Swansea City host Manchester United in week two of Premier League action, with the visitors heavy favorites and rightfully so. United were the story of week one as they put in the most impressive performance of any side by a wide margin. It was the best we’ve seen the Red Devils play since the Sir Alex era.
The Swans, on the other hand, were lucky to escape St. Mary’s with a point as Southampton thoroughly outplayed them by couldn’t kill the game in a 0-0 draw.
Odds: Paddy Power gives Manchester United are 1/3 for a win and 7/2 for a draw. Swansea City are backed at 9/1.
Man United Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Side notes: You have to see this bizarre, almost creepy advertisement which features several United players. Also, Romelu Lukaku topped the NBC Sports Premier League power rankings for week one. For Swansea City, the major storyline revolves last year’s top scorer Fernando Llorente, who broke his arm in a cycling accident last month. He’s returned to training now, but will be out for this one.
Player to watch: Paul Pogba
He had a goal in week one, and afterwards, gave a very interesting interview in which he said that he left United a child, and returned a man. This is the season he starts living up to his transfer fee and shuts down all the critics with his play.
He’ll thrive in a number 10 role supporting center forward Romelu Lukaku, as he will continue to get great service from holding midfielder and playmaker supreme Nemanja Matic.
Injuries:
United- Ashley Young, Marcos Rojo and Luke Shaw, all of whom have long term injuries, are unavailable for selection. Here’s a link to what Rojo posted on his Instagram account yesterday, giving a quasi-update on his rehabilitation.
Swansea City- Fernando Llorente is likely out, Nathan Dyer and Ryan Blair are long-term absentees.
Suspensions: none
Prediction: Manchester United 2, Swansea City 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV.
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