Premier League preview: Sunderland v Swansea City

In-form Swansea City face a resurgent Sunderland in an intriguing Premier League clash at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Swansea were tipped by some to struggle after gaining promotion through the Championship play-offs last season.

But the first Welsh club to play in the Premier League have made a mockery of any suggestions they would be unable to cope with top-flight football.

Astutely managed by Northern Irishman Brendan Rodgers, Swansea are 10th on the table with more than half of the 2011/12 campaign already behind them.

They are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, and will be riding high after bagging their biggest scalp yet with a 3-2 win at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Next up, they make the long trip from south Wales to the north east of England on Saturday.

Lying in wait is a Sunderland team grabbing headlines following the arrival of Martin O’Neill as manager on December 3.

The club’s famously fanatical supporters appeared set for a season of disappointment following a miserable start under Steve Bruce, before the former Manchester United centre-back was relieved of his duties in November.

O’Neill’s arrival sparked an impressive run of five victories from eight matches, including a spell of five games without defeat.

That record ended with a 1-0 loss away to Champions League-chasing Chelsea on Saturday.

But Sunderland could feel aggrieved not to have taken at least a point after enjoying more chances than their hosts at Stamford Bridge.

The revival orchestrated by O’Neill is all the more impressive given the injury problems he has faced.

Goalkeeper Craig Gordon and defender Marcos Angeleri are yet to appear this season due to knee injuries, while centre-backs Wes Brown and Matt Kilgallon are in doubt with groin and ankle problems respectively.

Further forward, midfielder Jack Colback is expected back from an ankle injury in February, while Fraizer Campell (knee) could soon be in line for his first start this season.

Rodgers has had things easier than his countryman on the injury front – only Alan Tate is unavailable for the trip to Sunderland, with the stalwart defender predicted to return from a broken leg late next month.