Premier League preview: Fulham v Swansea

Fulham welcome Swansea City to Craven Cottage on Saturday, hoping to bounce back after their winning streak was ended by Aston Villa.

Martin Jol’s side won three Premier League clashes in succession before succumbing to the Birmingham outfit 1-0 at the weekend, but remain unbeaten in their past eight matches in London – including away to local rivals Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers.

Swansea, however, have vastly improved their form away from their Welsh surroundings, as they have won three times in the league while on the road in 2012, after failing to do so in the Premier League last year.

Wins away to Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Wigan will have restored calm in Brendan Rodgers’ side, while their most recent fixture – a 1-0 win over Manchester City – will provide a huge of boost of confidence.

A spot in the top half of the league table beckons for Swansea, who are level on 36 points with Fulham, though Jol’s side hold 10th place on goal difference.

In selection news, Swansea winger Nathan Dyer will serve the second of a three-match ban for a red card he received against Wigan earlier in the month.

Midfielder Ferrie Bodde remains on the sidelines with a knee problem, while fellow midfielder Kemy Agustien continues his rehabilitation from ankle surgery.

Jol will be unable to select Steve Sidwell (hernia) or Zdenek Grygera (knee) for the fixture.

The last time the two sides met Swansea were 2-0 winners at home, with Scott Sinclair and Danny Graham scoring.

Fulham striker Clint Dempsey missed a penalty late in the game which would have been an equaliser, before Graham sealed the points late.

The last time the two teams met at Craven Cottage, Fulham earned a 2-1 win in their FA Cup fifth-round replay in 2009, with Dempsey on target that day for the London outfit.