The defending champions, Manchester City, are struggling with consistency, going 1-1-1 in their last three Premier League games. In addition, they will miss a couple of key players against a dangerous Swansea side this weekend. Will Manchester City rediscover their form? Or will Swansea continue to make a case as a threat to the Premier League crown?
Don’t forget to check out the best soccer in the Premier League this week in our Weekly EPL picks and predictions. Meanwhile, a storm is brewing in a pivotal matchup between two giants of English soccer in Arsenal vs. Manchester United.
[sc:Soccer ]Manchester City vs. Swansea Preview
Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester
When: Saturday, November 22, 10:00 AM ET
Line: Swansea +700 at Manchester City -370; total 3.0 – view all EPL Lines
What’s At Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]Swansea can tie Manchester City with a 6-3-3 record and 21 points with a win. Meanwhile, Man City will need a win to help boost their campaign for a championship defense.
Betting on Manchester City
Manchester City return from the international break with an injury-laden roster. Their shaky backline may even be shakier with defenders Vincent Kompany and Eliaquin Mangala doubtful ahead of this match, both due to calf injuries.
To further compound their problems, talented playmaker David Silva is also nursing a knee injury, and may not return to action until November 30. Silva has been instrumental for Man City’s attack with two goals and two assists over the course of the Premier League season. Another attacker in Edin Dzeko is sporting a calf injury heading into this game, though he may not be missed too much as he has been quiet over the past four of Man City’s Premier League matches.
The burden of leading Man City on Saturday now lies on star striker Sergio Aguero. The Argentinian forward has been in spectacular form, scoring all of the team’s three goals over the past two matches. He is also only three games removed from his best performance of the season, a four goal performance against Tottenham on October 18.
Aguero should be a burden for the visiting side’s backline, especially with setup man Jesus Navas (three assists) available to make plays. However, Swansea’s defense may be hard to crack, as the Swans have conceded only 11 goals in the season, the second-best mark behind Southampton’s five goals against.
Manchester City is 4-1-1 in their last six games against the Swans.
Betting on Swansea
Swansea are coming off a big 2-1 win against Arsenal on November 9. The Swans’ talent-rich midfield was the catalyst for the win as Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the equalizing goal, while Jefferson Montero set up substitute Bafetimbi Gomis for the game winner in the 77th minute.
Aside from scoring, Sigurdsson has proven to be a talented playmaker with seven assists this season. However, the Swans will need much more from leading goal scorer Wilfriend Bony. After scoring all four of his goals this season in three consecutive games against Newcastle, Stoke and Leicester, Bony has been quiet over the past two Premier League games. An injury-hit Man City backline may be what Bony needs to net his fifth goal of the season.
Meanwhile, the return of wingers Wayne Routledge (two goals, one assist) and Nathan Dyer (three goals) from their respective groin injuries should give the Swans a more dynamic attacking front.
On defense, the center back pairing of Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez has been excellent at keeping attackers off goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. However, the Polish keeper may be up for more work against the league’s top scorer, Aguero, with Fernandez out due to a calf injury.
The Swans are 2-2-3 in their last seven away games in the Premier League.
Writer’s Prediction
Manchester City has looked unspectacular in their title defense thus far. Swansea have already picked up big upsets over Manchester United and Arsenal this season. A third upset is in the books as Swansea take over Etihad Stadium. Create a betting account now and start profiting from all the hottest soccer action across the globe.
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