Wolves are in their first season without some of the most important actors to leave in summer, and Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City team will come with intentions of claiming a sixth title. Both teams will have new personnel to settle, and fitness levels to deal with, it will make a very interesting encounter under the lights.
Team Overview/ Form Guide
Wolverhampton Wanderers
The 2024/25 season saw the wolves play well to the end of the season cumulating under Vitor Pereira in securing 53 points to finish in the 11th position as they were in the same league relegation zone when he assumed the position of their coach in December. But things have not been promising in pre-season; the Old Gold lost all three matches (0-3), against Lens (1-3), Girona (2-1) and Celta Vigo (0-1).
Sales of Matheus Cunha (74m to Manchester United) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (36.5m to Manchester City) have punished the side further but Colombia attacker Jhon Arias and Norwegian forward Jorgen Strand Larsen should spearhead the attack in Pereira 4-2-3-1 tactic.
Recent Pre-Season Results:
- Loss: 0-1 vs Celta Vigo (H)
- Loss: 2-1 vs Girona (A) – Arias scored
- Loss: 1-3 vs Lens (H)
Manchester City
Manchester City spent a brief and intensive summer, winning a solitary official friendly 3-0 against Palermo after reaching the semi-finals in the FIFA Club World Cup, in which they made it past Juventus 5-2 before then being beaten 4-3 by Al Hilal in the final.
Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and former Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri have strengthened Guardiola. Two main personnel, Rodri (knee) and Phil Foden (ankle), are out, however, with Mateo Kovacic in doubt as well. City will have the lion share of possession as usual in a 4-3-3 and Erling Haaland is in the mood after scoring seven goals in pre-season.
Recent Pre-Season Results:
- Win: 0-3 vs Palermo (A)
- Club World Cup: Win: 5-2 vs Juventus; Loss: 3-4 vs Al Hilal
Head-to-Head Record
- May 2025: Man City 1-0 Wolves
- Oct 2024: Wolves 1-2 Man City
- May 2024: Man City 5-1 Wolves
- Sep 2023: Wolves 2-1 Man City
- Jan 2023: Man City 3-0 Wolves
Team News & Injury Updates
Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Out: Leon Chiwome (knee)
- Doubtful: Yerson Mosquera (match fitness)
- New signings: Jhon Arias, David Møller Wolfe, Emmanuel Agbadou
Manchester City
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Out: Rodri (knee), Phil Foden (ankle – late August return), Mateo Kovacic (Achilles)
Predicted Lineups
Wolves (4-2-3-1):
Sá; Lima, Gomes, Agbadou, Wolfe; Gomes, André; Arias, Bellegarde, Hwang; Strand Larsen
Man City (4-3-3):
Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Gvardiol, Aït-Nouri; Reijnders, Gündoğan, Silva; Cherki, Haaland, Doku
Key Battles
- Joao Gomes vs Ilkay Gundogan: The Wolves enforcer in midfield has to make sure Gundogan does not boss the game.
- David Moller Wolfe vs Jeremy Doku: This is a defensive debut of Wolfe against one of the leagues most explosive wingers.
- Jorgen Strand Larsen vs Ruben Dias: Aerial battle could disturb the City defence by the Norwegian.
Danger Men
Wolves:
- Jorgen Strand-Larsen 14 goals in the Norwegian league last year; header specialist and the player who sets up goals.
- Jhon Arias The Colombian is an attacking player and has just finished a great Club World Cup.
Man City:
- Erling Haaland Seven goals registered during the pre-season; deadly in and around the area.
- Rayan Cherki- The French lad brings about a fresh aspect to the City attack in the creativity department.
Betting Tips
- Both Teams to Score - Yes (Wolves have pace on the counter with Strand Larsen probable in the scenario to test City backline, who have already been rotated)
- More than 2.5 Goals (City matches hardly remain low-scoring because of their scoring ability)
- Any Time Goalscorer -Erling Haaland (in deadly mode ahead of the opener)
Match Prediction
Wolves will aim to frustrate City with snarling shape, and sharp counter-attacks, but the quality Guardiola side offers is too great even without Rodri and Foden. It will be an intense game in the first half but City should pull through with its depth and firepower.
Prediction: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-3 Manchester City
