MX23RW : Monday, December 23 11:48:06| >> :120:11148:11148:
[monks data]
Swansea logo
Premier League
May 17, 2015 at 1.30pm UK
 
Manchester City logo

2-4

Sigurdsson (45'), Gomis (64')
FT(HT: 1-2)
Toure (21', 74'), Milner (36'), Bony (92')

Preview: Swansea City vs. Manchester City

Sports Mole takes a closer look at both sides as Manchester City prepare to visit Swansea City on Sunday afternoon.

Swansea City will look to continue their excellent campaign with a victory over last year's champions when they host Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Garry Monk's side are looking to keep alive their Europa League bid, while City are still in a battle for second spot with two games remaining.


Swansea City

Swansea boss Garry Monk on May 11, 2015© Getty Images

Before the start of the campaign, the doubters were tipping Swansea to be locked in a relegation battle under the guidance of rookie manager Garry Monk, but the squad soon proved that victory over Manchester United was not a fluke and they are in contention for Europa League qualification heading into the final two matches.

It has been another fantastic season for a club which deserves credit for the way it performs on and off the pitch, and their form in the Premier League has been good enough to keep Monk in the conversation for the Manager of the Year award.

If the former Swansea defender watches the award go to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, he is unlikely to feel too disappointed after guiding his team to their record points tally in the Premier League and the optimism is clear as he continues to build for the future.

Another impressive result arrived on Monday evening as Bafetimbi Gomis headed home the winner at the Emirates Stadium to clinch a league double over Arsenal, and despite Arsene Wenger's frustration, the stubborn defensive performance will surely have delighted Monk.

It was another display which proved the resilience of this group of players, and the victory moved them one point behind Southampton and two adrift of Tottenham Hotspur as the fans continue to dream of a top-six finish.

Europa League qualification would bring its own challenges for one of the smaller squads in the Premier League, but Monk is certain to embrace the test in the way he has done throughout the early stages of his managerial career.

One loss in seven games has put the pressure on the sides above them, and with just two games remaining, confidence could not be higher for a side which continues to defy the odds.

Recent form: WDLWWW


Manchester City

Sergio Aguero of Manchester City is congratulated by teammate David Silva of Manchester City after scoriing the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester City and Queens Park Rangers at the Etihad Stadium on May 10, 2015© Getty Images

In recent weeks it has felt like Manchester City have been taking out their frustration on the sides in front of them, and that was clear last weekend as they reverted to their free-flowing attacking game to relegate Queens Park Rangers with a 6-0 triumph.

The emphatic win made it four victories in a row for Manuel Pellegrini's side, but a fine run of results in the latter stages of the season is unlikely to soften the blow of a disappointing title defence.

However, there is still much to play for as City look to clinch second spot ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United, and after looking close to dropping out of the top four a couple of months back, that should come as some consolation to the club's supporters.

Throughout their struggles, Sergio Aguero's form has been consistent and the Argentine looks set to win the golden boot following his hat-trick against QPR, but even the forward will be hopeful of welcoming new teammates in the summer.

If City are to close the gap on Chelsea and improve their fortunes in the Champions League new recruits will certainly be needed, and recent reports have suggested that Paul Pogba and Kevin De Bruyne are the club's top targets.

It surely won't be a complete overhaul at the Etihad Stadium, but there are more than a couple of players who could be preparing for their final two games in a City shirt, and both the manager and players are certain to find out more about their futures in the coming weeks.

Recent form: LLWWWW


Team News

Wilfried Bony in action for Manchester City on February 21, 2015© Getty Images

Wilfried Bony will be hoping to make a bigger impact next season, but the Ivorian forward could be given a rare start this weekend when he returns to the club he left in the January transfer window.

Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure were fit enough to earn spots on the bench against QPR last weekend, and both players are likely to start in South Wales.

Swansea striker Gomis should make his first start in over a month after recovering from his hamstring injury to earn all three points for his side against Arsenal.

Angel Rangel was forced off on Monday night due to a hamstring injury, and the Spaniard could be replaced by Jazz Richards at right-back.

Swansea possible starting lineup:
Fabianski, Richards, Williams, Fernandez, Taylor, Cork, Shelvey, Dyer, Sigurdsson, Montero, Gomis

Man City possible starting lineup:
Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Mangala, Kolarov, Fernandinho, Toure, Milner, Silva, Bony, Aguero


Head To Head

Manchester City are unbeaten in their last five games against Swansea, and that run has included four wins. One of those victories came in the reverse fixture back in November when they claimed a 2-1 victory.

Bony scored one of his final Swansea goals in that defeat, and he scored both goals against his current employers when Swansea slipped to a 3-2 defeat at the Liberty Stadium last January.

Swansea's only Premier League win over Sunday's opponents came in March 2012, when Brendan Rodgers watched Luke Moore secure a 1-0 win for his side.


Video Preview

Hit play below to see what the Sports Mole Sofa had to say about this encounter:




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We say: Swansea City 1-1 Manchester City

Man City appear determined to finish the season strongly after falling short in their title race, but their bid for a fifth successive win could be halted by a confident Swansea side. Monk's team will approach the game positively after upsetting Arsenal and they will be hoping that a draw keeps their European dream alive.



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Manchester City's Chilean manager Manuel Pellegrini watches the action during the English Premier League football match between West Ham United and Manchester City at Upton Park in London on February 11, 2014
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