Swansea v Sunderland preview: Alan Curtis set to ring changes

Swansea manager Alan Curtis will ring the changes as his side look to bonce back from defeat at Oxford when they host relegation rivals Sunderland at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday.

Curtis rotated heavily for the FA Cup defeat to League Two Oxford on Sunday and will recall the likes of skipper Ashley Williams, Lukasz Fabianski, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Andre Ayew for the crunch relegation battle.

Swansea, who are one place and two points above the bottom three, are aiming for back-to-back wins at home for the first time since August following their 1-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day.

Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce is also expected to make changes following his side's FA Cup defeat at Arsenal.

Goalkeeper Vito Mannone, midfielder Yann M'Vila and forwards Fabio Borini and Jermain Defoe are among those expected to return, while recent signing Jan Kirchhoff could be available, subject to international clearance.

Allardyce's side are also aiming for back-to-back victories in the league as they look to close to within a point of the Welsh side.

Team news

Veteran midfielder Leon Britton could make his 500th Swansea appearance as manager Alan Curtis rings the changes for the visit of Sunderland.

Jonjo Shelvey appears to have played his last game for the club as the England midfielder closes in on a £12m move to fellow strugglers Newcastle.

Sunderland captain John O'Shea faces a late fitness test ahead of the game at relegation rivals Swansea.

The Republic of Ireland defender was withdrawn during the second half in Saturday's FA Cup defeat at Arsenal due to a calf strain and will be assessed on Wednesday morning.

Boss Sam Allardyce, who has no other new injury or suspension worries, is expected to rotate his squad having made seven changes at the weekend.

Opta stats

Swansea have lost just one of their last 15 league meetings with Sunderland (W6 D8 L1). However, Seven of the last 10 league meetings between Swansea and Sunderland have ended in a draw.

Sunderland's last victory away at Swansea City in the league was back in November 1963, losing four and drawing three of their league trips there since.

Swansea have scored just 10 goals in their last 16 Premier League matches and have failed to score in nine of these games.

Defoe has scored Sunderland's goals in their last two Premier League meetings with Swansea (both 1-1 draws).

No Premier League game at the Liberty Stadium this season has seen a goal scored in the final 15 minutes - the only ground not to do so.

Just 24.5 per cent of Swansea City's Premier League passes this season have been in the attacking third of the pitch; a league-low.

Paul Merson's predictions

It's a cup final for me, a massive match. I don't know what has happened to Swansea - losing up at Oxford in the FA Cup and sliding down the league. If Sunderland beat them here, you would have to fancy Swansea getting relegated. It's a game Swansea cannot afford to lose, they're on a slippery slope. I thought Sunderland did alright at Arsenal, even though they went on to be beaten.

PAUL PREDICTS: 1-2 (16/1 with Sky Bet)

Betting

Swansea are odds-on with Sky Bet with Sunderland 4/1. The sides drew 1-1 when they met at the Stadium of Light earlier in the season and Sky Bet are 5/2 for another draw.

Sky Sports pundits Jamie Redknapp, Charlie Nicholas and Matt Le Tissier all think it will end all square, while Phil Thompson is backing Swansea to edge a 1-0 win at odds of 9/2. See all the match odds here.