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Swansea City vs Leeds United match preview: An interview with Swansea offside

This week for our preview of today's game we have an interview with Tom Rees from Swansea Offside as well as our usual match build-up.

Leeds face a difficult test later today when they travel to Wales to face Swansea, who are second in the Championship and unbeaten in three. Simon Grayson will be without the suspended Bradley Johnson after he was sent off on Tuesday after two yellow cards. Paul Connolly will also be absent, the defender is still struggling with a hamstring injury. Both Davide Somma and Sanchez Watt will be pushing for a place in the starting eleven, with Johnson out the pair will be looking to impress the gaffer.

Swansea have some injury worries of their own, Gary Monk (knee) and Andrea Orlandi (thigh) will both miss tomorrow's clash. The Swans have exceeded expectations this season, and are known for playing some quality football, so the leaky Leeds defence will have to be at their best, come 12.45pm.

My prediction

I have a bad feeling about this game, we showed how bad we can be in defence on Tuesday night and I fear that the team may not have recovered from that game. A draw would be a good result, taking into account Swansea's league position, but we still have every chance of winning this one. If the Leeds United that played QPR turn up to the Liberty Stadium then we should breeze through. Swansea have a danger man in Scott Sinclair, his pace and skill in front of goal will be a constant threat to us.

I think both teams have the ability to score goals so will go with the game to finish 2-2.

Interview with Swansea Offside

Tom Rees from Swansea offside has kindly offered to answer some questions ahead of today's game. I have also answered some of his questions over at Swansea offside, so feel free to check them out.

We beat you 2-1 last time out at home back in September, what has changed at Swansea since then?

Since the game at Elland Road the side has got to grips with the more attacking system, we have width and a steel to the team that was missing last season and at the start of this. More importantly we have goals in us!

What are Swansea's chances of promotion this season?

I think we have a very good chance. I think we play the best football in the league and at home we can beat anybody. I think autos are a very realistic possibility as we have most of the top 6 at home, where we are very strong.

What formation will you most likely be fielding tomorrow?

We usually set up with a 4-2-1-2-1 so with two holding players one more advanced midfielder with Dyer and Sinclair right on the chalk of the touchline almost level with a loan striker.

What do you and Swansea fans think of Brendan Rodgers?

Brendan rodgers has a very good reputation down here. There is a mutual appreciation between the fans and the gaffer. He understands our mentality as fans and that we are used to a barcelona-esq style and he loves that we buy into that as that is what he wants to replicate. There is sense that where martinez and sousa failed Rodger's has understood what was missing and filled those gaps. We have always played 'the Swansea way' which is attacking football on the deck and he has returend us to that style but with the continental influences of Martinez. He loves the club and we love him.

Which one of your players, do Leeds need to fear the most?

Dyer Pratley and Dobbie. Sinclair is not as frightening at home as Dyer overshadows him everytime. I hope you have a rapid LB because Dyer will tear him apart. Pratley on his day is the best centre mid in the league and Dobbie is chomping at the bit at the moment and has a real point to prove.

What will the atmosphere be like on Saturday?

The atmosphere will be sensational.To be fair we aren't used to big away support coming to us and as such we always react well to a noisy bunch so we'll be in a full voice. Expect the welsh hymns of Zulu with a venomous atmosphere. Think Swans Cardiff but with less hate and more anti English sentiment.

Do you fear Leeds' goal scoring threat, or do you believe you will be able to handle them at home?

We respect Leeds as a team and of all the sides in the league only Cardiff Leeds and Forest seem to have an attacking threat capable of putting us under pressure at home. I think we can handle you but if the game opens up i'd be concerned. in my opinion midfield will be where the game will be won.

Prediction for the match?

I'm going for a 3-2 swans win but i immediately regret that prediction.

Big thanks for Tom for the interview, just hope he is wrong with the prediction and the Whites can get all three points.

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