Match Preview - Oldham Athletic v Swansea City

Swans start the new season tomorrow with an away fixture against Oldham at Boundary Park, kick-off 3.00pm.

Swansea City manager Roberto Martinez has nearly a full squad to choose from. Only Owain Tudur Jones (knee) and Darren Way (shin) are still not fit, while captain Garry Monk (ankle) has returned to training but is not yet match fit. Four players will probably make their league debuts for the Swans in tomorrow's game as I expect keeper Dorus De Vries, midfielder Ferrie Bodde, striker Jason Scotland, and Spanish defender Angel Rangel to start against the Latics. The last time the Swans won at Boundary Park was in 1969!

Oldham reached last year's play-offs and will be without Stefan Stam (hamstring), Kelvin Lomax (groin) and keeper Les Pogliacomi (knee). Lewis Alessandra (broken foot), Michael Pearson (knee) and Neil Wood (cruciate ligaments) are on the Latics injury list. Oldham have signed several players in the close season, two of which have Welsh connections. Michael Ricketts the former Cardiff striker has joined the Latics together with Welsh international Craig Davies.

Speaking to the South Wales Evening Post Martinez talks about our prospects for this season and said that ''There will be some difficult times for every side in what is a very tough division, you can point to teams like Nottingham Forest, who have a great squad, and Millwall, who finished last season on a high and I expect them to do well.

''There are going to be seven or eight teams who are going to be very, very close and that's going to make the top places very difficult to get into.

''It's going to be a question of who can play football like we do at home and then go away to places like Oldham and be effective. That's going to be the key to finishing in the top two - knowing how to play but also how to adapt in different circumstances.''

Martinez is refusing to discount Leeds from the promotion race even though the Elland Road giants had confirmation yesterday that they will start the campaign on -15 points.

''Sometimes, when you have so many problems, it gels everyone together and you fight against the world,'' Martinez said. ''Leeds will not have any of the expectations we have, for example, and a club with so much potential could still be very dangerous.''

Swans probable: De Vries, Rangel. Tate, Lawrence, Painter, Britton, Bodde, Pratley, Robinson, Scotland, Duffy. Subs from: Bussy, Anderson, O'Leary, Craney, Austin.

My Prediction - Oldham 1 Swansea City 1

Let's hope that this is our year.

UP THE SWANS