WATCH FOR THE FULL LOWDOWN AHEAD OF MANCHESTER CITY V WOLVES
TEAM NEWS
Manchester City go into tomorrow’s match with a major defensive injury problem, with Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, and John Stones all ruled out. New signing Marc Guehi is expected to make his debut and could start in central defence alongside Abdukodir Khusanov. Pep Guardiola also said he is not sure Matheus Nunes will be fit after illness, which could affect City’s right back options, with Rayan Ait-Nouri a possible alternative. Further up the pitch, Antoine Semenyo is expected to return after missing the trip to Bodo, while Erling Haaland should still lead the line as he looks to end a run without an open play goal.
Wolves have no new injury worries, with Rob Edwards confirming the squad has come through the week in good shape. Jean Ricner Bellegarde is a positive update, as he is back training on the grass, but tomorrow’s trip to Manchester City is expected to come too soon for him to return. Defender Toti remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a hamstring problem, leaving Wolves to stick with the options that have helped them stay competitive in recent weeks.
ROB EDWARDS
Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Toti Gomes remain unavailable through hamstring injuries, but Bellegarde is back in training so Edwards is hopeful he could return next week.
Tawanda Chirewa, who missed last weekend’s draw with Newcastledue to illness, is expected to be involved.
On Wolves rejecting Leeds’ offer for Jorgen Strand Larsen: “That bid came in earlier this week. He’s been great, trained really well and will be part of the squad.”
Edwards said the bid was far from what the club value the striker at and they are “not under any pressure to sell” anyone in this transfer window.
More from Edwards on outgoings: “We want to try and be as strong as we can throughout the period so unless we feel it’s the right thing for the club, then no one will go. No-one’s been knocking on my door [to leave], no-one, they’ve all showed real desire and attitude to be here.”
He said if they bring any players in “then it is because they fit and they want to be here”, rather than just buying good players.
He said “there’s a very good spirit” at the training ground and “it’s not doom and gloom and all negative,” despite being bottom of the league. Edwards added that this is really important for building on current momentum.
On opponents Manchester City: “We will expect the best Manchester City. We are going up against the best manager, and they have world-class players in every position. They don’t have many, but every team has weaknesses and we need to go into the game with a way to try and win it.”
Edwards said centre-back Yerson Mosquera “always bring his A-game and energy” and “his real zest for life” is welcomed and needed in the squad.
MATCH STATS & FACTS
Manchester City have won 10 of their last 11 Premier League games against Wolves, with the exception being a 2-1 loss at Molineux in September 2023.
Wolves have won just one of their 11 Premier League away games against Manchester City (D1 L9), losing the last five in a row since a 2-0 victory in October 2019.
Man City are unbeaten in their last 30 Premier League games against sides starting the day bottom of the table (W24 D6), since losing three in a row in November/December 2008 (vs Bolton, Spurs, West Brom). At home, they’ve won their last nine against bottom placed sides by an aggregate score of 36-0.
Though they’ve lost just one of their last 10 Premier League games (W6 D3), Manchester City are winless in their last four (D3 L1). They last went longer without a win between October/November 2009 (7 consecutive draws under Mark Hughes).
Wolves are unbeaten in their last four Premier League games (W1 D3), earning twice as many points (6) in this run as they had in their previous 22 matches (W0 D3 L19).
Man City have drawn their last two Premier League home games, letting a lead slip in 1-1 draws with both Chelsea and Brighton. They’ve not drawn three in a row at the Etihad since November/December 2023, also leading at some point in all three of those (vs Liverpool, Tottenham and Crystal Palace).
No side has failed to score in more different Premier League games than Wolves this season (11). However, Rob Edwards’ side have kept a clean sheet in two of their last three league games, having conceded at least once in each of their previous 23.
Man City striker Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals against Wolves than any other player (10). He’s netted exactly one goal, two goals, three goals and four goals in games against them, one of only three players to do so against an opponent after Robbie Fowler (vs Bolton) and Harry Kane (vs Leicester).
Antoine Semenyo has been involved in 14 goals in his last 16 home appearances in all competitions (10 goals, 4 assists), scoring and assisting a goal in his only game for Man City at the Etihad Stadium so far.
Since the start of December, 18-year-old Mateus Mané has the most goals (2), and goal involvements (3) for Wolves in the Premier League, while he also ranks second for most shots (12) and touches in the opposition box (15) for the club in that time.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Farai Hallam. Assistants: Dan Cook, Ian Hussin. Fourth official: Tim Robinson. VAR: Darren England. Assistant VAR: Sam Barrott.
FORM GUIDE (ALL COMPETITIONS)
HEAD TO HEAD (ALL COMPETITIONS)
