da luck： Swansea’s unbeaten record at the Liberty Stadium will come under extreme threat on Saturday evening as they prepare to host Premier League champions Manchester United.
da realsbet： Brendan Rodgers side have won three and drawn two of their five games at home but will face arguably their toughest test of the season so far when Sir Alex Ferguson’s Red Devil’s come to town. The Swans have enjoyed a sterling campaign so far confounding the critics who tipped them to rock bottom and struggling to compete in the top flight. It couldn’t be any different though as the club have matched up to some of the leagues biggest clubs narrowly losing away at Arsenal and Chelsea whilst securing a memorable 0-0 draw against Liverpool at Anfield before the international break. It’s their form at the Liberty Stadium that has been most impressive though with 11 of their 13 coming on home soil whilst the defence has been breached just the once on their own patch. Welsh international’s Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor have been consistent members of the back four alongside Spanish full back Angel Rangel putting in some exceptional displays and the trio will relish coming up against the likes of Wayne Rooney and co. It’s not just in defence that the Swans have impressed with the likes of Scott Sinclair, Joe Allen and Nathan Dyer being peppered with plaudits after their tremendous start to life in the Premier League. Rodgers has implemented a fluid, passing philosophy that plays to his sides strengths with the pace of Dyer and Sinclair down the flanks allowing them to exploit teams on the counter attack. Record signing Danny Graham has also played his part with four goals in his last five whilst at the other end Dutch keeper Michael Vorm has performed numerous heroics between the sticks including a wonder save at the death against Liverpool last time out.
Swansea’s resolve to maintain their strong home record will certainly be put to the test against a United side who are unbeaten on their travels and are still spoiling after their derby day humiliation at the end of October. That 6-1 thrashing at the hands of rivals City has been followed by a run of four wins in all competitions as they look to salvage a title challenge that already looks a lost cause. Pegging back their noisy neighbours is an unenviable task with the Blues building up a telling five point lead at the summit but if there is anyone that can do it’s Ferguson. The Scot celebrated 25-year’s in charge of the club two weeks ago seeing a stand at Old Trafford named in his honour before watching his side labour to a 1-0 win over Sunderland. Despite winning their last four performances have hardly been inspiring with their last two Premier League victories coming in the shape of 1-0 wins. It’s always said that churning out results regardless of how your team is playing is the hallmark of champions and its those hard fought wins that could be the difference at the end of the season. However Ferguson will certainly be demanding a better display from his side as they make the long trip to Wales to take on the mid-table Swans. Injuries to several key players may force the United boss into rejigging his side with Javier Hernandez expected to be partnered with Rooney up front with the England striker searching for his first league goal since scoring against Chelsea in mid-September.
Swansea – 10th
Last Five
Drew 0-0 v Liverpool (A), Won 3-1 v Bolton (H), Drew 2-2 v Wolves (A), Lost 3-1 v Norwich (A), Won 2-0 v Stoke (H)
Potential Starting X11
1. M. Vorm 22. R. Angel 2. A. Williams 16. G. Monk [C] 3. N. Taylor 27. M. Gower 24. J. Allen 7. L. Britton 12. N. Dyer 11. S. Sinclair 10. D. Graham*
Injury News
No new injury worries for Rodgers with Alan Tate the only long-term absentee. The Swans boss could have striker Stephen Dobbie and on-loan defender Steven Caulker back although it’s thought both will have to make do with a place on the bench.
Key Player
Danny Graham – A slow start to his career in Wales had some fans querying the clubs decision to splash £3.5 million on the former Watford man but four in his last five have dampened fears over his ability to cope in the Premier League. He’s looked deadly in front of goal during the past month but his striking aptitude will be put through a thorough examination against United.
Match Fact
This will be the first meeting between the sides at the Liberty Stadium with the Swans desperate to protect an unbeaten run at their former ground the Vetch field. They’ve won six and drawn two of the eight games since coming up against United for the first time in 1931.
Manchester United −2nd
Last Five
Won 1-0 v Sunderland (H), Won 2-0 v Otelul Galati (H), Won 1-0 v Everton (A), Won 3-0 v Aldershot (A), Lost 6-1 v Manchester City (H)
Potential Starting X11
1. D. de Gea 4. P. Jones 15. N. Vidic [C] 6. J. Evans 3. P. Evra 25. A. Valencia 24. D. Fletcher 16. M. Carrick 17. Nani 14. J. Hernandez 10. W. Rooney*
Injury News
Ferguson has a treatment room full of key players with Danny Wellbeck and Michael Owen ruled out after picking up injuries this week. Tom Cleverley is also struggling with a foot injury whilst defender Chris Smalling could return in a few weeks from an ankle problem.
Key Player
Wayne Rooney – Whilst the goals may have dried up for Rooney his influence on the field continues to grown for United. The England man has been deployed in central midfield in recent weeks with Ferguson desperate to inject some creativity into his engine room. It worked wonderfully with Rooney given time and space to display his god given talents on the ball but expect to see him back in his natural position and in the hunt for goals this week.
Match Fact
United’s record at Swansea is a shocking one having failed to register a single victory in eight attempts. However the last meeting between the sides before Saturday’s encounter ended in the Red Devil’s favour as they ran out 2-1 winners at Old Trafford back in 1983.
Last Time at the Vetch Field
Division One (old) 18th December 1982
Swansea City 0-0 Manchester United
Attendance: 15,748
Referee: Unknown
PREDICTION
Swansea’s strong home form will certainly stand them in good stead against United who are still licking their deep wounds after the thrashing they received from City. Their form on the road has been superb and the way they ground out a 1-0 in their last away trip at Everton is a measure of the Red Devil’s resolve. However they come up against a Swans side playing without fear and confidence in front of their own fans. The visitors will need their big hitters all firing if they are to overcome Rodgers’ side who will be going all out to provide the Premier League with shock win this weekend.
Score: 1-1
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