Swansea to make Man Utd work for a win at Liberty Stadium
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That Manchester United are only 6/5 match favourites with Coral, rather than odds-on, to defeat Swansea City on their travels speaks volumes about just how far Garry Monk’s men have progressed in such a short space of time.
The Welsh club took the spoils home and away with a perfect pair of Premier League victories against the Mancunians last season, and will be dreaming of doing another double over the Old Trafford outfit again.
“There is plenty of motivation for the players after our two wins last season and we’ll use that going into this game. We will probably have to produce our best performance of the season so far to come away with the result,” manager Monk told press.
Having won three of their past five fixtures across all competitions against the Red Devils, the Swans are 27/10 to steal the spoils in front of a home crowd that will undoubtedly be in full song at Liberty Stadium. Those previous trio of triumphs all ended 2-1 in the south Wales side’s favour, so back that repeat result again at an excellent 11/1.
With points snatched off champions Chelsea already, Man Utd should hold no fear for Monk’s team on home turf. French frontman Bafetimbi Gomis is 2/1 to grab a goal anytime, having clocked up three in as many matches this season, or 7/1 to strike first.
Midfield maestros Gylfi Sigurdsson (4/1 in the anytime market) and Ki Sung-Yueng, poised to return to the starting line-up, hit three of the Swans’ four goals against Louis van Gaal’s side last term. Yet, the creative stars for Monk so far are Andrew Ayew (2/1), Jonjo Shelvey and Jefferson Montero.
Swansea certainly have the potency to pose their guests problems, but Man Utd have notably kept three successive Premier League clean sheets despite the absence of top stopper David de Gea.
In fact, the Red Devils have conceded just once across all competitions this season, with a Michael Carrick own goal the only breach of a bullish backline boosted by a commanding Chris Smalling and new right back buy Matteo Darmian. So, United could be well worth a 17/10 chance for another shut out, or 13/5 to win to nil.
Van Gaal’s issues have so far revolved around attack but, following a midweek battering of Club Brugges, the Dutchman will be hoping his frontmen have finally clicked.
Wayne Rooney’s hat-trick in Belgium means the skipper is 5/1 to fill his boots with a brace or better again, while wing threat Memphis Depay is a great value 7/4 to smash a strike past the Swans anytime, or 7/1 to be first on the scoresheet.
Battering ram Marouane Fellaini is also available again following a league ban, while under-appreciated Ander Herrera hit one against Monk and co last campaign and, after also bagging in Belgium, is 12/1 to finish the scoring if given a shot.
Betting tip: Rooney’s nose for goal has returned so the captain is 5/1 to score two or more
