Dobbie scored the crucial goal in a tough 1-0 win at Coventry City.

The Swans have been at their best when playing against their promotion rivals at home, beating Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Norwich City recently - scoring 3 goals in each but we stuttered on Tuesday night as we found it difficult to break down a defensive Hull City side in the 1-1 draw.

Tuesday's point mean we drop to 4th, still a point behind Norwich City who also drew but 2 behind Cardiff City after they won at Sheffield United.

Burnley have struggled in recent games which has seen their play-off hopes drop considerably as they're now 7 points adrift of 6th place. With no wins in 6, Burnley will be looking to get back to winning ways to resurrect their slim play-off hopes.

Rodgers:

"Burnley are going through a difficult run and, when you play teams who are out of form, it`s important to get the first goal,"

"We didn`t start well at Derby or Preston. We gave both those sides something to build on and to protect while we gave ourselves a mountain to climb.

"We have to look to get a win at Burnley. There are only five games to go and, while I wouldn`t say it`s a must-win, it`s a can-win game.'

Eddie Howe:

'It can still be done. These two home games are going to be absolutely crucial but, although it sounds silly, we are not really looking at the end of it. We are looking at trying to win a game.'

From Vital Burnley:

Marvin Bartley is of course suspended following his straight red card against Forest in midweek and we await news of our leading goal-scorer, Jay Rodriguez who picked up a thigh injury and did not play at the City Ground.

Chris McCann could be close to a recall. He has played in three recent Reserves games after a 14 month break from competitive action following corrective surgery on his cruciate ligament. McCann scored his first goal at Turf Moor in over two years as he completed a full game since beginning his comeback against Macclesfield Reserves on Monday night. He scored the opening goal in the second-string`s 2-0 victory.

Martin Paterson has also stepped up his training following a recurrent thigh strain and there is still an outside chance he could feature at some point before the end of the season but the Swans game looks too early. Charlie Austin is out for the rest of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

From Vital Burnley:

It has just simply not been happening for the on-loan Villa striker but you just sense he is going to get on the score-sheet again before the end of the season. He has just one goal so far scored in his debut match away to Hull City last month.

Brendan Rodgers has no new injury concerns and he could name an unchanged side for the 2nd consecutive game if we wishes to. It's unlikely though as he usually makes a few changes for away games. The likes of Pratley, Britton, Priskin, Beattie and Moore etc will all be hoping to feature.

The loanee has 3 goals to his name after 4 games, and has looked a big threat for us so far, but hasn't quite been as successful in away games as he has at home. Hopefully the Italian can increase his goal tally further at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon.

Burnley haven't won in the last 6 and haven't scored in the last 2 games - but conceded 6.

Swansea City haven't won away since February 22nd.

Burnley are 12th, 7 points behind a play-off place, while the Swans are 4th, 2 points behind Cardiff in 2nd.

Yet another tough game for the Swans and it's another test of our quality away from home - which hasn't been great recently. We've struggled against teams near the bottom of the League, but how will we cope against mid-table opposition? I'm going to predict a loss, I've been wrong too often lately so hopefully I'm wrong again!

Saturday 23rd April
Portsmouth vs Swansea City
3pm

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