Norling: Swans are favourites

31st July

Malmo manager Rikard Norling insists the Swans are "strong favourites" in their Europa League opener at the Liberty Stadium on Thursday (7.45pm).
Norling guided his team to a ruthless 7-0 rout at Hibernian in the last round, progressing 9-0 on aggregate, while they are currently second in the Swedish top flight having just past the halfway stage.
The Swans, meanwhile, go into their first competitive game after a successful pre-season in which they won all seven games.
Swans boss Michael Laudrup has suggested the tie is in the balance due to the Swedish side's advantage in having already played half of their domestic campaign.
But Norling insists the Capital One Cup holders are the side everyone expects to progress.
"They are strong favourites," said Norling at Malmo's press conference at the Liberty on Wednesday night.
"They play in the best league in the world - they finished ninth last season and won one of the cups - and they have added more top signings.
"It's difficult to say it's just another game when you are playing Swansea. It is going to be a special night here on Thursday."