The reigning Premier League champions, Guardiola’s Manchester City, welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday night. Wolves surprisingly got the better of the autumn match at Molineux and won 2:1, but on Saturday the team from Manchester, who are fighting for another league title, will be the clear favourites.
Just three days after a 4-0 win at Brighton, the Citizens claimed another three points when they beat relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest 2-0 at the weekend. Joško Gvardiol scored in the first half, and less than ten minutes after coming on to the pitch after injury, Erling Haaland also scored, making him the top scorer in the Premier League.
Pep Guardiola’s men are thus in an ideal position to defend the league trophy, they are only one point behind Arsenal, who have played a game more. The third-placed Liverpool is four points behind Manchester City and lost a real chance to move to the top of the table in recent weeks.
Guardiola and co, who are also unbeaten in their last 31 competitive matches in all competitions, will be hoping for three points against Wolves, who have beaten them in seven of their last eight home league meetings.
The West Midlands side finally ended a seven-game winless streak last week when they beat 18th-placed Luton Town 2-1 at Molineux to boost their chances of a top-half finish. Hwang Hee-chan opened the scoring with his first league goal since December and stopper Toti added a second five minutes after the break. Carlton Morris then reduced the difference to a single goal ten minutes before the end, but Wolves kept their lead and won all three points for the thirteenth time this season.
Manager Gary O’Neil, who will not be on the bench on Saturday after being banned by The Football Association for his conduct in the defeat to West Ham United, will be unable to use the striker duo of Santiago Bueno and Craig Dawson on Saturday. Two youngsters, Noha Lemina, the younger brother of the more experienced Mario, and striker Leon Chiwome are also sidelined.
The home team, on the other hand, hopes to have all key players available. Both Phil Foden and Rúben Dias recovered from their injuries during the week. However, the start of goalkeeper Ederson, who injured his shoulder, is uncertain.
Manchester City – probable line-up:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Dias, Guardiol; Rodri; Bernardo, De Bruyne, Foden, Grealish; Haaland
Wolverhampton – probable line-up:
Sa; Semedo, Kilman, Toti; Doherty, Lemina, Gomes, Traore, Ait-Nouri; Cunha, Hwang
Tipsport betting office odds: 1.09 – 12.00 – 28.30
EuroFotbal.cz tip: 1
