Swansea City will play in the Championship for the first time since 2012 after their stuttering campaign in the Premier League last season. Graham Potter’s men will be eyeing an immediate promotion back to the top flight, but it’s not going to be easy.
Potter operates with an unconventional yet fluidic game plan and how he manages to make this team stick together and perform as a unit will play a key role in his side’s ambitions this season.
The Swans are due to start their new campaign against a strong Sheffield United side on Saturday at the Bramall Lane.
So far this summer, Swansea City have managed to sign Bersant Celina, Joel Asoro, Barrie McKay, Yan Dhanda and Jordi Govea. However, the Wales-based outfit have lost some of their key players from last season as Lukasz Fabianski, Roque Mesa, Kyle Bartley and Andre Ayew have all departed the club.
The likes of Jordan Ayew and Alfie Mawson are expected to depart and that could deplete their squad further. Despite their new signings, they still have an unbalanced squad and some more work is required to be done for them to challenge for the promotion spots.
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Mike van der Hoorn is available for selection this weekend after his groin injury against SC Freiburg, while Martin Olsson is also in contention after returning from Sweden’s World Cup campaign.
Celina and McKay are also expected to feature but Sam Clucas and Leroy Fer are unavailable as they are nursing injuries. Wilfried Bony is expected to stay in South Wales following the passing of his father.
Here is how we expect Potter to roll out his starting line-up against Chris Wilder’s men.
Predicted Swansea City lineup
Defence
Kristoffer Nordfeldt is likely to start under the bar. Federico Fernandez and van der Hoorn are expected to take their place at the heart of the defence. Olsson and Kyle Naughton will provide the width in the fullback areas.
Midfield
New summer signing Bersant Celina could operate as the central attacking midfielder this weekend, with the duo of Tom Carroll and Jay Fulton likely to complete the midfield set up.
Attack
McKay is expected to start on the left flank, with Luciano Narsingh set to feature on the opposite flank. Joel Asoro could lead the line this weekend and will hope to impress on his league debut for the Welsh side.
