Swansea vs Preston prediction: ENGLAND: Championship betting tips on match 2023-12-21 19:45.
Swansea City are still to appoint a permanent successor to Michael Duff after Chris Davies opted to remain at Tottenham, increasing caretaker boss Alan Sheehan’s chances of getting the job. Sheehan suffered his first defeat since Duff’s departure on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Middlesbrough, but at least they’ll spend Christmas clear of the relegation zone.
Winning against Preston could catapult them up the table, but Swans fans won’t be getting ahead of themselves given they haven’t seen a home league win since early October (D3, L3). The H2H record is more encouraging however, as they’ve only lost one of the last 22 meetings in Wales (W16, D5), a remarkable run that started in December 1962 when the club was still known as Swansea Town!
As Preston were thumped 5-1 by Watford on Saturday and have only won one of their last six Championship matches (D1, L4), they’re vulnerable despite sitting just outside the play-off positions. Manager Ryan Lowe said Watford’s second goal “knocked the stuffing” out of his side as it came immediately after half-time, a clear weakness given they’ve conceded 61% of their league goals this term after the break.
While Preston have now conceded 4+ goals in a club joint-record eight league matches in 2023, including when losing 4-2 here in April, only one loss (W2, D1) across their last four league away games might give travelling fans some hope. They will head to Wales hoping for a historic victory, as after winning the reverse fixture 2-1 in August, three points would see them complete a first league double over Swansea since 1933/34!
Players to watch: Jamal Lowe netted Swansea’s second-half equaliser against Middlesbrough, but three of his five goals this season were match-openers before the 30th minute. Along similar lines, Will Keane scored between the 25th and 40th minute in both of Preston’s last two matches.
Hot stat: Preston are the only team yet to concede a Championship goal in the first 15 minutes away from home.