Ivan Juric remains in search of his maiden victory as Southampton manager, with his side preparing to welcome a high-flying Swansea City team that has impressed in the Championship this season.
Billy More Jan 5
Southampton’s 2024/25 Premier League campaign has been nothing short of disastrous, with the Saints teetering on the edge of breaking unwanted records. A humiliating 5-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this season marked the end of Russell Martin’s tenure as manager. The club, rooted to the bottom of the table, appointed former AS Roma boss Ivan Juric in hopes of reversing their fortunes. Unfortunately, results remain elusive under his leadership, with the Saints still searching for a spark to ignite their season.
Southampton currently sit at the bottom of the league with only six points from 19 games, averaging a meager 0.32 points per match. At this pace, they are on course to break the record for the lowest points tally in Premier League history, currently held by Derby County’s infamous 2007/08 campaign. Despite their league struggles, Southampton will look to draw inspiration from their storied FA Cup history, including their remarkable 1976 victory over Manchester United, where Bobby Stokes’ lone goal secured their only major silverware.
Swansea City, meanwhile, find themselves in 12th place in the Championship, an improvement on last season's standings. Though inconsistent, the Jacks remain within touching distance of the play-off spots, with just a few wins separating them from the top six. Swansea last lifted a major trophy in 2013, claiming the EFL Cup in a historic campaign that marked their first major honor in over a century of existence.
Their FA Cup journey last season ended in disappointment with a heavy fourth-round defeat to Bournemouth. However, the Welsh side will aim to make amends this time around, hoping to capitalize on Southampton’s struggles.
Historically, Southampton has dominated this fixture, winning the last five meetings and remaining unbeaten in the last six encounters with Swansea. The two sides last met in the Premier League, where Southampton completed a convincing double. The reverse fixture at St. Mary’s saw the Saints dismantle Swansea 5-0, courtesy of goals from Joe Aribo, Samuel Edozie, Ryan Fraser (twice), and Che Adams.
Despite their dire form, Southampton may find solace in their track record against Swansea as they aim to secure Ivan Juric's first win at the helm.
Southampton’s recent form paints a grim picture. The Saints have suffered three straight defeats and are winless in their last 11 matches across all competitions. Their defensive frailties are glaring, having conceded first in eight of their previous 10 games. Furthermore, their last home victory dates back to early November, a 2-1 win against Everton. Since then, Southampton has lost six consecutive home matches, including heavy defeats to Chelsea (1-5) and Tottenham (0-5).
Adding to their misery, the Saints have failed to score in three of their last five home games and have collected just one point since their win over Everton.
Swansea, on the other hand, have shown flashes of promise on their travels. They’ve won two of their last five away games, including victories over Luton Town (2-1) and QPR (3-0). However, consecutive losses to Portsmouth (4-0) and Hull City (2-1) have highlighted their inconsistency.
Ranked 10th in the Championship for away form, the Jacks have four wins, two draws, and seven losses on the road this season. Defensive vulnerabilities remain an issue, as they have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three matches.
On paper, a Premier League side facing Championship opposition should result in a straightforward win for the top-tier team. However, Southampton’s freefall suggests this tie could be far from predictable. Swansea City will likely view this match as an opportunity to exploit the Saints’ vulnerabilities and push the game into extra time.
Both teams have struggled defensively, with both sides scoring in eight of their last 10 encounters. While Southampton’s home record is dismal, their superior squad depth may give them the edge. Nevertheless, a draw remains a strong possibility, as neither side has shown the consistency needed to dominate.
