Preview

Burnley v Swansea City preview

11 Aug 2016
Fernando Llorente (Swansea City)

Summer signing Fernando Llorente is expected to make his Premier League debut for Swansea City as they visit Burnley on Saturday. 

The Spain international joined from Sevilla this summer and should lead the forward line, but club record signing Borja Baston will not be involved, having joined the club on Thursday.

Defender Stephen Ward is expected to be fit for Burnley, but striker Ashley Barnes is not expected to play. 

Did you know?

Burnley have found the back of the net in 17 of their last 18 opening day matches, failing to score against Stoke City in the Premier League in 2009/10.

Swansea City have won four of their last five league meetings with Burnley (W4 D0 L1), including two 1-0 wins in the 2014/15 Premier League season.

There have been 21 goals scored in Swansea’s five previous league matches on the opening weekend, an average of 4.2 per fixture.

Swansea are unbeaten in their last seven top-flight matches played in August (W5 D2 L0).

What the managers say

Burnley manager Sean Dyche said: "The other managers are not looking at it as Burnley are an easy game. They know we fought very hard and played well a number of times the last time we were in the Premier League.

"We know it will be a big challenge and we know we will be the minnows of the division; probably everyone thinks it won't happen for us but we don't think that."

Swansea's Francesco Guidolin: “It’s important to start well in our first game, but it’s important for our opponents as well. We have to be ready because Burnley have just been promoted and they are strong and compact.

“I said to my players – remember last year two promoted teams, Watford and Bournemouth, had good seasons."

Click here to read more from Guidolin. 

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