Verdict: HT/FT Home win
Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Manchester City end their Premier League campaign with a trip to Swansea, eager to remain undefeated and pip Manchester United to the last remaining Champions League berth. Visit to Liberty Stadium will be Manuel Pellegrini’s final game at helm of Manchester City and the Chilean will be keen to part ways with the Citizens on a high.
Swansea
The Swans head into the final match of the Premier League season sitting comfortably in the middle of the table, with 46 points to their name and nothing to fear for against Manchester City. It hasn’t exactly been a good season for Francesco Guidolin’s side, but the closure of the season has provided some positives that will allow the Italian manager to build up for the next campaign. The 60-year-old manager was brought in on a six-month contract after Alan Curtis’ temporary spell with the club in relegation zone and the Italian did manage to get the team back to safety and in front of a chance for a top half finish. Swansea recorded seven wins and three draws of Gidolin’s 15 games in charge and the fans will be delighted to hear that Guidolin has agreed a two-year extension to his current deal. Swansea will need to be active during the summer market in order to build a more competitive team and rumour is that Guidolin is keen to offer Manchester City striker Wilfried Bony a chance to make a return to Liberty Stadium, which would be an end to Bony’s nightmare at the Etihad.
Team News
Swansea City are welcoming Manchester City in understrength as team’s skipper Ashley Williams is ruled out with injury, as he continues his recovery in order to get ready for the Euros.
Lukasz Fabianski has also been given a rest, while Gylfi Sigurdsson and Neil Taylor are both set to miss the game with respective knocks.
Manchester City
It is Manuel Pellegrini’s final game in charge as the Chilean tactician prepares to make way for Pep Guardiola. Pellegrini has paid the foundations, but the Spaniard will still be faced with a difficult task of getting Citizens competing for honours next season. Former Barcelona and current Bayern Munich manager will at least, as things stand, have his team compete in the Champions League as Citizens only need a point against Swansea. Manchester City are coming off from a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, but Manchester United’s midweek loss at West Ham has put a smile back on Citizens’ faces since their team remains two points ahead of the local rivals at the Premier League standings. Manchester City thus travel to Swansea without a great deal of pressure, knowing that their destiny is in their own hands. Positive record against Swansea of six wins in last seven meetings serves as an encouraging detail ahead of the Saturday’s match.
Team News
Man City captain Vincent Kompany has suffered a fresh thigh blow against Arsenal, a blow that ruled him out of the Euro 2016.
Aleksandar Kolarov, David Silva, Pablo Zabaleta and Samir Nasri were all absent from the Sunday’s draw and are likely to miss the final game of the 2015/16 Premier League season.
Key Factors to Consider
- Swansea are looking for their 5th consecutive home win
- Man City on verge of 6th consecutive top four finish
- Citizens won 6 of their last 7 games with Swans
- Swansea are unbeaten in 10 of Guidolin’s 15 games in charge
- Manuel Pellegrini is having his last-ever game in charge of Man City
Conclusion
Swansea City are faced with a possible top half finish if they record a positive score against Manchester City, but the players will not be too preoccupied as their team is in the clear and that is the most important thing this season. Manchester City, on the other side, need a point to lock their Champions League place, but they are likely to go strong from the off and prove a point to their closest competition, Manchester United.
Verdict: HT/FT Home win
Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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