It’s on, like Donkey Swan.
United travel to the Land of my Fathers this Sunday in search of points to keep them at least six clear of City at Christmas. Michu and co. will be confident of upsetting Ferguson’s cohort at the Liberty Stadium as they are evolving their impressive debut season in the Premier League into a successful second season. Europe may even beckon?
Team News
Both teams are being blessed with Christmas cheer for this weekend’s clash. United are looking to hand captain, Nemanja Vidic, his first start since the Mayan calendar run out and are hoping to bring back Rafael from a hamstring rest against Sunderland. Further good news comes in the shape of Shinji Kagawa potentially returning.
Swansea, for their part, are set to welcome back Vorm, Hernandez and Angel.
United look set to continue with De Gea in goal with the aforementioned Rafael in contention to come in at right back. Vidic and Ferdinand could start alongside each other but Ferguson may prefer to afford Vidic the safety net of a pair younger legs alongside him for his return so we could see Smalling, Evans or Jones in the middle. Evra should start at left back.
Ashley Young will aspire to continue his impressive recent form on the left and Valencia will feel confident of starting. Carrick, Kagawa, Cleverley, Anderson and Fletcher will all fancy a run out in midfield and I’m tipping Carrick and Cleverley to start. Kagawa is likely to come off the bench later in the game.
Rooney and Van Persie are very likely to lead the line as Ferguson has stated his admiration for Swansea and will not see this as a game to tinker too much with selection.
Match Prediction
A trip to Swansea is not as easy as it would have been once considered. They play attractive, flowing football and their football actually suits fixtures such as this one. Against United, a team that like to play football themselves, Swansea could excel. United will need to harangue the Swansea players and ensure that they don’t have time on the ball. If United do that then they should win this fixture with relative comfort. A 2-1 or 3-1 win will see fans make the trip north with plenty of festive cheer.
Match odds
• United to win 3-1 @ 11/1
• Michu to score and Swansea to win @8/1
• Vidic to score anytime @8/1
• Vidic to score first and United to win 3-1 @265/1
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