Features
Away days: Swansea City
Written by Rory Mitchinson
United travel to South Wales for their first long-haul trip of the new Premier League campaign, with Paul Clement’s Swansea City lying in wait. Continuing our look at the stadia the Magpies will be visiting this term, here we give the lowdown on the Swans’ Liberty Stadium…
Club: Swansea City
Stadium: Liberty Stadium
Capacity: 20,972
Distance from St. James’ Park: 354 miles
Previous Premier League visits: Five (One win, one draw, three defeats)
Though some may expect Newcastle to carry the tag, it is Swansea who are actually the Premier League’s most geographically isolated club this season, located more than 130 miles away from their nearest opponents, West Bromwich Albion. Since Cardiff City’s relegation in 2014, the Swans have been Wales’ sole top-flight representatives, and – despite a difficult 2016/17 campaign – they are currently enjoying their longest stay in a division of any sort for more than 50 years.
The Magpies’ first trip to the Liberty Stadium – the Swans’ home for just over a decade – came in 2010, with both clubs plying their trade in the Championship. They have made a further five visits since, though their record does not make for happy reading. Since winning 2-0 in 2012 – during Swansea’s first season in the Premier League – they have been beaten three times out of four, failing to score in each defeat.
Last time out, the Swans struck early in each half to condemn Steve McClaren’s Magpies to their first loss of the 2015/16 campaign. Daryl Janmaat saw red for United, with midfielder Jonjo Shelvey – who moved to St. James’ Park later that season – impressing for the home side.