Manchester United are coming off a huge 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Premier League, and they have strengthened their grip in the second place of the standings. They will try to take another step towards maintaining that position on Saturday, when they play host to a struggling Swansea side that has spent most of the season troubled with relegation. The game kicks off at 15:00 BST, and United will try to extend their positive run of results against the Welsh side.
Team News
Jose Mourinho announced a couple of new regarding the list of absentees ahead of this game. The defensive line will get a massive boost since both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are ready to return. In fact, Rojo played during Argentina’s 1-6 thrashing against Spain so he is ready to feature down the stretch. One name that won’t be available, however, is Sergio Romero. The goalkeeper suffered an injury against Spain, and has already been ruled out. The same goes for Daley Blind, while Ashley Young is dealing with a knock and will be a game-time decision. Ander Herrera and Scott McTominay have been listed as doubtful, but both should be elegible to play.
Meanwhile, Carlos Carvalhal’s Swansea have several doubtful players. Angel Rangel, Leroy Fer and Wilfried Bony will be game-time decisions for the Portuguese tactician. One player that might return to the side is Renato Sanches, the Bayern Munich midfielder on loan at the Liberty Stadium, who has not made the expected impact for the Welsh side. Jordan Ayew won’t be available either since he is suspended. This basically means Swansea will be quite depleted on the attacking end.
Form Guide
Manchester United’s form needs to be separated in two separate contexts. Even though they got eliminated from the UEFA Champions League after losing to Sevilla at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho’s men were riding a good run of results prior to that shocking defeat. The Red Devils were coming off a convincing 2-1 against Liverpool the last time out in the Premier League. They have had four wins in the past five EPL games as well, settling themselves in second place in the standings. Their FA Cup form has been quite good as well, as they remain unbeaten and are in the semifinals already. Considering Manchester City are all but set to become champions, it would be fair to call United as “the best of the rest” so far.
On the other hand, Swansea have dealt with inconsistencies all season long. But there is no question they look like a whole new team since Carvalhal’s arrival. The Welsh side jumped all the way up to 14th place in the standings, and right now they have a three-point cushion against the relegation zone. That’s not enough to feel comfortable, but it is a massive improvement considering how they started the season. For what is worth, they have had decent results of late as well. They have just one loss in their past five EPL matches, registering two wins and two draws as well. That kind of form will surely allow them to avoid relegation once everything is said and done.
Prediction
United certainly look like the stronger side here, and recent results back them up. Even though Swansea has experienced a turnaround since Carvalhal’s arrival, it won’t be enough to take United down. I expect The Red Devils to come away with the three points.
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