Having spoiled the party for new Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal by winning at Old Trafford, Swansea have been made odds on favourites against former Championship rivals Burnley. The Clarets may have taken the lead against Chelsea on their return to the Premiership, but they eventually suffered a 3-1 defeat, and now face another very difficult task.

Sigurdsson and Ki returns crucial for Swans

Following a poor run of results under Michael Laudrup, Swansea even slipped in the danger zone last term, but the gamble with Gary Monk paid off big time as he steered the team back to the Premier League mid table. As Michu, Vorm, Davies, De Guzman, Chico and Hernandez left the club in the summer, the Swans were tipped to endure some tough times, but several shrewd signings have ensured they are quite possibly even stronger than last term. And while the likes of Fernandez, Gomis, Montero and Fabianski are all expected to play an important part this season, it is the return of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Ki Sung-Yong that has been the biggest boost for the club. Together with ever-improving Jonjo Shelvey, they create an excellent midfield trio that just keeps creating chances as well as scoring important goals. The Swans looked extremely confident at Old Trafford and did well to take advantage of the space the opposition left behind, but with Dyer and Routledge closing in on full fitness, chances are they will look even better against poor Burnley, who simply don’t have what it takes to play at this level.

Gary Monk has no fresh injury worries, although Leon Britton, Marvin Emnes, Jay Fulton and Rory Donnelly are out injured.

Poor transfer window for Burnley

Everybody knows that a team gaining promotion from the Championship have no choice but to sign a host of players with Premier League experience if they want to survive, and Burnley have clearly failed to add enough quality players this summer. They have signed a number of footballers well past their prime such as Kightly, Taylor, Reid and Ward, with only Jutkiewicz and Sordell possibly in their prime. The 3-1 home defeat to Chelsea could be a sign of things to come as the Clarets suffered a comfortable defeat despite taking the lead early on, and they clearly don’t look like the team that can compete at this level. With key striker Sam Vokes still missing and Ings and Jutkiewicz yet to score a Premier League goal, it is not realistic to expect the visitors will be able to break Swansea’s rock-solid defence. Meanwhile, their own back line will have their work cut out for them against Bony, Dyer and Routledge, so I really don’t see how Burnley are going to prevent the Welsh side from winning the game.

Sam Vokes continues to miss out, but the good news is that the Welsh striker is the only unavailable player at the moment.

Verdict

Swansea have made several quality signings without disrupting the balance of the side and with two key players returning they looked quite impressive against Manchester United. Given that Burnley are arguably the weakest side in this year’s competition, another victory appears on the cards for Gary Monk’s charges.

Top pick: Home win   1.67 (2/3) @ SkyBet

Alternative pick 1: Swansea/Swansea   2.60 (8/5) @ William Hill

Alternative pick 2: Swansea to win to nil   2.75 (7/4) @ Ladbrokes