In my mind the two big suprises during last season, with Swansea, against all odds, managed to stay in the top flight division rather comfortably, and Newcastle being able to clinch 5th spot ahead of Champions League winners Chelsea.
Swansea made a very positive start to the season, especially with Rayo Vallecano signing "Michu" seemingly unable to miss the target for the Welsh side. During the matches around Christmas, Swansea weren't showing the same impecable form, but have still managed to stay in the top 10. With Michael Laudrups side clinching their first ever major title last weekend in a 5-0 thrashing over Bradford City, form and confidence couldn't be better. One thing definitely worth mentioning is how Laudrup has encouraged his side to play attacking football, despite who their opponents are. I for one have been amazed by the quality that Laudrup has been able to get out of his relatively cheap side. A lot of the success is definitely thanks to the signings of earlier mentioned "Michu" and Pablo Hernandez, both for the combined sum of £8,5million. I think that this afternoon match against Newcastle will be no exception for Swansea to play their lovely attacking football, and don't bet against "Michu" finding the back of the net.
Regarding Newcastle, the success hasn't even been close to last seasons. Even though last seasons 5th finish was very suprising, nobody thought that they would be fighting for survival in late January. Unlike Swansea, manager Alan Pardew was very busy during the January transfer market, signing five frenchmen to the Magpies. Before these additions to the squad were made, Newcastle had already lost the likes of goalscorer Demba Ba to Chelsea and were in desperate need of attacking players, since Papiss Cissé clearly wasn't delivering. However since the "french revolution" was introduced at St. James Park Newcastle have shown the form they had throughout last season. The key major signing, in my mind, is Moussa Sissoko, who instantly managed to find a goal-winning pass in his first match, only to clinch two goals a week later in a 3-2 win over Chelsea. With a 4-2 win over newcomers Southampton last weekend, the Tyneside team should have all the confidence they need for a thrip to Liberty Stadium.
Even though both teams are in great form, i give the edge to Swansea, mainly because Swansea have been extremely strong at home, whilst Newcastle have been rather poor away from home. Nevertheless, the match will be very exicting, where Swansea will play their attacking football, and Newcastle, hopefully, managing to play their counter-attacking with the new Frenchmen at the rudder.
Swansea made a very positive start to the season, especially with Rayo Vallecano signing "Michu" seemingly unable to miss the target for the Welsh side. During the matches around Christmas, Swansea weren't showing the same impecable form, but have still managed to stay in the top 10. With Michael Laudrups side clinching their first ever major title last weekend in a 5-0 thrashing over Bradford City, form and confidence couldn't be better. One thing definitely worth mentioning is how Laudrup has encouraged his side to play attacking football, despite who their opponents are. I for one have been amazed by the quality that Laudrup has been able to get out of his relatively cheap side. A lot of the success is definitely thanks to the signings of earlier mentioned "Michu" and Pablo Hernandez, both for the combined sum of £8,5million. I think that this afternoon match against Newcastle will be no exception for Swansea to play their lovely attacking football, and don't bet against "Michu" finding the back of the net.
Regarding Newcastle, the success hasn't even been close to last seasons. Even though last seasons 5th finish was very suprising, nobody thought that they would be fighting for survival in late January. Unlike Swansea, manager Alan Pardew was very busy during the January transfer market, signing five frenchmen to the Magpies. Before these additions to the squad were made, Newcastle had already lost the likes of goalscorer Demba Ba to Chelsea and were in desperate need of attacking players, since Papiss Cissé clearly wasn't delivering. However since the "french revolution" was introduced at St. James Park Newcastle have shown the form they had throughout last season. The key major signing, in my mind, is Moussa Sissoko, who instantly managed to find a goal-winning pass in his first match, only to clinch two goals a week later in a 3-2 win over Chelsea. With a 4-2 win over newcomers Southampton last weekend, the Tyneside team should have all the confidence they need for a thrip to Liberty Stadium.
Even though both teams are in great form, i give the edge to Swansea, mainly because Swansea have been extremely strong at home, whilst Newcastle have been rather poor away from home. Nevertheless, the match will be very exicting, where Swansea will play their attacking football, and Newcastle, hopefully, managing to play their counter-attacking with the new Frenchmen at the rudder.
