English Premier
2012-03-11 - Swansea vs Manchester City
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 11 March 2012 - Kick Off 2pm
Swansea
Swansea have had such an impressive season that Brendan Rodgers is being tipped by some sections of the media of being the next permanent manager of Chelsea, a club where has worked in the past. However, the manager is currently just trying to remain focused on keeping the team in the Premier League for another season, something that was not expected at the beginning of the season.
The Swans fell down to 15th in the Premier League table after the results on Saturday, but they remain 11 points clear of the relegation zone and they likely need another 6-8 points to ensure their safety. Swansea bring in a tough record at home where they are 5-6-2 this season, scoring 18 goals and only conceding 10.
They have won 2 of their last 7 games in all competitions, but one of them was a vital 0-2 win at Wigan last week in their last game. Swansea have won just 1 of their last 5 games at home and they were beaten 2-3 here last time out by Norwich City.
Nathan Dyer begins a suspension and misses out here, but Ashley Williams should be fit to take his place in the line up. Wayne Routledge could come into the side in place of Dyer.
Manchester City
Manchester City were beaten in the Europa League on Thursday, but that was a result that didn't seem to bother Roberto Mancini too much as he feels his side will still get through to the last 8 of that competition. Before that, City will be hoping to keep their lead over Manchester United who will also be playing at the same time against West Brom at home.
I think there will be a few twitchy players at the Etihad Stadium as they get to the crucial part of the season with 8 games before the big clash with United at home on April 30th. City have a 7-3-3 away record so far this season, scoring 27 goals and conceding 13, meaning only United have won more games on their travels or scored more and conceded less.
The loss at Sporting Lisbon stopped a City run of 6 consecutive wins in all competitions for the side, a run in which they had conceded just 1 goal. The team had won back to back games away from home in all competitions before the loss in the Europa League, while the team have won 2 of their last 3 away from home in the Premier League.
Vincent Kompany is likely going to miss the next couple of weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in Lisbon, while Pablo Zabaleta is also out. Micah Richards, Joleon Lescott and Yaya Toure should all return to the first team.
Head to Head
Manchester City beat Swansea 4-0 at home earlier this season, but this will be their first game at the new Liberty Stadium.
The last time City played in Swansea was in the 1983/84 season, coming away with a 0-2 win.
Prediction
Swansea have proven that they deserve their place in the Premier League this season with some really good performances, and I think they will relish testing themselves against Manchester City. They have plenty of pace in the side that is bound to cause a Kompany-less defence some problems, but City have shown their defensive qualities on more than one occasion this season.
City themselves will be given the time to pass the ball against a team that will like to do the same when they get the chance, and that should really play into the hands of the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero.
I can see this game following a similar pattern to when Swansea hosted Manchester United earlier this season and that is that they will have plenty of possession but perhaps lack the quality in the final third to open up City.
At the other end, I expect City will fashion a couple of clear chances with the quality they have in their squad and that should lead them to win the game.
With that in mind, I think the offer of 2.60 at Bet365 that City win this game to nil looks a little generous and I will give that a shot here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Swansea 0-1 Manchester City
