For the second time this week Manchester City will travel to face Swansea City after claiming a 2-1 victory in the EFL Cup.
Both teams are expected to make a number of changes to the respective teams that they put out in the midweek fixture.
Pep Guardiola will look to maintain his team’s 100% start to the season, but will have to work hard against a tricky Swansea side who are in the hunt for their first home win of 2016-17.
Aguero returns to Premier League action
Nearly a month after last appearing in the league, Sergio Aguero will make his long awaited return. The Argentine was handed a three-match ban for violent conduct after he was found guilty of throwing an elbow at Winston Reid in a 3-1 win over West Ham.
The 28-year-old missed the Manchester derby, the visit of Bournemouth and the Football League Cup clash against Swansea City, although he did start their opening Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach in which he netted a hat-trick. Despite missing four of City’s eight opening games in all competitions, Aguero has still managed an impressive nine goals already this season, including two hat-tricks.
Although, the Sky Blues did not look to have missed their start striker, having notched up impressive results and having no problems in the scoring department. A positive sign for Guardiola’s side is that the return of Aguero will mean that they can only get better.
Nothing easy for the Swans
The Welsh club has endured a difficult start to the season, winning only one game in the league against Burnley during the opening round. The Swans have lost a number of key players in the transfer window, including the likes of Andre Ayew, Ashley Williams, Bafetimbi Gomis and Euro 2016 final hero Eder. Fernando Llorente and Borja Baston have been their only noteworthy signings this summer, while Leroy Fer made the permanent switch following his loan spell with the club last season.
Swansea did manage an unexpected, yet impressive point against Chelsea in their last game at the Liberty Stadium and will be looking to achieve the same again. Following the City encounter, Guidolin’s side face Liverpool and Arsenal in succession and will have to be at their very best if they are to get anything out of these games.
City to cruise to victory?
Despite fielding a near second team in the League Cup, City still managed to comfortably dominate the Swans for most of the game.
The Welsh outlet threw everything they had in the final minutes and even managed to bag a late goal, but it was the visitors who came away deserved victors on the night. Guardiola will undoubtedly reinstate the likes of Raheem Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne and Claudio Bravo to the starting XI, yet will have to make do without the suspended Nolito and the injured David Silva.
Guidolin will be banking on Gylfi Sigurdsson to provide the spark from midfield after the Icelandic international grabbed the consolation goal when the sides met earlier this week.
All statistics point towards another easy win for the Citizens as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
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