Vitor Matos confirms that his selection strategy will remain unchanged as Swansea City gears up for its first match of the 2026-27 season in the Carabao Cup.

Swansea will host Championship rivals Birmingham City on Saturday at 15:00 BST, before launching into their league campaign against Stoke City the following weekend.

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While it’s common for managers to utilize early EFL Cup matches to provide playing time for squad members, Matos plans to deploy a lineup close to his strongest team.

“We don’t separate competitions,” stated the Swansea head coach. “We work for the next game and that’s what we’re going to do on this game. It’s our first game of the season, so for us, it’s a game we want to compete in. That’s what we need.”

Swansea will be without midfielder Goncalo Franco, who is sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained last month. New signing Ross Stewart is also unfit for selection after missing pre-season preparations.

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Zan Vipotnik is anticipated to feature as he regains fitness following a quad injury, while captain Ben Cabango and summer recruit Stephen Welsh are set to return after missing last weekend’s Leganes friendly due to illness.

Welsh, Moussa Yeo, Elijah Just (pictured above), Joseph Opoku, and Tiago Parente have the chance to make their competitive debuts against a Birmingham side that drew their final pre-season friendly with a youthful Barcelona squad last week.

The Blues, led by former Swansea assistant Chris Davies, finished 10th in the Championship last season, edging out the Swans on goal difference.

“Birmingham are a really good team, with impressive results in pre-season against tough opponents,” Matos remarked. “They are very aggressive, possibly one of the most aggressively pressing teams I have seen in recent times, along with being direct. Set-pieces are also crucial, so it will be a significant challenge.”

Vitor Matos says there will be no change to his selection plans even though Swansea City’s first game of the 2026-27 season is in the Carabao Cup.

Swansea host fellow Championship club Birmingham City on Saturday (15:00 BST) before starting their league campaign at Stoke City the following weekend.

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Managers often use the early stages of the EFL Cup to give squad players game time, but Matos looks set to field something close to his strongest available side.

“We don’t separate competitions,” said the Swansea head coach. “We work for the next game and that’s what we’re going to do on this game.

“It’s our first game of the season so for us it’s a game we want to compete in. That’s what we need.”

Swansea are without midfielder Goncalo Franco because of the ankle injury he suffered last month, while new recruit Ross Stewart is not being considered having missed out on pre-season.

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Zan Vipotnik is expected to play some part as he builds fitness following a quad injury, while captain Ben Cabango and summer signing Stephen Welsh are available after missing last weekend’s Leganes friendly through illness.

Welsh, Moussa Yeo, Elijah Just (pictured above), Joseph Opoku and Tiago Parente are in contention to make competitive debuts for Swansea against a Birmingham side who drew their final pre-season friendly with a youthful Barcelona side last week.

The Blues, managed by former Swansea assistant boss Chris Davies, finished 10th in the second tier last season, ahead of the Swans on goal difference.

“Birmingham are a really good team, had really good results in pre-season if we look to the games they played against really good oppositions,” Matos said.

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“They are really aggressive, probably one of the most aggressive teams I’ve seen in recent times in terms of pressing, direct as well, set-piece is quite important, so it will be a really good challenge.”