Swansea had plenty of the ball in both of their last two league games, yet one ended 4–0 for them and the other 5–0 against. The gap was in what happened after they moved forward: against Blackburn they kept reaching the box, while QPR found dangerous looks whenever Swansea lost control. Portsmouth’s recent games suggest they can make an opponent work for shots, but their own route back upfield is the question. Which side gets the first clean second attack after a turnover?
Our match records put Swansea at 67% possession, 20 shots and 13 from inside the box against Blackburn. At QPR they had 60% possession but only eight shots, five from inside the box, while QPR took nine of their 12 shots from inside. Portsmouth held Burnley scoreless, though they managed just one shot from inside the box themselves; their win over Millwall came from seven shots. Swansea’s confirmed front line includes Opoku and Idah, while Portsmouth start Milovanović with Bishop listed out. That makes the space behind Portsmouth’s midfield and Swansea’s protection after losing the ball the two passages I’d keep an eye on.
