Brighton v Swansea City - Match Preview

The Swans return to league action as they start the first of two away trips in four days that could see them push themselves really into the promotion frame. Starting the period in 6th place - trips to the sea at Brighton and Blackpool don't sound the most appealing in December but there is certainly a chance to try and get some more points into the bag before we think "Christmas Period" and "Shaping course of the season" and any other cliches that you will hear between now and FA Cup Third round day.

Lee Trundle is definitely out and with Bayo and Fallon suffering from illness over the past few days it could be a weak attack that lines up against the Seagulls. Ian Craney though is available for selection and he could find himself thrust up front to ease the problems there. Imelda and Izzy could also return

Brighton welcome back Andrew Whing and Adam El-Abd after suspension, but Guy Butters misses out with a calf injury. Midfielder Tommy Fraser limped off at the weekend with an ankle problem but is expected to be fit to figure.

The Swans form is good at the moment - if you throw in the two FA Cup ties then it is four wins out of the past five - and only one league defeat since the end of September. With that run they have hauled themselves into a decent position - the challenge now is to build on it

Brighton's home form is not good with three defeats in the past six games although two impressive FA Cup wins at home have seen them stroll into the third round. They will be looking for a win that will see them keep within touching distance of the play off pack.

Brighton are priced as marginal favourites at 7/5 although the 13/8 on the Swans is not that far behind with the draw available to back a 9/4

The 9/2 on the injured Lee Trundle to score first looks potentially the worst bet of the year with Rory Fallon (6/1) and Alex Revell (6/1) the next two best priced to take the honour on the night. Looking at value in this market, Craney at 17/2 looks good value or Robbo at 13/2 assuming he gets penalty duties in the absence of LT10.

Double fans may fancy the backing of Ian Craney to score first in a 2-1 Swans win - 55/1 would be a winning return.

Confidence remains high in the Jack Army camp with 61 of the 100 predictions to date saying the Swans will triumph there and 30 backing the draw. Lee Trundle (29) is the choice presumably of some of the early predictors for the game with Robbo (25) and Fallon (12) coming in behind in those stakes. Leon Britton with 10 votes is probably his highest number ever!

Unimaginative as ever the favourite score is 2-1 Swansea with 32 votes, ahead of 1-1 with 21.

Predictions for the Swans next match are as follows. You can still enter the prediction league by clicking here. A Swans shirt is up for grabs for this season's winner

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames.

I can see us getting four points from these two trips this week so the result in this game will directly affect my prediction for the Blackpool game. How will we start the week? My gut feel is a win here so thats where I lay my hat. Or is that my home?