It’s a tale of two cities in the English Premier League this Saturday, August 20th as Swansea City of Wales will be hosting newly-promoted Hull City at the Liberty Stadium. Hull got their return to the top tier off to a flying start last Saturday with a 2-1 home win over reigning Champions Leicester City. Meanwhile, Swansea kicked off their 2016/17 campaign in a successful manner as well by taking all three points with a 1-0 road win over newly-promoted Burnley FC at Turf Moor.
Swansea City vs Hull City – 5Dimes Soccer Betting Line:
- 5Dimes Money Line: Swansea is the favorite to win the game at 1.709 with Hull 4.470 and a draw at 3.200
5Dimes English Premier League Props:
- Manchester City Wins English Premier League: 2.750, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.476
- Manchester United Wins English Premier League: 3.900, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.286
- Chelsea Wins English Premier League: 5.000, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.200
- Arsenal Wins English Premier League: 9.000, Field Wins English Premier League: 1.080
Swansea City vs Hull City – Head to Head:
These two teams last met in the League Cup in September of 2015 with Hull winning 1-0. They also met in Premier League action in the 2014/15 campaign with Swansea winning 1-0 away and 3-1 at home. They are Swansea’s lone two wins in their last seven encounters. The two clubs have met 71 times in the past with Swansea winning 30, losing 25 and drawing the other 16.
Swansea City – A Closer Look:
Swansea City finished in 12th place in the Premier League last season with 47 points from 12 wins, 11 draws and 15 losses. They scored goals 42 goals and allowed 52 against. Luckily for the Swans they have a healthy squad heading it Saturday’s game. There was a huge turnover at the club during the offseason as several players came and went. The newcomers include Leroy Fer from Queens Park Rangers, Mike van der Hoorn from Ajax of Holland, Tyler Reid from Manchester United, George Byers from Watford, Mark Birighetti from the Newcastle Jets of Australia, Fernando Llorente from Sevilla of Spain and Borja Baston from Spanish side Atletico Madrid.
Those who left Liberty Stadium include Matthew Grimes on loan, Alberto Paloschi, Kyle Bartley on loan, Liam Shephard on loan, Ryan Hedges on loan, Bafetimbi Gomis on loan, Adam King on loan, Andre Ayew, Eder, former captain Ashley Williams and Josh Sheehan on loan. It’s hard to understand why such a mediocre club has loaned out so many players, especially the likes of Gomis, when you consider they’ve lost Ayew, Eder and Williams. Swansea downed Burnley last week with midfielder Leroy Fer tapping in a rebound for the only goal of the game with eight minutes to go to give manager Francesco Guidolin’s side all three points.
Hull City – A Closer Look:
Hull City finished in fourth place in the second-tier Championship League last season with 83 points from 24 wins, 11 draws and 11 losses. They scored 69 goals and allowed 35 against. The club then won promotion to the Premier League by winning the playoff final 1-0 against Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley. The biggest news of the summer was the resignation of manager Steve Bruce just three weeks before the season’s kickoff. The team hasn’t named a permanent manager as of yet and that’s why they’ve been relatively inactive in the current transfer window. However, Will Mannion was acquired from Wimbledon though while Sone Aluko and Ryan Taylor were both released and Mohamed Diame joined Newcastle United.
Hull is expected to be missing several players this weekend due to injury including defenders Alex Bruce, Michael Dawson, Harry Maguire, Moses Odubajo and goalkeeper Allan McGregor. The Tigers pulled off a pretty big upset last week by beating reigning champions Leicester 2-1 at home at the KC Stadium. Striker Adama Diomande of Norway opened the scoring just before halftime, but Riyad Mahrez leveled the score two minutes into the second half on a penalty kick. Hull then took the win on a goal by veteran winger Robert Snodgrass in the 57th minute.
Swansea City vs Hull City – Takeaway:
Regardless of their first-week wins. Hull City will struggle for points this season and find it hard to stay above the relegation zone while Swansea won’t be much better.
English Premier League is BACK! Bet on Swansea City vs Hull City Aug 20th at 5Dimes online!
by Ian S. Palmer