Swansea City v Sunderland: Can the Black Cats maul the Swans?
Nine years ago, Swansea City opened up their league campaign with three wins on the bounce. This weekend they can equal that achievement, but this one would mean so much more, as nine years ago the Swans were in the fourth tier of English football - not in the Premier League.
Swansea City have defied the critics once again and Michael Laudrup's men will go top with a victory over Sunderland. So much for being a difficult second season in the top flight!
However, Sunderland will be no walk overs for the Swans. Martin O'Neill's side held Arsenal to a draw at the Emirates on the opening day of the season and has signed Scottish striker Steven Fletcher from Wolves and Adam Johnson from Sunderland, both of whom will give the Black Cats extra bite up front.
Swansea and Sunderland, whose game with Reading last weekend was cancelled, played out a goalless draw at the Liberty last season but with the likes of Dyer and Michu, Johnson and Fletcher on the pitch, I can't see another stalemate here.
Sunderland's last win at Swansea came in 1963 - one of only three in history. This will be only the seventh top flight meeting between the two sides and Swansea currently have the edge with three wins to Sunderland's one, but will the Swans be able to keep up their 100 per cent winning start or will the Black Cats maul the Swans?
Our pundits believe it will be another great day for the hosts.
Swansea City v Sunderland; Kick Off 3pm September 1 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Shub Chaterjee |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
1 |
V |
2 |
|
Man United |
Alex Richert |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
1 |
Panel Verdict
Our pundits are going for a home win.
Home: 21; Draw: 10; Away: 2. TBA 1
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
Related Articles:
Sunderland: Can Fletcher, Johnson and Saha shine at the Stadium of Light?
Swansea City: Rangel and Dyer are in, but who else made our Team of the Week?
Predict the Premier League: Who is our top pundit?
Predict the Premier League: Who is our top expert?
