Swansea Preview
Thursday, 27th Dec 2007 12:35

Leeds make their first trip to the Liberty Stadium with three players treading the suspension tightrope.

Leeds take on Swansea with the dreaded yellow-card peril very much in the air.

Alan Thompson's yellow-card against Hartlepool on Boxing Day means he will miss the visit of Northampton on Saturday January 5th. If Rui Marques, Matt Heath or Jermaine Beckford pick up any bookings on Saturday, then they will join Thommo in the stands on that new year date.

The Swans' trumped Leeds to go back to the top of League One on Boxing Day after they comprehensively thrashed Cheltenham 4-1 at their new home. Cheltenham are of course only one of two League One sides to beat Leeds this season.

Leeds are clearly grinding out results and turned in something of an indifferent display against Pool, which a point was salvaged by our customary last minute goal. Dennis Wise has apparently blamed "too much Christmas dinner or pudding" on the lacklustre performance.

Swansea are in a rich vein of form. They are three points clear of Leeds at the top with two games in hand. This is their fifth consequetive home game and they have won their last four.

Leeds do not appear to have suffered any injury concerns on the Durham coast and Dennis Wise will probably once again "rest" Alan Thompson and stick with Radostin Kishishev partnering Johnny Howson in the midfield.

Despite his barb at his players performance on Boxing Day, it would be a surprise if Dennis was to axe anybody as his best side virtually picks itself these days.

Although Leeds have never visited the Liberty Stadium, the old Vetch Field will no doubt be in the memory banks of older supporters. You have to go back nearly 24 years for Leeds last visit, a 2-2 draw in May 1984 with the whites' goals coming from Tommy Wright and Peter Lorimer.

Players to have worn the white shirts of both clubs include Warren Feeney (on loan to Swansea from Cardiff), Kevin Evans, Ray Wallace, Lee Chapman, Terry Conner, Alan Curtis, Derek Parlane, Terry Yorath and David Stewart.

Swansea will be out to avenge September's clash at Elland Road which Leeds won 2-0, their boss Robert Martinez accused the ref of swaying to the "intimidating Elland Road atmosphere".

KO is at 3pm and according to leedsunited.com there are some tickets still left.