Opposing views: Manchester City vs Swansea fan preview
Manchester City entertain a struggling Swansea City side on Saturday afternoon, with The Citizens coming off the back of an encouraging mid-week victory in the Champions League. The Etihad outfit are bemoaning the sheer number of injuries their squad is currently suffering, but will this be enough to give Swansea a chance to stun the home crowd? The Welsh side have recently parted company with Garry Monk but without a new permanent manager in place to fill the void, will the players be able muster up sufficient determination to defeat a powerful Manchester City team? Here’s what two of our followers had to say.
The hosts: Manchester City – Jake Wharmby
Hi – I’m Jake, a second year English student and a lifelong MCFC fan.
Last weekend’s 2-0 loss to Stoke City was a low point in our season, with tired legs and an increasingly long injury list being the problems cited by manager Manuel Pellegrini. We’re now third in the league so we will need to be at our best in the coming weeks to take points off league leaders Leicester City – who are now 3 points ahead – and second placed Arsenal.
Recent form
We go into this weekend’s match at home to Swansea City on the back of a thrilling 4-2 win against Borussia Mochengladbach in our final Champions league group game. The blues went in at half time 2-1 down but a Raheem Sterling brace in the 79th and 81st minute pushed the home side on to win and top our ‘group of death’ ahead of Juventus.
Manager approval rating – 8/10
Manuel Pellegrini has – so far – been apathetic regarding the rumours surrounding Pepe Guardiola’s contract stalemate, and they clearly haven’t affected the Chilean. The result at the Britannia was a blip on the radar but a long injury list hasn’t been the best help. His double signing of Raheem Sterling and Kevin de Bruyne has been a revelation and he’s a popular man around the Etihad.
Predicted starting line up
Yaya Touré made in back in time for Tuesday’s Champions league game and Sergio Aguero could make this weekend’s game but our captain Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabaleta are still a couple of a weeks away from full match fitness.
We will look to name a similar 4-2-3-1 line-up from midweek, with Fabian Delph possibly dropping to the bench and Yaya sitting next to Fernandinho in centre midfield. David Silva; now fit again, will play behind the striker with Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling either side. Wilfried Bony will be hopeful to start against his old club after a goal and an assist versus Borussia Mochengladbach ahead of the increasingly popular Kelechi Iheanacho.
Player to watch: David Silva
Now fit again, our creator-in-chief David Silva will look to make his mark on the Premier League once again – following last weekend’s match to forget – against a Swansea team that look to be in turmoil having shipped 10 goals in their last 5 league games, with manager Gary Monk’s position apparently under threat. Silva’s midweek goal should give him the confidence to go ahead and make a proper mark on this weekend’s match at the Etihad.
Most feared opposition player: Andre Ayew
The goals have dried up from striker Bafetembi Gomis and Andre Ayew looks to be the next credible threat from the Swans. He hasn’t managed to find the next in his last 2 games but could cause problems if he runs at a Vincent Kompany-less back four. Closing up the space in midfield will be a top priority but Fernandinho has been a revelation at CDM this season so hopefully this won’t be too much of an issue.
Prediction
Without a win and only 2 goals in their last 5 games, Swansea look to be in trouble. City need to get back on top following last weekend’s loss to Stoke and their midweek comeback against Mochengladbach should see them through. David Silva is fit again and City are a different animal with him in the side, but our captain and talisman Kompany will still be watching from the stands, so a clean sheet is unlikely. Expect a convincing City win with a late away goal – 4-1.
You can follow Jake on Twitter here: @jakewharmby
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The visitors: Swansea – James Felton
I am James Felton and a passionate Swansea fan, who has missed every game this season since he is studying History at Leeds University.
Recent Form
Undoubtedly our recent form has been nothing short of abysmal, having won only one game in twelve. The defence fell apart against Leicester City on the weekend, and the players are simply not putting in performances.
Manager approval rating – N/A
Well, this is slightly awkward, as Garry Monk was sacked on the afternoon of writing. All of the Swansea fans, as with Huw Jenkins and the board, are reluctant to have seen him go, but there is no place for sentiment when we are playing the way that we are. For his overall contribution and years of service for the club, one can only love Monk and hope he finds a new club quickly.
Predicted line-up
Well, without Garry Monk, it will be interested to see who features in our starting eleven, in an extremely tough game away at Manchester City. The safe choice will be to stick with some of the regular performers from recent weeks, with Andre Ayew and Gylfi Sigurdsson perhaps holding the key to potentially unlocking The Citizens’ defence.
Player to watch: Jefferson Montero
For his sheer speed and dribbling ability. Perhaps he is best used coming off the bench, but with Bacary Sagna’s form been highlighted as a possible weakness by Jamie Carragher on MNF, he will not be looking forward to facing the flying Ecuadorian international.
Most feared opposition player: Sergio Aguero, Joe Hart and David Silva.
I simply can’t split these three superstars of the modern game, On his day, Sergio Aguero is perhaps the best player in the league. Joe Hart made a truly world-class save at the Liberty last season, and is fantastic. Swansea won’t be expecting many chances to score, and even when they do, they still have him to beat. David Silva is a sublime player, with creativity and flair.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Swansea. Normally I am optimistic surrounding our chances, but not this time.
You can follow James on Twitter here: @Jamesfootball40
Featured Image: All rights reserved by Gary Chatterton
