FA Cup | Third Round

Jan 12, 2025 at 4.30pm UK

St. Mary's Stadium

Southampton vs Swansea

Match preview

So, after they got promoted in the Championship playoffs last season, it was pretty much a given that the Saints would be involved in the battle against relegation this campaign.

But with only one win in the league and just six points from their 20 games so far this season, it looks like they'll be heading back to the Championship with each game.

Russell Martin got them promoted last season, but he got the sack after they lost 5-0 to Tottenham Hotspur at home last month. They announced Juric as his replacement just a few days later.

The new boss was at Craven Cottage to watch a goalless draw with Fulham under interim boss Simon Rusk, but the Saints have lost all three of their games with Juric in charge.

They showed some grit in narrow defeats to West Ham United and Crystal Palace, but then got battered 5-0 at home by Brentford last weekend, which shows just how tough a task Juric has ahead of him.

One of the main reasons for Southampton's struggles this year has been a lack of attacking threat, with their 12 goals in 20 matches the worst in the league.

Not only that, but they've also got the joint second-worst defensive record in the division, with 44 goals conceded and only two clean sheets in the league all season.

These stats will be a big worry for their new manager, but Juric's focus will be on getting his first win as boss, and this weekend's match is a great chance to do that.

Southampton have the worst home record in the Premier League, with just four points gained at St Mary's all season, but they'll be looking to their recent history against the Swans as a good sign ahead of this clash.

Last season, when the two teams met at St Mary's, the home side won 5-0, which helped boost Southampton's promotion hopes, and Swansea have lost their last four games against them.

But with the Saints struggling this season, the Welsh outfit will see this weekend as the perfect opportunity to claim their first win against a Premier League side in the FA Cup since 2014.

The visitors are 12th in the Championship table, six points off the playoff zone with 26 games played, and still have a shot at promotion to the Premier League.

If they want to get anything from this weekend's match, they'll need to improve their away form, which has seen them lose seven league games on the road this season.

Two of those defeats came in their most recent away matches, with strugglers Hull City and Portsmouth both claiming important victories against Swansea in their battle against the drop.

The Swans will be hoping for a much happier visit to Hampshire this weekend, having been thrashed 4-0 in that loss at Fratton Park on New Year's Day.

Even though they conceded four times against Portsmouth, the visitors have the ninth-best defensive record in the Championship, so they'll feel confident when they face a Southampton attack that's been struggling to score.

Recent Performance

Southampton form:LLDLLL

Swansea City form:LLWWLD

Team News

Jack Stephens (muscle) and Juan Larios (knock) will miss the cup clash, but are expected to be back in action soon.

Will Smallbone (hamstring), Flynn Downes (leg) and Ross Stewart (calf) are probably not going to play in this match, and Gavin Bazunu is still getting better after a long-term Achilles injury.

The visitors will be without both Kristian Pedersen and Sam Parker due to hamstring injuries.

To make matters worse for the Swans, Josh Ginnelly (Achilles) and Oliver Cooper (foot) will also miss out on the trip to Hampshire.

Possible starting lineup

Southampton possible starting lineup:

Ramsdale; Manning, Wood, Bella-Kotchap, Harwood-Bellis, Sugawara; Lallana, Aribo, Fernandes, Dibling; Archer

Swansea City possible starting lineup:

Vigouroux; Tymon, Darling, Christie, Key; Franco, Grimes, Ronald, Cullen, Peart-Harris, Bianchini