WHERE AND WHEN: ANZ Stadium, Sunday 21 August, 1.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Sydney Swans 125 wins, St Kilda 76 wins, three draws
LAST TIME: St Kilda 15.6 (96) d Sydney Swans 13.10 (88), round 1, 2010 at ANZ Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Sydney Swans: LLBWL St Kilda: LWWWW

SUMMARY
Having spent the majority of the season in the top eight, the Swans' season is suddenly in danger of unraveling. They have lost six of their past eight games, with their only triumphs over that stretch coming against Gold Coast and the Western Bulldogs. A 43-point defeat to Richmond last Sunday has left their finals position in jeopardy and if they fail to beat the Saints, the Swans could be out of the top eight at the end of round 22.

St Kilda has been heading in the opposite direction over the past two months. Prior to last week's clash with Collingwood, the Saints had won eight of their previous 10 games and were riding a six-match winning streak. While their run ended against the Magpies, they were far from embarrassed in a gritty 19-point loss. Of the two teams, they are likely to arrive in Sydney with some confidence intact.

It has been some time since the two teams last met, with St Kilda prevailing in round one, 2010 by eight points. But both sides pride themselves on contested football and have similar strengths. The winner of this clash will maintain their prospects of a home final in week one.

QUESTION MARKS
Where is it going wrong for the Swans? While they are still in the top eight and their finals fate remains in their own hands, little over a month ago they were odds on for a home final and being discussed as a team to watch heading towards September. Now, as defender Marty Mattner said this week, they just need a win to find some confidence and reignite their flagging fortunes.

How will St Kilda's first loss since June affect its confidence with just three games remaining before the finals? The Saints have done extremely well to dig themselves out of a dreadful start to the season to be within reach of a home final. Can they keep their run going against a Swans side that will be desperate to arrest its slide?

PREDICTION
St Kilda by 13 points

TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Swans midfielder Josh Kennedy's price had been in free-fall from a high of $350,000 in round 14 to just under $300,000 four weeks later. But he has responded, one of his side's best in a poor team effort against the Tigers to earn 119 points and bump his price up by $12,800.

Clint Jones' value has slipped by $20,600 over the course of the season, but he picked up 103 Dream Team points last week for his 26 possessions and eight tackles against the Magpies.
 
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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL