Swansea's slump to continue

1May 2013

England - Premier League

Paul Robinson looks to build on a profitable week that had three winners, including a correct score at 6.0 (5/1). Here are his selections from Betfair's Sportsbook:

Swansea v Man City

Back Man City @ 1.72 (8/11)

Back Man City to win 2-0 @ 8.0 (7/1)

Swansea have struggled since the Capital One Cup victory and with Manchester City in town on Saturday, I can't see anything other than an away win.

Michael Laudrup has received plenty of plaudits this season and been linked with some top jobs. His supporters must be at least slightly concerned with how his side's form has tailed off dramatically in recent weeks though.

Since their Wembley glory in the cup, The Swans edged past Newcastle 1-0 - a result that flattered them - and then picked up just two points from a possible 18. The players seem to be going through the motions ever so slightly as they are safely berthed in mid-table with little to play for.

Manchester City also have little to play for in terms of the league as they look booked for second place. Roberto Mancini is still under a little bit of pressure though and he will want to finish on a high to keep the detractors at bay. City also have the FA Cup final to look forward to and with such a big squad, the players will be wanting to perform well to secure their place in the first team at Wembley.

Their results have been a bit mixed away from the Etihad recently - three defeats in five - but with Sergio Aguero back to fitness and Carlos Tevez in decent form, I can see them having too much quality for Swansea.

This should be a relatively comfortable victory for last year's champions so not only do I recommend backing them to win, I like the look of a 0-2 correct score at 8.0 (7/1).

West Brom v Wigan

Back West Brom @ 2.37 (11/8)

Back West Brom to win 3-1 @ 17.0 (16/1)

Wigan travel to the Hawthorns badly in need of a win this weekend but I'm afraid to say I can't see them getting it here as West Brom are looking too strong.

The Baggies ended a run of five without victory by comprehensively beating Southampton at St Mary's last Saturday. Steve Clarke fielded both Shane Long and Romelu Lukaku in that match - a rare thing for him - and it worked wonderfully as they both scored.

They look set to finish eighth and that is a huge achievement not only given the club's stature, but also the fact that this is Clarke's first season as a number one. He has built a side that is strong at the back - eight clean sheets - but also one that has plenty of power and pace going forward, especially on the counter.

Wigan are really struggling now after Aston Villa's 6-1 demolition of Sunderland. Conceding that last minute equaliser to Spurs may have left them with too much to do as they are five points adrift of safety, albeit with a game in hand.

Roberto Martinez will be disillusioned with how his side defended last weekend but that's been the story of their season really. They have conceded 62 goals - only three less than Reading - and the Spanish manager has even reverted to playing four at the back.

The Latics have lost their last two on the road and I think that statistic will become three on Saturday. West Brom are fantastic value at 2.37 (11/8) as is a 3-1 correct score at 17.0 (16/1).

Liverpool v Everton

Back Liverpool @ 2.0 (1/1)

Back Liverpool/Liverpool in the HT/FT Market @ 3.25 (9/4)

It's the 220th Merseyside derby live on Sky Sports One at 13:30 this Sunday and I have to favour the home side as David Moyes' Everton have a history of choking against their neighbours when it matters.

Liverpool put the 10 game ban for Luis Suarez behind them by demolishing Newcastle 6-0 at St James' Park in a fantastic display. Yes, the defending from the Toon was poor, but the likes of Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Danny Sturridge played some superb stuff at times. Lucas Leiva also had a fantastic match - breaking up the play on a regular basis - and he seems almost back to his best after a couple of nasty injuries.

The Reds would of course prefer to have Suarez available, but his absence will give others the chance to shine and Fabio Borini will be wanting to prove a point before the summer as his Liverpool career hasn't really got going yet.

Brendan Rodgers' men are five points adrift of Everton with just three games to go so a win is absolutely imperative if they want to finish above them and as The Blues go to Chelsea on the final day, it could be a real possibility.

David Moyes' team have had a fine campaign but it looks like they're going to just miss out on the European places and it will be interesting to see what that means in terms of a summer shake up.

The Toffees beat Fulham 1-0 last weekend and that continued their decent home form - five wins in a row - however their results away from Goodison haven't been anywhere near as good. It's no win in six for Everton on the road and while they drew at both Spurs and Arsenal, they were beaten by Norwich and Sunderland.

Everton haven't won at Anfield since 1999 and I can't see that changing on Sunday. Liverpool should win this comfortably for my money, so as well as backing a home win, Liverpool to be winning at half time and at full time is worth an investment at 3.25 (9/4).