Swansea City v Gillingham - Match Preview

It was the football league fixture that threw this game out for the first Saturday of the New Year but those plans were scuppered because on that day the Swans were running riot against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane whilst Gillingham watched TV. Now it's a rearranged date and a cold night at the Liberty but a jump in optimism is to be seen in Swansea despite dropping two points at home on Saturday. It can only mean a new signing.

And that new signing is Pawel Abbott from Huddersfield who goes straight into the squad for the game although he may have to make do with a place on the bench as LT10 and Bayo seem certain to keep their places. Darren Pratley stated on the weekend that he would be fit which means we can move Tatey back to right back where he looks far more effective.

Gillingham's Ian Cox is suspended but Dean Brill, currently on an emergency loan from Luton, will continue in goal.

Brent Sancho and Dean McDonald remain doubtful but Duncan Jupp should return to the squad after his wife gave birth.

It's just about four months since we lost at the Liberty and that sees us in good stead for the game tomorrow especially as Gillingham have lost 8 of their 14 on the road.

Another good stat is only 3 goals conceded in the last 6 at the Liberty whilst 12 have flown into the opposition net. With a new striker as well it sounds good don't you think

The bookies are under no illusion in what they expect tomorrow as they offer an odds on 4/6 on the Swans to secure a home win whilst Gillingham are long shots at 7/2. With the draw priced at 5/2 there just doesn't seem to be a chance for our visitors according to them.

I always believed that Bet 365 made their top goalscorers up so imagine how impressed I was to see Pawel Abbott quoted at 9/2 to score the first goal. well, at least I was impressed until the name of Rory Fallon (same odds) appeared just above it. Trundle leads the way at 7/2, with Bayo and Robbo (5/1), Craney 6/1 and Chris Jones 7/1 next in the rankings.

Just over a year ago Leon Knight made his Swans debut at home on a Tuesday night and scored a hat trick in a 3-1 victory. If you fancy Abbott to do the same then he can be backed to score first in a 3-1 win at 45/1

97 predictions to date with 89 predicting a home win tells its own story, 5 back the draw and 3 the away win. Trundle (31) leads Bayo (25) in the first goalscoring stakes.

Favourite score this time around is 2-0 with 37 votes.

Predictions for the Swans next match are as follows. You can still enter the prediction league by clicking here. A Swans shirt is up for grabs for this season's winner

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I have a theory that nobody reads this far in the match previews. so lets test that theory - whats the odds that nobody questions on the message board by decision to predict this game as a 9-0 win for Swansea. You read it here first. Or rather you didn't. Probably.