During this soccer season, Doc’s Sports Service has teamed up with Strike Point Sports and Raphael Esparza (Vegas Sports Informer), two of the top soccer handicappers, to provide weekly free soccer picks for English Premier League, MLS and Champions League matches. Check back each week for a new free pick. This week, Vegas Sports Informer has a free play on a side in the Manchester United vs. Swansea City.

Manchester United will be looking to enact swift revenge against Swansea on Saturday afternoon as these squads match up for the second consecutive weekend. David Moyes’ side currently sits five points out of fourth place and will be looking to keep their fading Champions League hopes alive. Swansea sits four points clear of the relegation zone and will be hoping for their first League win since a surprising 3-0 win against Newcastle at the start of December.

Manchester United vs. Swansea Betting Story Lines

As the League enters 2014, it is safe to say this is not the Manchester United club that we have grown to love and hate. The team, which won the League with approximately a month left in the last campaign, has seen its title defense hopes dashed and may fail to qualify for Champions League this year.

United played Sunderland midweek in the League Cup and were fighting to not lose their third straight match for the first time since 2001. While this tournament may be disregarded by many top-tier teams, United lost and were ousted, failing to secure a win against a team that sits at the absolute bottom of the Premier League Table.

In what may feel like déjà-vu, Swansea will be heading to Old Trafford for the second consecutive weekend, and Michael Laudrup’s team will be hoping for the same result. Swansea were able to eliminate United in the FA Cup last weekend, defeating the once-unstoppable home side 2-1. The team will be brimming with confidence entering Saturday but are expecting a tougher battle than last week, according to Michael Laudrup.

Manchester United vs. Swansea Betting Odds and Trends

Manchester United is available at -1 (-123) while Swansea is +1 (+108). On three-way wagering a draw is listed at +340 with the underdogs available at +651 and United valued at -193. The total of 2.5 is listed with the “over” priced at -128 and the “under” priced at +113.

In the last six matches, United has had the over 2.5 go 4-2 and 2-1 at home matches in that span. Manchester has failed to keep a clean sheet in four out of the last six matches. Swansea has seen the over hit just two times in the previous six matches but failed to hold opponents off the score sheet in all six matches.

In all previous Premier League encounters average total goals equal 2.6, and in last year’s corresponding fixture, United defeated Swansea 2-1. 

Take Manchester United/Swansea City OVER 2.5 (12:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11)

This revenge match will weigh heavy on United players and supporters as they look to improve on their dismal home form as of late. Their consecutive home losses against Tottenham in League play and Swansea in the FA Cup have left a bitter taste in United’s mouth. With neither team fielding robust defenses, look for a back-and-forth match with plenty of opportunities at each end. Wayne Rooney could return to the United squad as the club continues to manage his groin problem.