After suffering a shock Carabao Cup exit in midweek, Wolves look to bounce back as they welcome Manchester City to Molineux in primetime Monday Night Football.
Victory could send Wolves into the top five if they score more than once, whereas Man City can go as high as seventh with a win.
Team News
Wolves have no fresh injury concerns as Jonny remains absent with a knee injury.
Man City will be without Aymeric Laporte after the French defender recently returned to training following a positive Coronavirus test, which has prevented him from getting fully fit in time for this match.
Bernardo Silva (quad) faces a late fitness test but Sergio Aguero is still ruled out with a knee injury suffered against Burnley in late June.
New summer signings, Nathan Ake and Ferran Torres are therefore in contention to start in defence and attack respectively.
Stat Attack
- Wolves are unbeaten in three of last five league meetings against Manchester City (W2, D1, L2).
- Man City have failed to win their last two trips to Molineux since Wolves returned to the Premier League in August 2018 (D1, L1).
- Wolves’ Adama Traore scored three goals in two appearances against City last season, with Wolves winning on both occasions (W2).
- Wolves are unbeaten in their last ten opening home league games to a new season (W7, D3).
- City have won each of their last six opening away league matches in a new season (W6), scoring 18 goals and conceding just once.
Prediction
On paper this is a tough opener for Man City because Wolves will have two matches under their belt but the Citizens do have a great record in first away league games across last six seasons, which will give them a confidence boost to some extent.
Wolves however come into this match knowing that they’re capable of beating this City team, especially if Manchester United’s defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday is anything to go by in terms of rustiness due to missing last weekend’s opening matches.
I am therefore expecting a good match between two attacking teams but City need to get themselves focused sharply because this Wolves team will punish any early rustiness as Sheffield United discovered last Monday.
City’s strong opening away form should however stand them in solid stead to potentially grab a point if can get it right defensively because Wolves will always be a real danger when on the attack, and also possess the advantage of already having a match fit squad.
Prediction: Wolves 2-1 Manchester City