Opposition view: Swansea City

Ahead of Saturday's game at The Etihad, Bluemoon caught up with Chris from the Swansea City blog Forza Swansea to get the lowdown on the opposition...

What are your expectations for this season?

Things have already gone from amazing to terrible, then back to decent in the early stages of this season for us! With an unpredictable team it's difficult to say where we will end up, though we would all be happy with a (realistic) 10th-14th finish.

Are you happy with the manager?

Yes – I don't think you can be unhappy with someone like Michael Laudrup. However he has shown he's not going to make things easy all the time, but that's the Swansea City way I guess!

Who are your key players?

This season has already seen some stand-out men. Michu is certainly the new poster-boy for the club and deserves his time in the limelight. Michel Vorm and Leon Britton are both key as well.

Were you happy with the business conducted during the transfer window?

Looking at the likes of Michu, Jonathan de Guzman and Ki Sung-Yueng it is safe to say we are all very happy with the incoming players. Meanwhile we all thought Man City paid over the odds for Scott Sinclair so that is more business that pleased us ( ...sorry about that).

Are there any rising stars in the squad that we might not have heard of?

Ben Davies is a young, local defender who Laudrup has really taken a shine to. With Neil Taylor out for the season expect to see Davies on Saturday.

Your Achilles heel?

This season the whole of defence has let us down at times, though specifically Ashley Williams, who has been uncharacteristically sloppy over the past few weeks.

If you could have any City player in your team who would you choose?

Scott Sinclair (just joking). Personally I'd take Mario Balotelli. I'm half-Italian and have a soft spot for any Azzurri player! He's a great striker, though needs to tweak the attitude at times - as I'm sure you know all too well.

What is your perception of City as a club?

I don't mind Manchester City – there are no bad links or rivalries between us really. I'm not a fan of the massive spending and some of the players are irritating – especially Carlos Tevez – however I like Roberto Mancini and like the City fans who always seem up for a good game!

Likely starting XI for the game, and score prediction?

Swansea will probably field the following, in a 4-3-3 formation: Michel Vorm; Angel Rangel, Chico Flores, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies; Leon Britton, Ki Sung Yueng, Michu; Nathan Dyer, Wayne Routledge, Danny Graham.

I reckon Swansea will put a good fight and – you never know – could nick something, but City will probably be too strong. Let's say 3-1 to City.