Switch article view:Match preview Swansea host Norwich in battle of the surprise teams
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Saturday 11 February 2012 at 15:00, Liberty Stadium.
Tenth place Swansea v ninth place Norwich - who would have thought we would hear that phrase at the start of the season?
But both promoted teams fully deserve their top 10 places, though, as they have produced football which is easy on the eye for spectators and tough on the pitch for opponents, and added hugely to the Premier League as a competition.
Perhaps anticipating that managerial merry-go-round could soon swing into action, Swansea have done well to tie down highly-rated manager Brendan Rodgers on a new three-and-a-half year contract this week, and their spirits will be further lifted by a rare away win at West Brom last weekend.
Under the circumstances, it is no surprise that Rodgers is likely to stick with the same starting XI that won at the Hawthorns.
New signing from Wrexham Curtis Obeng must wait for his chance, and long-term casualties Ferrie Bodde (knee) and Andrea Orlandi (hamstring) are both absent.
There is mixed news on the injury front for visitors Norwich, with defender Elliott Ward finally available after a pre-season knee injury, but Daniel Ayala and Zak Whitbread both having limped out of the 2-0 win over Bolton last weekend.
Ayala, only just back from injury, faces another four weeks on the sidelines after tearing his hamstring and Whitbread also damaged a hamstring, although not as severely, so he could feature.
If necessary Ward, Russell Martin or Leon Barnett could fill the hole in central defence.
Listen to our football experts Russ Williams, Jim Proudfoot and Ian Wright for a look ahead to the weekend's games in Friday's edition of Ian Wright's podcast.
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