Manchester United v Swansea City: The champions are tipped to maul the Swans
Manchester United lost the upper hand in the title race to City on Monday night, but by the time United and Swansea kick off here on Sunday the champions could well be back in the driving seat thanks to Newcastle United.
Manchester City lead the race for the Premier League title by just eight goals, thanks to Vincent Kompany's towering header. But if they fail to beat Alan Pardew's Mags at St James' Park in the lunchtime kick-off, United will have control of their own destiny. However, after recent defeats to Wigan and City and dropping points at Old Trafford to Everton, who is to say that Swansea are just going to roll over and die against United?
For years Swansea fans have dreamed of returning to places like Old Trafford. The proud Welsh side spent years in the wilderness until Brendan Rodgers secured promotion last season, and they have more than held their own in the top flight. Their expansive style of football has been compared to Barcelona, and we all know how United have fared against Spanish teams recently. Could Swans-elona stun the champions at home?
This will be only the 18th ever meeting between the two sides and you'll not be too surprised to learn that Swansea have never won at Old Trafford. Manchester United became the first away team to win at the Liberty Stadium this season thanks to an early Hernandez goal and a glaring miss from Scott Sinclair. The Swans' early success was down to their impregnable home form, but more recently they have started to win on the road too, which will give them hope.
Sir Alex Ferguson will have been raging at his players following their display at the Etihad. It's unthinkable for a United side not to register a single shot on target during a game, but goal difference could be the clincher this season. They will go out to batter Swansea from the off, but that could leave Dyer, Allen and Graham room to exploit the gaps at the back.
In a season of so many twists and turns and shock results, who would bet against Swansea from leaving United's title dreams in tatters? Well, looking at our pundits' predictions, actually quite a lot. It looks as though the title race will be going right down to the final day.
Manchester United v Swansea City; Kick Off 4pm May 6 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Don McMahon |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Blackburn |
Terry Kennedy |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton |
Dave Blackburn |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Liverpool |
Mark Williams |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Man Utd |
Peter Lee |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Newcastle |
Michael Stout |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich City |
Sue Read |
4 |
V |
1 |
|
QPR |
Arjun Swaminathan |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Stoke City |
Philip Eccleston |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Tottenham |
Mike Richards |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim White |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Wigan |
Alan Moore |
4 |
V |
0 |
|
Wolves |
Chris Cox |
5 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Phil Bundy |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
5 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Matt Turner |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Villa fan |
Lynette Ranson |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Blackpool fan |
Phil Trow |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
5 |
V |
1 |
|
Fulham fan |
Russell Goldman |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
3 |
V |
0 |
|
West Ham fan |
Matthew Beeby |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
Panel Verdict
Manchester United are going to pile the pressure on City.
Home: 30; Draw: 0; Away: 2. TBA 4
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear your views.
