With the title already secured, Manchester City will look to cement themselves as a truly great team by pursuing a number of Premier League records, while Sunday’s opponents Swansea City will be more concerned with avoiding relegation from the top flight. Having not won any of their last five games, they sit just four points above the drop zone and face an extremely difficult challenge in visiting the Etihad Stadium.
Indeed, Carlos Carvalhal’s side have not secured an away win since beating Watford back in December, a run of form that has undoubtedly been at the heart of their slide down the table. No team has scored fewer goals than Swansea’s tally of 27, with their average of 8.3 shots per game also the lowest in the Premier League.
They have used a wide variety of formations, tailoring their approach to specific opponents and are expected to line up in a 4-4-2 shape here. Since Carvalhal came to the club midway through the season, the Swans have looked much stronger defensively, excelling at stopping set pieces but still looking vulnerable to counter attacks.
City meanwhile have not lost in their last 12 meetings with Swansea and will be looking to add to their overwhelming dominance this term. No team has ever won the league with so many matches left to spare and they now have a total of 87 points total, with Pep Guardiola and his players seemingly determined to become the first Premier League side to surpass a century of points in a single campaign.
The Spanish boss will once again use his 4-3-3 framework, a set up that allows them to both retain the ball easily while and strike at pace on the counter with a devastating array of attacking talent. They lead all sides in terms of possession (65.9%), passes per game (733.1), shots (17.6), goals scored (93) and fewest conceded (25), while also netting at least twice in 14 of their last 15 home games in the Premier League.
However, they will enter this clash with a number of important players missing. Striker Sergio Aguero looks set to miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, while defensive midfielder Fernandinho will serve a suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards. Central defender John Stones is also doubtful and, while Benjamin Mendy is finally back in training, he is not likely to take part here.
For Swansea, Mike van der Hoorn failed to overcome a shoulder injury last weekend and Luciano Narsingh was forced off at half-time, with Sam Clucas also facing a late fitness test. Renato Sanches has returned to the club and should play again this season, but will not expected to feature against City. Angel Rangel has recovered from his own fitness issues, but hasn't played since the start of January and is perhaps not going to be ready in time to face the champions in their first home game since securing the title.
Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Delph; De Bruyne, Gundogan, David Silva; Sterling, Gabriel Jesus, Sane
Swansea City (4-4-2): Fabianski; Naughton, Fernandez, Mawson, Olsson; Narsingh, Ki, King, Carroll; Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew
