Prediction: Manchester City vs Swansea

Verdict: Manchester City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmakers: William Hill

Premier League champions welcome struggling Swansea to the Etihad for the first home game since winning the title. The Cityzens have stormed to glory, breaking all sorts of records on their way, and now they will play with even more freedom. The Swans meanwhile are still in danger of being relegated and could do with a positive result here to give themselves some breathing room.

Manchester City

Following Manchester United’s shock defeat to West Brom last weekend, City were crowned Premier League champions in slightly anticlimactic fashion. Nobody can take anything away from Pep Guardiola’s side however as they have been simply astonishing this season, breaking all sorts of records and breezing to the title. With just two defeats all season long, a whopping 93 goals scored and just 25 conceded in 33 matches, the Cityzens have been a statistical and on-pitch powerhouse, tearing teams apart and registering ludicrous possession statistics.

When teams win the title before the end of the season it often goes one of two ways. Either they have an extended party and give up caring about their results, or they play with even more freedom and blow teams out for fun. The latter seems more likely with this Manchester City team, especially with Guardiola at the helm, which is bad news for Swansea. City have recently bounced back from their run of poor form with a 1-3 away win over Tottenham and will be looking to go out and enjoy themselves this weekend.

Team News

In defence John Stones is a major doubt due to a groin injury, while Benjamin Mendy remains side-lined.

Elsewhere Fernandinho is suspended and Sergio Aguero will likely miss out due to a knee issue.

Swansea 

Contrary to the success of Manchester City, the Swans are hovering dangerously close to the relegation zone. In fact they are just four points above 18^th place Southampton, with five games left to play. This is their game in hand over the three teams below them however so a positive result here would really give Carlos Carvalhal’s men a boost. The issue however is that wins have been hard to come by this season, with just eight from their 33 games, along with 16 defeats. Their issues have come in front of goal, having netted just 27 all season, which is the joint lowest tally in the league.

The are positives for the Swansea faithful however, on top of the aforementioned game in hand. The Swans have the best defensive record in the bottom half of the table, with 46 goals conceded during this campaign, and that strength could allow them to grind out narrow wins or draws, allowing them to cling onto survival. Whether that will be possible against a Manchester City side that rarely participates in tight games remains to be seen, but Swansea could certainly be in a far worse position than that which they currently find themselves in.

Team News

Angel Rangel has a groin injury, while Sam Clucas (knee), Leroy Fer (achilles), Luciano Narsingh (ankle) and Renato Sanches (hamstring) are all doubts.

Elsewhere Wilfried Bony is the only other absentee due to an ankle issue.

Key Factors to Consider

• Manchester City have won 28 of their 33 Premier League games this season.
• The Cityzens have scored 93 goals in 33 games during this campaign.
• Swansea have won just eight league games this season and have lost 16.
• The Swans have also conceded 46 goals this season.
• The last meeting between these two sides ended in a 0-4 win for Manchester City.

Conclusion

With the Premier League title already wrapped up and the celebrations beginning, Manchester City should be able to play with even more freedom and enjoyment than they have been this season. That could be bad news for Swansea, who have been struggling all season, and I can see this game being a high-scoring affair.

Verdict: Manchester City to Win and Over 2.5 Goals

Best Odds: 4/11

Bookmakers: William Hill