Manchester City could have to make up a four-point deficit in the Premier League title race before kick-off on Saturday evening against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
City are back in action following title rivals Arsenal this weekend, with the Gunners taking on Bournemouth in the early kick-off on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s side, aiming for an unprecedented fourth consecutive league title, are currently a point behind the Gunners, who have played a game less. The veteran champions responded to Arsenal’s victory in the north London derby with a 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
One of their three league defeats this season actually came in the second leg, as Wolves thwarted the champions at Molineux in September. Gary O’Neil has been showered with praise for the work he has done in his first year with the Wolves, even if their season is coming to an end.
Injuries certainly haven’t helped their cause, but a mid-table finish wasn’t the unanimous prediction for the season.
Here is 90 minutes Preview the game.
Man City vs Wolves H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Man City |
Wolves |
|---|---|
|
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Man City – 04/28/24 |
Wolves 2-1 Luton Town – 04/27/24 |
|
Brighton 0-4 Man City – 04/25/24 |
Wolves 0-1 Bournemouth – 04/24/24 |
|
Man City 1-0 Chelsea – 04/20/24 |
Wolves 0-2 Arsenal – 04/20/24 |
|
Man City 1-1 (3-4p) Real Madrid – 04/17/24 |
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Wolves – 04/13/24 |
|
Man City 5-1 Luton Town – 04/13/24 |
Wolves 1-2 West Ham – 04/06/24 |
|
country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
Great Britain |
SKY GO Extra, Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Main Event |
|
United States |
NBC, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes Live, Telemundo |
|
Canada |
fuboTV |
Guardiola wasn’t too optimistic about Ederson’s status for the rest of the season after he was substituted against Nottingham Forest last weekend. The Brazilian will almost certainly not feature this weekend, so Stefan Ortega will start between the posts.
Ruben Dias is suffering from an illness and could be out.
The rest of the City team is largely coming together on its own with Erling Haaland’s return to the starting line-up. The only selection opportunity is on the left, where Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku are fighting for a starting place.
Predicted Man City line-up against Wolves (4-1-4-1): Ortega; Walker, Akanji, Ake, Guardiol; Rodri; Bernard, Foden, Of Bruyne, documentary; Haaland.
Craig Dawson put in an excellent performance in the second leg but will not be available on Saturday due to a groin injury. Nelson Semedo is expected to slide into the back three.
Wolves will also be without star winger Pedro Neto, who could return before the end of the season. Neto is struggling with a thigh injury.
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is questionable due to an ankle problem.
Wolves’ expected line-up against Man City (3-5-2): Probably; Semedo, Kilman, Toti; Doherty, Gomes, Lemina, Traore, Ait-Nouri; Hwang, Cunha.
Wolves are blessed with the resources to trouble City but crucially they will once again be without Neto, who was key to victory in the second leg.
The visitors will therefore be unable to counter with the same energy and risk being boxed in on a pitch where City rarely struggle.
While Arsenal’s likely win could add excitement to this game against a stubborn Wolves block, City are unlikely to shy away.