Swansea City v West Bromwich Albion

TEAM NEWS

Swansea winger Wayne Routledge has overcome the minor knee problem that sidelined him last week.

Defender Angel Rangel sprained his ankle against West Ham but is fit to play on Saturday.

West Brom will be without suspended pair James McClean and Salomon Rondon, who both begin three-match bans.

Saido Berahino is pushing for a recall after six games on the substitutes' bench, while Claudio Yacob is available following compassionate leave.

MOTD COMMENTATOR’S NOTES

John Roder: "These are nervous times for Swansea, and if results go badly over the festive period it could leave the Swans with a significant gap between them and safety.

"Only four players have scored for them in the Premier League this season, and they've managed to score just three times in their last seven matches. They are worrying statistics.

"West Brom arrive in South Wales needing a win of their own to extend their points advantage over the bottom three.

"Goals may be in short supply in this one, but you'd think the Baggies might just be too strong for the managerless Swans."

Twitter: @johnrodercomm 

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Swansea caretaker manager Alan Curtis on the club's search for a new boss: "I'm aware they are talking to people, but I guess it's a difficult time at Christmas.

"I don't know whether this situation will go on, but part of the equation would be if the performances carry on being decent and we win a couple of games then probably the need (for a new manager) is not so great.

"If we lost a couple of games it might push for a quicker resolution.

"I am quite happy to carry on for as long as it takes, whether it's for the weekend or a little bit further."

West Brom head coach Tony Pulis: "We have two games in three days so we would definitely rotate the squad. We will start with players at Swansea which we won't start with against Newcastle.

"Given the way he [Saido Berahino] has trained in the last couple of days, given the opportunity, hopefully he can show what he can do."

LAWRO’S PREDICTION

Swansea were okay in their 0-0 draw against West Ham and it was interesting to see caretaker boss Alan Curtis say all they need is a bit of a break. Will they get one against West Brom, who take no prisoners? I don't think so.

Lawro's full predictions v SAM the super-computer

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• The two sides have alternated victories in the last six meetings.
• The Baggies won the last encounter 2-0 last February with goals from Brown Ideye and Saido Berahino.

Swansea

• Swansea are winless in seven Premier League matches (D2, L5). It is their worst run since an eight-game winless streak two years ago.
• The Swans have gone seven home matches without a victory (D4, L3), failing to score in five of them.
• They have failed to score in a league-high eight games.
• The side that has been third bottom at Christmas has only been relegated in seven of the previous 23 Premier League seasons.
• Wayne Routledge has scored three goals in the last three Premier League games against West Brom at the Liberty Stadium.

West Brom

• West Brom are winless in four matches (D3, L1), their joint-worst run under Tony Pulis.
• They have conceded in each of their last seven games – the longest such streak by a Pulis-managed side since an 11-match spell at Stoke three seasons ago.
• Albion's 2-1 win at QPR in 2012 is their sole Premier League Boxing Day win in nine attempts (D2, L6).
• The Baggies have scored only six goals and conceded just seven in eight away games – both league lows along with Stoke.
• All of West Brom's five league wins this season have been by the odd goal.
• The last three Premier League goals scored by West Brom have all been by defenders.