David Prutton believes that this weekend is a perfect time for Swansea City to host arch rivals Cardiff City.

Swansea look like turning a corner under Martin having lost only one of their last six games, albeit drawing on four occasions.

But the Swans are the favourites heading into Sunday's clash with arch rivals Cardiff City at the Liberty Stadium, with the Bluebirds out of sorts at the moment.

The pressure is on Mick McCarthy, whose side have lost their five games on the spin, including home defeats to West Brom and Reading last time out.

McCarthy's job could be on the line this weekend, then, and Swansea will be smelling blood from the home dressing room.

David Prutton has offered his thoughts on Sunday's derby clash, insisting it is a perfect time for Swansea to host their neighbours.

Speaking on the Sky Sports' EFL Podcast, he said: "I think if you're looking at it from a Swansea perspective, it would be a perfect time to play Cardiff.

"Given the magnitude of that game, it's an unbelievable atmosphere, just the right side of hostile. There's an edge to the game which, we hope in any game such as that that it never spills over, but having seen Swansea and what Russell [Martin] wants to do, it's fantastic really.

"When you do watch them live and you see what him and his coaching staff are like, so positive, so encouraging and so very on board with their team actually trying to do what he's set them out to do.

"There is a real turn in the way coaches relay information to their players, and we've seen it so many times with Swansea this season.

"Now the real test will be if they want to dominate possession against a side like Cardiff that wants to come and disrupt, whether they stick to the guns, whether the intensity and the energy that comes from a Cardiff side that is a wounded animal at this moment in time, whether they can deal with that, that's what really fascinates me.

"Swansea have got one hell of a chance, but Mick McCarthy and a Cardiff side that needs a result, don't put hit past him to go and turn Swansea over."

The Verdict

It does feel like the writing will be on the wall for McCarthy if his side fail to win this weekend.

Swansea and Cardiff's styles are different. Swansea will look to build from the back and play football under Martin.

McCarthy's teams, especially in these type of games, are known for being solid and dangerous in the air, which is something that Swansea will have to deal with.