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Thursday 3 October 2013

Europa League: Swansea face St Gallen in first Group A home fixture

Swansea City will take in their first Europa League fixture at the Liberty Stadium on Thursday when they entertain St Gallen.

The Swans are embarking on their first continental quest since 1991/92 - when they crashed out of the Cup Winners' Cup at the first round stage.

Ambition and expectation has risen considerably since then, and Michael Laudrup will be looking to make significant inroads in this season's competition.

Swansea made the best possible start to their Group A campaign on Matchday One, as they stunned La Liga giants Valencia at the Mestalla.

A 3-0 win on Spanish soil proves that Laudrup's men can hold their own against the best in the business, and they will be looking more of the same against Swiss opposition in midweek.

St Gallen have overcome British opponents once before, with a 2-1 aggregate success secured against Chelsea in the UEFA Cup some 12 years ago.

They will be hoping to replicate that success in South Wales, and should be in buoyant mood heading into the tie.

They are currently on a 12-match unbeaten run in all competitions and opened their Europa League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Kuban Krasnodar.

Team news

Swansea will be without captain Ashley Williams, Pablo Hernandez and Garry Monk as they look to take another positive step towards the knockout stage.

Williams is still struggling with an ankle ligament injury, while hamstring and knee complaints will sideline winger Hernandez and centre-half Monk respectively.

Angel Rangel is a doubt with an ankle knock, while Roland Lamah has a toe problem.

St Gallen have no fresh injury concerns to contend with, but may look to freshen up their starting XI.

Alhassae Keita is expected to be drafted into the side by coach Jeff Saibene at the expense of Ermir Lenjani.

Keita is a player who will be well known to Laudrup, as he worked with the Guinean striker during his time in charge of Mallorca.

Click to enlarge

Wednesday 2 October 2013

Shakhtar v Manchester UTD: (October 2, 2013) : MATCH PREVIEW, PROBABLE LINEUPS ,TEAM FORM

Manchester UTD travel to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk desperate to address their horrible form. This article contains a complete Shakhtar v Man UTD betting preview with the latest team news, probable lineups, and team form.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK v MANCHESTER UNITED: MATCH PREVIEW 
 
Shakhtar Donetsk head into this game on wednesday night having secured 3pts from their opening game from the group when beating Real Sociedad 2-0 away from home. Anyway, after winning their domestic title by 13 points last season, they currently lie third in the Ukrainian league -  - a division they have won for the last four consecutive seasons - six points off the pace being set by Metalist and three behind Dnipro.

Summer signing Wellington Nem has had surgery on a knee injury and been left out of Shaktar's Champions League squad. No other reported injuries or suspensions for the hosts, so expect Mircea Lucescu’s side to lineup in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Facundo Ferreyra, Luiz Adriano and Eduardo Da Silva all looking to be involved in the attack up front.

Winner Sports free bet Man Utd have taken just seven points from their first six Premier League games - their worst start to a season since the 1989-90 campaign. Specifically, they have recorded three defeats so far, and certainly the most painful was the one at Old Trafford last weekend, where they lost with 2-1 from West Brom.

Robin van Persie could start for the Reds after the Dutchman returned from injury as a substitute at the weekend. Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra may also feature, having been rested completely against the Baggies. Moyes will have Nani available for the trip to Donetsk after the Portuguese winger missed the opening game through suspension. Tom Cleverley could also return from a knee problem.

Shakhtar have a 100% record at home to English opposition in the Champions League. They beat Chelsea last season as they crashed out in the group stages, and United, playing the way they have been recently, will need to improve if they are to avoid a similar fate

SHAKHTAR DONETSK v MANCHESTER UNITED: PROBABLE LINEUPS
 
Shakhtar Donetsk (4-2-3-1): Pyatov – Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Shevchuk – Hubschman, Fernando – Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Taison – Luiz Adriano
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): de Gea – Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra – Carrick, Fellaini – Valencia, Rooney, Welbeck – van Persie


SHAKHTAR DONETSK v MANCHESTER UNITED: TEAM FORM
 
Shakhtar Donetsk
17 Sep 2013    Real Sociedad 0 - Shakhtar Donetsk 2    UCL
5 Mar 2013    Borussia Dortmund 3 - Shakhtar Donetsk 0    UCL
13 Feb 2013    Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Borussia Dortmund 2    UCL
5 Dec 2012    Shakhtar Donetsk 0 - Juventus 1    UCL
20 Nov 2012    FC Nordsjælland 2 - Shakhtar Donetsk 5    UCL

Manchester United
28 Sep 2013    Manchester United 1 - West Bromwich Albion 2    EPL
25 Sep 2013    Manchester United 1 - Liverpool 0    CCUP
22 Sep 2013    Manchester City 4 - Manchester United 1    EPL
17 Sep 2013    Manchester United 4 - Bayer Leverkusen 2    UCL
14 Sep 2013    Manchester United 2 - Crystal Palace 0    EPL

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