Prediction: Swansea v Arsenal



Verdict: Arsenal

Best Odds: 9/20

Bookmaker: bet365

Swansea will be desperate to win at home having lost their last two home against West Ham and Bournemouth. However, it’s Arsenal who head into the game in better spirits of the two sides having had to come back from 1-0 down to Preston to get a well deserved 2-1 win.

Swansea

Swansea have been really struggling this season both home and away and consequently are in the relegation zone just above Hull City who beat them in the FA Cup third round. Since the 3rd of December the Swans have only won one home game, with that coming against Crystal Palace who incidentally are lurking close to the relegation zone. Swansea sacked Bob Bradley after 11 games in charge and replaced him with Paul Clement. Swansea will face a tough task against an in form Arsenal side but will be given confidence that they put it up to Arsenal last season by winning 2-1 at the Emirates, the second fixture Arsenal won 3-2 in an entertaining encounter, so they will have nothing to fear going into the tie with Arsene Wenger’s side.

Team News

Swansea have a clean bill of health the choose from for this game. However, one notable injury is that of left back Neil Taylor who fractured his cheek bone in training on Wednesday morning. Taylor is expected to undergo surgery in the coming days where more news of the length of time he will be out for will be known.



Arsenal 

Arsenal Wenger would have been delighted with his side’s performance in the FA Cup third round win over Preston last weekend. His side are in good form and are currently in 5th place in the overall standings. Alexis Sanchez has been in fine form for the Gunners and in 20 appearances he has scored 13 goals in the Premier League. Arsenal will know that travelling to the Liberty Stadium will be tough and although they are strong favourites for the game past statistics say that this match will be close. The Gunners will be aware that Swansea are capable of an upset which proved to be the case last year when the Swans travelled to the Emirates and won 2-1.

Team News

Arsenal are set for a triple injury boost with Hector Bellerin (ankle), Mesut Ozil (illness) and Kieran Gibbs (knee) all set to return to action. However, in midfield Wenger will have to plan without French international Francois Coequelin (hamstring) and Santi Cazorla (achilles). England international Theo Walcott is also said to be a slight doubt with a calf muscle injury. In defence Mathieu Debuchy is also set to return, while Per Mertesacker is set to spend another month on the sidelines.

Key Factors to Consider

• Swansea have just one win in their last five Premier League games
• Arsenal have only lost 1 of their last five Premier League fixtures
• Swansea have lost 3 of last 4 home matches against Arsenal in the Premier League
• Arsenal have averaged 2 goals per game at the Liberty Stadium the past 5 seasons
• Three or more goals were scored in 6 of their last 7 meetings

Conclusion

Swansea are going through a difficult patch at the minute and we don’t think they have what it takes to prevent Arsenal from winning at the Liberty Stadium. Arsenal will have the returning Ozil who is a playmaker and his passing range is sure to drag the Swansea defence around the park, hence we are backing Arsene Wenger’s side  for another Premier League win at the Liberty Stadium.

Verdict: Arsenal

Best Odds: 9/20

Bookmaker: bet365