Premier League preview: Swansea v Wigan Athletic

Swansea City and Wigan Athletic will enter Saturday’s fixture at the Liberty Stadium looking for their first league wins in nearly two months.

Despite making bright starts to their respective English Premier League campaigns, both sides have struggled for form recently, losing three and drawing two of their last five fixtures.

Swansea lost just four matches at home last term, recording wins against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool.

But they have not been as convincing at the Liberty Stadium this season, with 2-2 draws against Sunderland and Reading coming either side of a 3-0 home reverse to Everton.

And Swansea midfielder Nathan Dyer says he and his team-mates are determined to turn their poor form at home around.

“We look at all our home games as chances to pick up points,” Dyer told the club’s official website.

“We need to make the Liberty (Stadium) a fortress like we did last year and make it difficult for teams to come here and play.

“We also want to let the big teams know that when they play against us at home then it is going to be a really difficult game and they have to work really hard to get anything out of it.”

For Swansea, who sit 11th – five points above the relegation zone – the match is even more important due to the hectic fortnight that will follow the visit of Wigan.

Michael Laudrup’s side visit Manchester City initially, before travelling to Anfield to face Liverpool in a fourth round League Cup fixture.

And when they return to Wales, they will have the small matter of Chelsea – the table-toppers – waiting for them in the Premier League.

Spanish forward Michu has been in terrific form for Swansea this season, scoring five goals.

Wigan have also had a reliable source for goals, with six of their seven coming from the forward pairing of Argentine Franco Di Santo and Ivorian Arouna Kone.

Roberto Martinez – who has played for and managed both sides – is now at Wigan and will be hopeful his men’s impressive record on the road in recent times can continue.

Wigan have won five of their last 10 away Premier League fixtures, with triumphs over Liverpool and Arsenal particularly impressive.