Swansea v Manchester City Tip

The bookies are assuming it will be three points as usual for leaders Manchester City on Sunday, but it will surely be one their sternest tests in the league for some time. Swansea City have actually lost fewer games at the Liberty Stadium (2) than Mancini’s side have on their travels (3). Only Liverpool have drawn more games on their own patch than the Swans; I can see the spoils being shared again in this one at best odds of 3/1 with Boylesports.

The Citizens were on a run of six winning games in a row before they slipped up 1-0 at Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League on Thursday night. Mancini will be disappointed that having fielded a strong side they face a second leg deficit and a tricky fixture in south Wales swiftly after returning from Portugal. The calf injury sustained by Vincent Kompany may have ramifications for the title race and most immediately against Swansea.

Brendan Rodgers’ side have already shown their ability to raise their game to the required levels against the big guns. Arsenal were beaten at the Liberty Stadium while Chelsea escaped with a point courtesy of a last minute deflected equaliser. Man City are better than those two, but shorn of their best defender, a draw might even be a reasonable result. It would be described as two points dropped, but Swansea’s home record suggests it should be regarded as one gained if it happens.