Swansea have recorded back to back wins for the first time in the Premier League with victories over Newcastle and Aston Villa in the last two weeks. Those wins mean that the Welsh club are all but safe and will be playing top fight football for a fourth consecutive season. Teams often find it difficult to play European football and compete domestically and that seems to have been the case for the Swans this season. They have also suffered multiple injuries throughout the campaign with the likes of Michu, Nathan Dyer and Pablo Hernandez all missing sizeable chunks of the season. All these factors combine and hinder the smaller clubs so although they have dropped considerably in terms of points and league positions, survival with a couple of games to spare is an achievement in itself.
When previewing Southampton’s home game against Everton last week, I mentioned how they were on course for their best ever league position and points total but they needed a strong finish. They returned to winning ways and are now assured of a top ten finish, and one more point gained will see them secure eighth. Although it was two fortunate goals they benefited from, they looked controlled throughout and could have had more. They will be hoping they can build on that in their next couple of games after what had been a sticky period. Before they finish their season off at home to Manchester United, they face a trip to south Wales, at a ground where they have never won – losing three times and gaining one draw.
In spite of all of Swansea’s injury problems, one man who has been fit more often than not is Wilfried Bony. The Ivorian striker is coming to the end of his first season in English football and it’s one he can look back on fondly. His two goals last week were his 15th and 16th in the league and it means he has scored six goals in his last 11 games. Having been brought in for big money, he’s certainly looking like he’s value for it.
Southampton disposed of Swansea 2-0 when the two faced each other at St Mary’s back in October. It was two of Southampton’s English contingent who got the goals that day as Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez netted. The latter is of course ruled out for the rest of the season and the upcoming World Cup but Lallana is fully expected to be in the squad which is announced on May 12th.
The pressure is now off for Swansea and that was apparent in the second half of their match against Villa last week. Southampton all know that one point from their next two will mean they finish as high as they have ever done in the Premier League so I’m expecting an open and exciting match this weekend. Both clubs have a sound footballing philosophy and it should result in plenty of attacking play.
Over 2.5 20/23 @ Betvictor
