Premier League preview: Swansea v Norwich

6 December 2012 08:56

Promoted together in 2011, Swansea and Norwich are both in good form ahead of their Premier League clash on Saturday.

The Welsh club have gone seven matches unbeaten in all competitions, while Norwich - who will be the visitors at Liberty Stadium - have not lost in nine.

Such form has seen Swansea climb to seventh, while Norwich is up to 12th in the table.

On his side's surprising run of results, Norwich manager Chris Hughton said his squad deserve credit for getting out of early relegation trouble.

"It's a fantastic run and the players deserve all the credit," the former Newcastle boss said.

"They have got those results by putting in a lot of hard work on the training ground and in the games.

"We have got a really excellent group of players here and they have all earned the right to be playing in the Premier League.

"I have never gone so many games unbeaten as a manager before so this is all new for me."

It sets up a mouth-watering clash between the two sides, who seem to have established themselves as solid Premier League clubs despite only recently hovering in the Championship.

Norwich have few injury concerns of note - with goalkeeper John Ruddy (thigh) and Harry Kane (ankle) the most serious - as defender Michael Turner (shoulder) prepares to return to the squad for Hughton.

Michael Laudrup has several more issues in the medical room, with Kyle Bartley (thigh), Danny Graham (illness), Pablo Hernandez (hip), Neil Taylor (ankle), Wayne Routledge (ankle) and Michel Vorm (groin) all unavailable for Norwich's visit.

Recent head-to-head history suggests goals will be on the cards in Wales, with Norwich winning their previous two encounters 3-2 in Wales and 3-1 at Carrow Road in the Premier League last term.

Norwich midfielder Anthony Pilkington scored in both of those wins, making him the most obvious threat to breaking through Swansea's defence for a third consecutive time.

Swansea's last win came in their most recent clash in the Championship, with the Swans prevailing 3-0 at home.