Paul Merson’s prediction: I’m doing this game on Soccer Saturday and it’s another hard one to call, but I like Swansea at the moment. I wasn’t sure appointing Garry Monk was the best move – it seemed a bit cheap and cheerful and the results at the end of last season weren’t great – but fair play to him for what he’s done this year. The players are working their socks off for him, he’s got rid of all the bad eggs and I am going to go for them to win this game. The two wingers, Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge, are on fire at the moment and will be too quick for Southampton. PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 _____________________________________- Feeling far more confident after reading Pauls prediction.
He's got to get a prediction correct one day Should be a cracking game which I think we will just nick 2-1, with Bony hopefully getting on the scoresheet. That said, I'd also be happy with a point.
I like the Swansea set up. They are a good side. We beat them last year at their place IIRC, but wasn't that the game where Lambert scored with his back in injury time? So a bit lucky. It will be a good test for both sides. Think Dyer will score one for them just because that's what always happens but I think we manage to put two past them. Would not be too upset with a draw or even a close loss in a well-played game.
Is Gazzaniga injured? Not that it matters in the grand scheme of things, but Cropper seems to be more of a presence in the first team squad this season.
I have never ever seen him predict a Saints win. It would make him too miserable. However, he may be correct. But notice that he says he likes Swansea at the moment, presumably because they're playing some nice football and getting results. So what are we doing then..?
And for every twerp, there's another... Both of these sides had a massive turnover of players in the summer, and they have both made good starts to the season. Crucially, in relation to what I have been talking about already with Burnley and Sunderland, they have invested in the top end of their team and both look strong in attack. This should be a good battle between two relatively new Premier League managers in Swansea's Garry Monk and Southampton's Ronald Koeman, who have both already been able to put their own handprint on their teams. I am backing Southampton to edge to victory on Saturday but I don't see either side having any problems this season. Lawro's prediction: 1-2
Will be fun to see Gardos, his size should be useful on Bony. Want Vic to start now as insurance though.
Last season this would have worried me. This summer we have significantly improved our squad depth in the centre back area and I think that Gardos will be a more than adequate replacement.
