Wolverhampton and Manchester City meet on Monday night, at 20:15, in the second round of the Premier League. Nuno Espirito Santo’s “Portuguese legion” has a huge share to impose on the “citizens” who have had problems with Molineux in the past. Castro cannot enter from the hosts, while City does not have Laporte and Aguero at his disposal.
Wolves started the new season of the Premier League with a right, with a victory on the field of Sheffield United (2-0), outlined in the first quarter of an hour. But then, in the English League Cup, the “wolves” surprisingly lost at home against local rival Stoke City, score 0-1, so that Wolverhampton left prematurely a competition that was valued in the past.
The hosts used several reserves at the start to prepare for the championship duel. Instead, City did not play in the first round and is in its first official match after a month. In the last appearance, Pep Guardiola’s team was eliminated from UCL by Olympique Lyon, score 1-3.
Curiously, Manchester City did not win in front of Wolves by three direct duels, being defeated in the last two matches: 2-3 and 0-2. Therefore, the “wolves” have every reason to hope for a new positive result, with good goal potential at the end of the match. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side scored after 80 minutes in each of City’s last two games, and card bets were profitable in those games.
All eyes will be on the individual achievements of the two stars in the group, Raul Jimenez (Wolverhampton) and Raheem Sterling (Manchester City). The first goal will be crucial in this match, especially since Wolves has won 15 of the 16 matches in which he opened the score on Molineux, in the last two seasons! Without Aguero in the team, the “citizens” will attack through Sterling, Mahrez and Gabi Jesus.
With a good possession game, Wolves hopes to surprise, and manager Nuno Espirito Santo said: “We have quality players, we must not start from the idea that we will be dominated from the start. We managed to get points against City by playing bravely and we will do the same this weekend “. Pep Guardiola will not change the tactical system this season, in which Manchester City is the favorite to win the title.
-He scored at most one of the teams in 3 of the previous 4 direct duels;
-Last season, Wolves ranked 3rd in the top of the second half results;
-Man. City covered the -1.5 handicap in 20 of the 26 victories last season;
-Raheem Sterling scored 14 goals in away games last season, most of PL;
-They have scored under 2.5 goals in 13 of the last 14 official matches played by Wolverhampton;
Wolves: Rui Patricio – Boly, Coady, Saiss – A. Traore, Dendoncker, Moutinho, Marcal – Podence, Jimenez, Neto
Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo
Man. City: Ederson – Walker, Garcia, Laporte, Ake – De Bruyne, Rodrigo, Gundogan – Mahrez, Jesus, Sterling
Coach: Pep Guardiola
PREDICTION: Manchester City to win @ 1,54
