Swansea V Man City at Liberty Stadium : Match Preview

03 May 2013 15:01
Swansea V Man City - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Flores concern for Swans

Chico Flores is an injury doubt for Swansea's clash with Manchester City.

The Spanish defender suffered bruising to his arm in training earlier this week, but Michael Laudrup is hopeful of having his first-choice centre-half available.

Winger Roland Lamah has been ruled out with a hamstring injury.

After a season littered with memorable moments - none more so than Capital One Cup success at Wembley - Swansea are stuttering in sight of the finish line and have gone six games without a win.

And not many will fancy Michael Laudrup's side to repeat their famous win of last season over Roberto Mancini's men on Saturday.

But goalkeeper Michel Vorm believes recent performances have not been as bad as results suggest, and victory is possible if the Welsh club rediscover their touch in front of goal, having scored just four goals during their recent slump.

"We have played against good opponents, including three sides in the top five, but it's hard to put your finger on why results have not gone our way, we haven't been playing that badly," he said.

"We have been unlucky in the final third, we have created opportnities and we have not taken them.

"Against the top teams when they create chances most of the time they take them, and if you don't take yours you lose the game.

"It also makes it hard for the defence to always have to try and keep a clean sheet.

"When we played Tottenham, they had two chances and took them, and we missed some we would normally score.

"It shows the quality the top teams have and what we need to improve on."

Swansea lost 1-0 at the Etihad Stadium earlier this season, but Vorm hopes home advantage can give his side the edge.

He said: "We know they are a side with so much quality with players like Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri, but at home we can beat anybody and we have shown that in the past.

"We beat them here last season and maybe they were stronger then than they are now.

"If we can perform for 90 minutes, not just 45 or 60, we can win."

Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart has been passed fit.

The England international suffered a back injury in last Saturday's victory over West Ham.

City otherwise have no injury or suspensions with striker Sergio Aguero and midfielders David Silva and James Milner having returned from hamstring problems against the Hammers.

Theappears to have little riding on it with Roberto Mancini's men appearing secure in second place and looking ahead to the FA Cup final.

Mancini said: "If we win we can have a chance to play the young players, also the players who play for the second team, maybe, can play for the last two games.

"For us, it could be important for the future.

"Swansea had a very good season last year and they have continued to play very well. They won a trophy, which for them is very important.

"They can play without a problem and for this reason can be very dangerous."




Source: PA