Swansea were a surprise team last year, pulling off a handful of upsets against Manchester United, Arsenal and Southampton along the way. They finished with their best standing in their four straight appearances in the Premier League.
Swansea may even get better this time around after their successful season last time around. They field some feisty veterans and a couple of fresh legs to turn some heads this season. Read on for everything you need to know about the Swans heading into the 2015-16 Barclays Premier League season.
Into the top dogs of the Premier League? Check out our complete team previews for Chelsea and Manchester City.
[sc:Soccer ]Swansea A.F.C. 2015-2016 Premier League Preview
Overview
Swansea A.F.C. make their fifth straight appearance in the Premier League for the 2015-16 season. The Swans are fresh off an eighth place finish last season, their highest ever position in the Barclays Premier League. They can continue to be a force in the Premier League this season with a well-balanced midfield led by Gylfi Sigurdsson and a stellar keeper in Lukasz Fabianski.
[sc:Soccer240banner ]The Swans loaded up their frontline this season, signing strikers Andre Ayew and Eder to four and three-year contracts respectively. Signing the two strikers gives Swansea players who could fill-in for Bafetimbi Gomis and Wilfriend Bony, who combined to score 16 goals last season.
Only one other forward managed to score a goal in Nelson Oliveira. Expect Swansea to field an even stronger attack this time around.
Swansea are +100,000 to win the Premier League.
Key Player – Gylfi Sigurdsson
No other player has a bigger role than Gylfi Sigurdsson. He was the vital piece in Swansea’s attack last season with Gomis and Bony being the only forwards capable of scoring against the opposition. Sigurdsson gives Swansea a scoring threat as evidenced by his seven goals last season. He can also become quite a playmaker as his team-leading 10 assists suggests.
Expect Sigurdsson to remain the brightest player donning Swansea colors. He may lose some of his scoring touch especially if Swansea’s forwards find their scoring boots, but this should only rack up his assists by setting up key scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Key Game – at Chelsea, August 8
Swansea face a formidable challenge right out the gates, opening their season against last season’s champions Chelsea. The Swans also had a very tough matchup to start their 2014-2015 campaign on the road against Manchester United, but came out on top in a 2-1 victory. Taking a big win on the road and at the very start of the season could propel Swansea to another successful campaign.
The Swans could be seen as an elite team this season if they can beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, but recent results would say otherwise. Swansea have lost their last five league matches against the defending champions.
Best Case/ Worst Case
Best Case
Swansea improve on their impressive eighth-place finish, ranking in the top four this season. They make their first ever appearance in the Champions League and boost their chances of landing big transfers for the next season.
Worst Case
Swansea fall out of the top 10, failing to take crucial victories against some of the top clubs in the Premier League. But the Swans remain good enough to avoid relegation, finishing 12th in the league standings.
Complete Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time |
|---|---|---|
| August 8 | at Chelsea | 12:30 PM ET |
| August 15 | vs Newcastle United | 10:00 AM ET |
| August 22 | at Sunderland | 10:00 AM ET |
| August 30 | vs Manchester United | 11:00 AM ET |
| September 12 | at Watford | 10:00 AM ET |
| September 19 | vs Everton | 10:00 AM ET |
| September 26 | at Southampton | 10:00 AM ET |
| October 3 | vs Tottenham | 10:00 AM ET |
| October 17 | vs Stoke | 10:00 AM ET |
| October 24 | at Aston Villa | 10:00 AM ET |
| October 31 | vs Arsenal | 11:00 AM ET |
| November 7 | at Norwich | 10:00 AM ET |
| November 21 | vs Bournemouth | 10:00 AM ET |
| November 28 | at Liverpool | 10:00 AM ET |
| December 5 | vs Leicester City | 10:00 AM ET |
| December 12 | at Manchester City | 10:00 AM ET |
| December 19 | vs West Ham | 10:00 AM ET |
| December 26 | vs West Brom | 10:00 AM ET |
| December 28 | at Crystal Palace | 10:00 AM ET |
| January 2 | at Manchester United | 10:00 AM ET |
| January 12 | vs Sunderland | 2:45 PM ET |
| January 16 | vs Watford | 10:00 AM ET |
| January 23 | at Everton | 10:00 AM ET |
| February 2 | at West Brom | 3:00 PM ET |
| February 6 | vs Crystal Palace | 10:00 AM ET |
| February 13 | vs Southampton | 10:00 AM ET |
| February 27 | at Tottenham | 10:00 AM ET |
| March 1 | at Arsenal | 2:45 PM ET |
| March 5 | vs Norwich | 10:00 AM ET |
| March 12 | at Bournemouth | 10:00 AM ET |
| March 19 | vs Aston Villa | 10:00 AM ET |
| April 2 | at Stoke | 10:00 AM ET |
| April 9 | vs Chelsea | 10:00 AM ET |
| April 16 | at Newcastle United | 10:00 AM ET |
| April 23 | at Leicester City | 10:00 AM ET |
| April 30 | vs Liverpool | 10:00 AM ET |
| May 7 | at West Ham | 10:00 AM ET |
| May 15 | vs Manchester City | 10:00 AM ET |
Writer’s Prediction
It only gets better for Swansea. The Swans finish seventh to qualify for the Europa League. Create a betting account now and grab the best odds and lines for the biggest soccer leagues around the world.
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