The last time Swansea were in the top flight Return of the Jedi had only just hit the cinemas, Billy Joel went to the top of the charts with Uptown Girl and seat belts became mandatory on British roads. A lot of things have changed since then, especially with the Jacks who nearly went out of business before staging a remarkable comeback. Swansea are now within touching distance of an appearance in the Championship play-off final and a chance to return to the top flight for the first time in 27 years. Thursday’s clash at the City Ground was tight but Nottingham Forest’s failure to take advantage of ten-man Swansea surely hands the advantage to the Welsh side. We preview Monday’s semi-final second leg.
After 90 seconds of the first leg, Forest fans must have thought it was going to be their night – Neil Taylor seeing red for a fairly x-rated challenge. However, anyone who thought that would open the flood gates for the usually free-flowing Forest were mistaken as Billy Davies‘ men found themselves banging their head against a brick wall.
Despite having scored 14 goals in their previous four matches the former European champions found it difficult to break down the Swans – their lack of imagination costing them in their bid to take an advantage to the Liberty Stadium.
Instead the goalless draw surely hands Swansea the impetuous considering their formidable record, the Jacks having lost just three times at home in the league. The Swans are evens to win the second leg of the semi-final, while Forest are 13/5 and the draw, after 90 minutes, is 9/4.
Forest didn’t enjoy their trip to south Wales earlier in the season when they were beaten 3-2, a score line which didn’t reflect the dominance of the home team on that day. Traditionally Forest have struggled away from home in the Championship with their form on the road costing them automatic promotion last season.
The current campaign hasn’t heralded a massive change in fortunes, despite back-to-back wins on their travels at the end of season. Those two wins were the only two they had managed in ten matches away from home.
Davies felt his side were unlucky in the first leg but after watching the video tape back might feel a little differently and could make changes to his side, with David McGoldrick, Garath McCleary, Marcus Tudgay and Radoslaw Majewski all waiting in the wings. For Swansea they have been given a boost with the news the dangerous looking Fabio Borini is fit to start. The on-loan Chelsea striker limped off in the first game with a hamstring problem but has been cleared to play and can be back to score anytime at 6/5.
While Forest stood firm to the Swans trio of Borini, Nathan Dyer and Scott Sinclair last week, with 11 v 11 it might be a different matter. It seems unlikely there is going to be a glut of goals, based on the first leg, but with the crowd behind them you’d say Swansea should have too much attacking talent for Forest.
Last year Forest suffered the heart-break of losing in the play-offs and unless they cause a real upset they will endure the same fate again. As for the Swans, they are 15/8 to go up and maybe that is worth a punt when you look at the team’s in the play-offs. After Tuesday most of south Wales could be preparing a Welsh invasion of the capital, if Swansea and Cardiff do what is expected of them and booked their places at Wembley.
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