The newly promoted sides are set to face each other for the first time ever in the elite division of English football, and with both teams fighting for survival we expect to see a lot of fireworks at Liberty Stadium. Swansea City enter the match in somewhat better mood than their opponents and that could give them the upper hand.

Liberty Stadium becoming a fortress

Swansea City are the perfect proof that newly promoted sides don’t necessarily need to spend piles of cash on new players in order to survive in the top flight, seeing that they have spent just over €10 million this summer, which is not that much according to Premier League standards. Michel Vorm, Wayne Routledge and Danny Graham are the only summer arrivals who are now considered first team regulars, but the reality is that the entire team, brilliantly led by talented manager Brendan Rodgers has to be given credit for the bright start to the season. Swansea may have problems matching the best sides in the league, but their slick passing game is producing great results against the bottom table sides, and with the Swans usually on top of their game when playing at the Liberty Stadium, I am positive that they won’t have problems surviving this season. After beating the likes of West Brom, Stoke, Bolton and Fulham at home, the Swans should be able to triumph against out-of-form QPR as well.

Nathan Dyer is expected to return after recovering from a foot injury, but defender Neil Taylor is a doubt with a knee problem.

QPR starting to lose ground

Queens Park Rangers had a poor start to their Premier League campaign, but things have improved after the heavy recruitment in the final stage of the summer transfer window. Nonetheless, Neil Warnock’s side haven’t been able to realize their full potential, which is why they now sit just above the relegation zone. The Rs suffered a huge dip in form of late, having picked up just one point from last five games, so they clearly enter this clash low on confidence. While QPR boast a pretty good midfield area with players like Barton, Faurlin and Wright-Phillips, they have big problems at the back and up front, as witnessed by their 17:31 goal difference. Defenders Danny Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand and Luke Young are all past their prime, so it is no wonder that QPR back line largely struggle in almost every single game. Taking that into account, I really don’t see how they are going to contain the likes of Danny Graham, Wayne Routledge and Scott Sinclair.

Anton Ferdinand continues to miss out with a hamstring injury, but Shaun Wright-Phillips should be fit to play.

Verdict

Swansea City are playing really well against the bottom table sides and they are becoming a real force to be reckoned with at their Liberty Stadium. Queens Park Rangers clearly lack the quality to play at this level and being completely out of confidence at the moment, I don’t think they can stop the Swans from winning this game.

Our prediction: Home win

Odds: 2.10 (11/10)

Bookmaker: Ladbrokes