Swansea City have been warned that Sheffield United have wised up from the team beaten at home by the Swans on the opening day of the season.
Graham Potter’s reign as manager got off to a promising start back in August when his side won 2-1 at Bramall Lane.
The Blades also lost the following week – thumped 3-0 at Middlesbrough – but since then their form has picked up dramatically and they were in the top two in the Championship table until Norwich City’s Friday night victory over Birmingham.
Their manager Chris Wilder insists they have become more streetwise since the start of the campaign and Swansea will face a different challenge in the 5.30pm kick-off at the Liberty Stadium.
“We were disappointed to lose a tight game on the first day of the season,” said Wilder.
“We made a couple of poor decisions after going ahead. The defeats we’ve had, other than Middlesbrough, have been tight. We talked to the players at Christmas about improving and trying to get better during the second-half of the season.”
Potter – whose own team have been unable to build on that first day victory with consistent results and performances – can at least extend his run to five matches unbeaten if they avoid defeat which would be his longest unbeaten stretch since taking charge.
With no news signings anticipated at the club during this January transfer window, the focus continues to be on players who may leave.
Striker Wilfried Bony is now being linked with a departure to Qatari club Al-Sadd.
The 30-year-old has only played seven times in 2018-19, scoring his sole goal in Swansea’s 3-2 defeat at Hull City just before Christmas.
Al Sadd have finished runners up in the last two editions of the Qatar Stars League but are currently top of the 2018-19 table by two points from champions Al-Duhail as they look for a 14th domestic title.
Former Barcelona star Xavi and Atletico Madrid midfielder Gabi are two of Al Sadd’s overseas contingent of players.
The Swans welcome back top goalscorer Oli McBurnie, who has scored 10 goals this season, after he missed the FA Cup win at Aston Villa and the league draw at Preston last weekend through illness but is now fully fit.
Tom Carroll returned to training earlier this week following a hip injury which has kept the former Tottenham midfielder out since the end of October. But Carroll will not be risked as he continues to build up his fitness.