Wolves v Man City – Match Preview

Manchester City remain one of two unbeaten teams in the Premier League this season and will be hoping to maintain that record at Wolves this weekend.

Here is everything you need to know about Saturday’s clash at Molineux.

Form

Wolves: LWDDW

Wolves ended their winless run in the Premier League last time out, securing a 1-0 win over Southampton at Molineux. Bruno Lage’s side had gone 12 games without a win dating back to last season, before Daniel Podence’s goal got their season up and running.

Despite that streak there has been little panic at Wolves, whose shortcomings have been in the final third. Raul Jimenez has looked a shadow of his former self, while summer signing Sasa Kalajdzic suffered an ACL injury on debut and is facing an extended spell on the sidelines.

A familiar face has signed for Wolves in a bid to ease the club’s search for goals, with perennial pantomime villain Diego Costa returning to the Premier League.

It's official. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/FXcgReSlsr

— Wolves (@Wolves) September 12, 2022

The 33-year-old has not featured since leaving Atlético Mineiro in January, but could be in line for a shock debut and will be itching to ruffle the feathers of the Premier League champions.

While goals have been in short supply, Wolves’ defensive strength has remained despite a change in formation and personnel. Wolves have conceded just four goals in six league games, including successive clean sheets in their last two, with Nathan Collins and Max Kilman forming an encouraging understanding.

Manchester City: WWDWW

City sit second in the Premier League table after an unbeaten start, having won four and drawn two of their opening six games.

Erling Haaland’s form has been the dominant narrative of their start, with the Norwegian having scored a staggering 13 goals in just nine games in all competitions.

9 games
13 goals@ErlingHaaland

🔵 2-1 🟡 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/3gTUinRKQ3

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2022

Haaland’s goals have ensured City remain without defeat, despite some indifferent performances including trailing by two goals to both Newcastle and Crystal Palace. City also fell behind to Borussia Dortmund in midweek and struggled to break down the Bundesliga side for much of the contest.

Jack Grealish’s performance has been criticised and City looked a better team when both Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva entered the pitch. Wolves should provide another examination against a deep-lying defence, though have lost the last four meetings between the teams with 13 goals conceded.

Last Meeting

Wolves 1-5 Manchester City, May 11th 2022

One had been suggested as a potential banana skin in the title run-in proved anything but, as Kevin De Bruyne produced an extraordinary individual performance at Molineux.

In arguably his finest display in a City shirt De Bruyne ran riot, becoming just the third midfielder to score four goals in a Premier League fixture. He hit a hat-trick inside 24 minutes – the third-quickest in Premier League history – with the manner of his finishing sublime.

His first three goals all came from his ‘weaker’ left side, including a wonderful hit from the edge of the area to seal his first hat-trick for City. Raheem Sterling added a fifth late on, but this as an evening all about City’s brilliant Belgian.