TALKING TACTICS: Swans v Manchester City

24th September

Ahead of Manchester City's visit to the Liberty today (3pm), we have partnered up with football stats experts WhoScored.com to preview the meeting with Pep Guardiola's side.

The two teams meet for the second time in the space of four days at the Liberty Stadium, with the hosts hoping to get revenge on Pep Guardiola's side following the 2-1 midweek EFL Cup defeat.
After naming a much-changed squad for the loss, Francesco Guidolin can be expected to revert to his strongest XI for Saturday's top-flight match-up, which will signal a return to the side for Gylfi Sigurdsson.
The Iceland international came off the bench to net late on against City in midweek to make it two goals from his last two home competitive appearances. Sigurdsson will now look to make it three successive goals from the last three matches at the Liberty Stadium.



While the 27-year-old has scored just two goals in eight appearances against the Citizens, both of those have come in his last three matches against City.
When he finds himself in space to go for goal, Sigurdsson is regularly effective from distance having developed a statistically-calculated WhoScored.com strength of 'long shots'. If City fail to close the attacker down, Sigurdsson has the goalscoring capability to test Claudio Bravo in the club's pursuit of goal.
It's not just Sigurdsson's goalscoring quality that poses a threat to City on Saturday, but also is ability to create chances for his team-mates.
Guardiola's side have developed a statistically-calculated WhoScored.com weakness of 'stopping opponents from creating chances'.
While City top the Premier League, they have still looked suspect at the back and have conceded a goal in seven of their last eight league outings, which included a 1-1 draw between the two sides on the final day of last season at the Liberty Stadium.



Provided Sigurdsson can maximise his WhoScored.com strength of 'key passes', the Icelander has the creative and goal getting ability to really trouble City.
The 2-1 Manchester Derby win proved how vulnerable City can be at the back, particularly if a more direct approach is implemented.
Fernando Llorente could lead the attack and should Swansea utilise the Spaniard's physical stature, Sigurdsson can capitalise on any knock downs to put the City defence to the sword.
The man tasked with hindering his impact for City is the impressive Fernandinho.
The Brazilian has been one of the club's most important players this season, with his performances yielding a WhoScored.com rating of 7.62 - the fourth best of all City players.
His tenacity and energy in the middle of the park means teams struggle to forge chances through the middle of the park, with his influence vital in Guardiola's game plan coming to fruition.
Should Sigurdsson shake the attention of Fernandinho, though, the Swansea man can make a substantial impact as the Swans look to return to winning ways in front of their fans.

*WhoScored.com is a unique website and one of the fastest growing in the sports industry, specialising in the in-depth analysis of detailed football data. Provided with unique stats, they compile and create comprehensive analysis on the major European divisions, including live match stats and player ratings. You can follow @WhoScored and their editorial assistant Ben McAleer on Twitter.


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