Tottenham Hotspur vs. Swansea City: Match Preview, Projected Lineups & Predictions

Massive. Tottenham Hotspur were certainly underdogs in their last league match against Manchester City, but Spurs were able to take down The Citizens 4-1 at home. The performance was marked by starring turns from Eric Dier, Erik Lamela, and Harry Kane. The win launched Spurs up the table, as they currently sit in 8th place with a game in hand. A win could launch Spurs into as high as third place today, bringing the team shockingly back into Champions League contention after a slow league start.

In the way Sunday is a trip west to Wales to face Swansea City. The Swans currently sit in 12th place in the table with nine points, in the midst of an up and down season. Swansea have been led by their strong defense, which has only allowed one home goal in the league thus far this season. The centerback duo of Ashley Williams and Federico Fernández have been strong in front of goalkeeper Łukasz Fabiański. In attack, the trio of Bafetimbi Gomis, Andre Ayew, and Gylfi Sigurdsson have led the Swans while Jonjo Shelvey has emerged the main distributor from midfield.

Can Spurs keep their strong form going after a massive league win over Manchester City?  We shall see.

How to Watch

Date/time: Sunday, October 4, 4 p.m. (UK), 11 a.m. ET (USA)
Venue: Liberty Stadium, Swansea, UK
Official: Mike Dean
TV: DirecTV Only - Channel 491 (USA), Not Televised (UK), Sportsnet (Canada), Fox Sports 5 (Australia), other listings at livesoccertv.com
Streaming: NBCS Live Extra (USA)
Radio: Audio streamed at tottenhamhotspur.com, also BBC Radio London and TalkSport

Projected Lineup

Sonny come, Sonny go.  The biggest challenge Tottenham looks to face against Swansea is the absence of their star South Korean winger Son Heung-Min, as Nacer Chadli looks to return to the left wing as Christian Eriksen starts again at attacking midfield.

Prediction League

As for the Prediction League, only Brett Rainbow foresaw Spurs beating Manchester City last week. The rules remain the same in the Prediction League -- one point for a correct prediction and a bonus point for getting the score correct. Here are the current standings:

Michael Caley: I always say that I'm scared. Because this is a Europa hangover match. Because all of our starting XI basically played in Monaco. Because Swansea's numbers have remained good despite their recent slump. So I guess I am. But I'm also not predicting a loss, so what's the point of talking about being worried besides to hedge a bet I am literally not allowed to hedge, by the eternally binding rules of the prediction league? So screw that. Spurs are gonna win. 3-0 Spurs

Bryan A.: Swansea have been slumping after a hot start. Spurs seem to be on the opposite track. Still, away in Wales is never easy and we took most of our first team to Monaco in Europa. 2-1 Swansea due to a Monegasque hangover.

GN_Punk: We're on an uptick after thrashing City and getting a draw out of Monaco in Europa. Not having Son will hurt a bit, but I have faith that Chadli will be fine out left with Eriksen, Lamela, and Kane. Swansea is a good side, and we're only on a couple days rest after the Thursday match, but either way: We are better than Swansea. We should win this one. 2-1 Spurs

Mechanick: I don't think this Swansea defense is as strong as it seems. I also think Bafetimbi Gomis could be a load. Harry Kane's the difference tho. 2-1 Spurs

Ed F.: 1-0 Spurs.

Skipjack: 2-2 Draw. We're going to be tired. Also Tom Carroll won't betray his Welsh overlords.

Dustin Menno: Spurs have been playing some really good football lately, which is surprising, and awesome, and makes me wonder when the other shoe is going to drop. I'm not sure that'll happen at Swansea, but with Sonny out for a number of weeks and a mid-week Europa League match, I think this will probably end up closer than what people perhaps expect. 1-0 Spurs, but it's nervy Spurs don't score until late.

Brett Rainbow: TBD

Ben Daniels: Despite potential Europa fatigue, Swansea just aren't that impressive. 2-0 Spurs.

Kevin McCauley: TBD

55thVin:We are in the process of building up expectations for the inevitable crash and burn. Oh, grow up; I'm taking the piss. 2-0 Spurs and we're winning the league.

Earl of Shoop: Isn't it fun to be a Spurs fan right now? Sure we drew mid week, but how about that City win! This weekend we face Swansea, and while I still love Gylfi to an unreasonable degree and have a soft spot for the Swans, this is not where our hot streak ends. Maybe Siggy nets one against us, or maybe he watches from the bench. Who knows! But what I do know is this is another solid win for us. 3-1 good guys, and it silences the "Europa hangover" crowd for, like, a week or two maybe. 3-1 Spurs

Luke Zimmerman: Curious to see how playing more top line guys midweek impacts this one, but Spurs have all the momentum in the world. Swansea might be primed to play spoilers, but I think the better side wins out. 1-0 to Tottenham, even without one of their key new attacking options. 1-0 Spurs

Salmon Chase: TBD

Matthew Pachniuk: The Europa League hangover was noticeably absent when Spurs played Sunderland two weeks ago, but I think Sunday's clash against Swansea will be different. Part of me wants to say a win as Swansea has suffered a dismal September (1 point in 3 PL matches and 1-0 loss to Hull in the COC), but the other half says fatigue and no Son will be bring darkness to our play. We are also away. If we are to win, its must be through early goals. I think we get the first, but concede late. 1-1 Draw.