EFL Championship | Gameweek 43

Apr 18, 2025 at 3pm UK

Swansea.com Stadium

Swansea vs Hull City

Match preview

Swansea City kick off an Easter weekend double-header on Friday and will be looking to continue their good form as the Championship season draws to a close after a run of form in recent weeks saw them move into the top half of the table.

The Welsh side went into the March international break 16th in the table with 44 points from 38 games, having taken seven points from their opening five games under caretaker boss Alan Sheehan following the departure of Luke Williams.

However, the Swans have returned from the break in style, going unbeaten in their last four matches, winning their last three, and following a creditable draw at promotion-chasing Leeds United with home wins over Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.

A trip to fourth-placed Sunderland followed on Saturday and, for the first time this season, they picked up three points in a row when Ben Cabango scored the only goal on the hour mark.

Now 12th and just two points outside the top 10 with four games remaining, Swansea City will be looking to extend their winning run over the Easter weekend, starting with a third successive home win on Friday.

Standing in their way will be a visiting side who are desperate for three points to help their survival bid, having climbed out of the bottom three in recent weeks.

Having won two and drawn two of their final four games before the March international break, Hull City's return to action saw them defeated by fellow relegation battlers Luton Town, leaving them in a precarious position just above the drop zone on 41 points from 39 games.

The Tigers bounced back from that disappointment with a crucial 1-0 win away at Sheffield Wednesday thanks to Charlie Hughes' stoppage-time strike, but they were unable to build on that result in their trip to Watford, going down 1-0 at Vicarage Road.

Ruben Selles' men then hosted play-off chasing Coventry City on Monday, and after going 1-0 down to Matt Grimes' opener in the final 10 minutes, they at least managed to claim a share of the spoils as Abu Kamara forced a 1-1 draw.

Now sitting 20th in the second tier, two places and three points above the drop zone with four games remaining, Hull City head to South Wales looking to take a big step towards safety with an away win on Friday before welcoming Preston North End to the MKM Stadium on Monday.

Recent Performance

Swansea City Championship form:LLDWWW

Hull City Championship form:WDLWLD

Team News

Alan Sheehan could name an unchanged Swansea City starting XI from last week's win over Sunderland, with Kristian Pedersen and Myles Peart-Harris still sidelined through injury.

Zan Vipotnik will be hoping to lead the line from the start, but Liam Cullen, who has scored 10 Championship goals so far this season, could get the nod instead.

Ji-sung Eom, Lewis O'Brien and Ronald should continue to provide support behind a lone striker, while Jay Fulton and Goncalo Franco will hope to team up again in the engine room despite competition from Joe Allen and Oli Cooper.

Hull City will travel to South Wales without defender John Egan, who picked up a knock in Monday's draw with Coventry City, while Eliot Matazo, Mohamed Belloumi, Louie Barry and Liam Millar remain sidelined through injury.

If Egan is unavailable, Alfie Jones will return to partner Charlie Hughes in the heart of the back four, while Sean McLoughlin returns on the left.

Abu Kamara, Nordin Amrabat, Matt Crooks and Mason Burstow will all battle for places in attack, with the former scoring his fifth goal of the season off the bench last time out, while Joe Gelhardt, Kasey Palmer and Lincoln will support lone striker Joao Pedro from the start on Monday.

Possible starting lineup

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Vigouroux; Key, Cabango, Darling, Tymon; Franco, Fulton; Ronald, O'Brien, Eom; Cullen

Hull City possible starting lineup:

Pandur; Coyle, Jones, Hughes, McLoughlin; Slater, Alzate; Gelhardt, Crooks, Kamara; Pedro